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I need to send a HUGE shout-out to my new HEE-rows, Farenschell (Seth) and Russell.
After cleaning up at Maxton - in the rain - Seth and Russell agreed to help me load the Buzz Bomb. So we hooked the trailer back onto the Dakota, got out the ramps, etc. and I fired up the 'Bomb to drive it on. Little did I know I ACTUALLY FIRED it up. To shorten the story a bit, a brass B-nut (trade lingo for the nut on a compression fitting) on the outlet of the fuel pressure regulator had failed and sprayed fuel all over the engine. It was just dumb luck that it didn't fail during a run. Evidently, when I hit the starter something sparked and the whole deal went up in flames. We got the hood up and I did what I usually do - stood there sizing up the situation. Russell took a wiser course of action and removed his T-shirt and started beating out the flames. Seth followed immediately thereafter. The whole right side of the engine was on fire and it was a no BS fire, not a little poof. We eventually thought to get some water from my cooler and finish dousing whatever was on fire in the right wheel well. Remember, all the while it was raining cats & dogs.
Damage looks like:
Plug wires, wiring to the starter & distributor, distributor cap (maybe), side cover gaskets - and who knows what else. It's raining here today so I haven't dug into it yet. I'll have to at least patch it together so I can get it started and off the trailer to make the final repairs.
A lesson for you young-uns - don't trust hardware store brass fittings. I'll make a list and head to our local Parker-Hannifin dealer for some decent bits - there's a reason that the good stuff costs more. I'm thinking this may be the time to switch to a fuel cell and replumb the whole deal in stainless (I ran LOTS of SS lines at the EPA). Second lesson - carry a fire extinguisher IN THE TOW VEHICLE. I have a lovely one - in the shop. Next purchase!
We then had to get a non-running HEAVY race car onto an open trailer. Russell hit on the idea of driving the trailer into a conveniently-placed hole there on the grounds. This put the trailer almost level to the paved driveway and the two of them pushed me on - worked like a champ. I suggest that all racing facilities install such a hole just for these situations. Anyhow, it was then just a matter of tying the 'Bomb down and calling it a day.
So -
BIGGEST THANKS TO THESE GUYS!!!!!! I'd still be there if not for you two.
Dan
And a HUGE thank you from me. I like having Dan home and more-or-less safe. I really appreciate your help.
Mary Ellen
After cleaning up at Maxton - in the rain - Seth and Russell agreed to help me load the Buzz Bomb. So we hooked the trailer back onto the Dakota, got out the ramps, etc. and I fired up the 'Bomb to drive it on. Little did I know I ACTUALLY FIRED it up. To shorten the story a bit, a brass B-nut (trade lingo for the nut on a compression fitting) on the outlet of the fuel pressure regulator had failed and sprayed fuel all over the engine. It was just dumb luck that it didn't fail during a run. Evidently, when I hit the starter something sparked and the whole deal went up in flames. We got the hood up and I did what I usually do - stood there sizing up the situation. Russell took a wiser course of action and removed his T-shirt and started beating out the flames. Seth followed immediately thereafter. The whole right side of the engine was on fire and it was a no BS fire, not a little poof. We eventually thought to get some water from my cooler and finish dousing whatever was on fire in the right wheel well. Remember, all the while it was raining cats & dogs.
Damage looks like:
Plug wires, wiring to the starter & distributor, distributor cap (maybe), side cover gaskets - and who knows what else. It's raining here today so I haven't dug into it yet. I'll have to at least patch it together so I can get it started and off the trailer to make the final repairs.
A lesson for you young-uns - don't trust hardware store brass fittings. I'll make a list and head to our local Parker-Hannifin dealer for some decent bits - there's a reason that the good stuff costs more. I'm thinking this may be the time to switch to a fuel cell and replumb the whole deal in stainless (I ran LOTS of SS lines at the EPA). Second lesson - carry a fire extinguisher IN THE TOW VEHICLE. I have a lovely one - in the shop. Next purchase!
We then had to get a non-running HEAVY race car onto an open trailer. Russell hit on the idea of driving the trailer into a conveniently-placed hole there on the grounds. This put the trailer almost level to the paved driveway and the two of them pushed me on - worked like a champ. I suggest that all racing facilities install such a hole just for these situations. Anyhow, it was then just a matter of tying the 'Bomb down and calling it a day.
So -
BIGGEST THANKS TO THESE GUYS!!!!!! I'd still be there if not for you two.
Dan
And a HUGE thank you from me. I like having Dan home and more-or-less safe. I really appreciate your help.
Mary Ellen
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