My ’79 Terra Caught Fire & Burned

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Yesterday, I decided to change the oil. I got about a quart of coolant out of the pan. I did not notice any on the stick before I saw the coolant or after. I guess I will pull the intake tonight, that is probably where the leak is, that is where a lot of the fire was. I doubt it got the heads hot enough to leak. The 345 has about 108K. My question is, would it be a good idea to pull the heads and have them gone through since I’m so close to them anyway? I'd like some opinions on this...Thanks!

[kennyw]

Originally Posted by Cal in Carl Jct

Yesterday, I decided to change the oil. I got about a quart of coolant out of the pan. I did not notice any on the stick before I saw the coolant or after. I guess I will pull the intake tonight, that is probably where the leak is, that is where a lot of the fire was. I doubt it got the heads hot enough to leak. The 345 has about 108K. My question is, would it be a good idea to pull the heads and have them gone through since I’m so close to them anyway? I'd like some opinions on this...Thanks!

It looks like the valve cover did not get hot enough to burn the paint off. I would pull the valve covers and if there is no burnt oil or rust on the valves and springs then clean up the valve covers and put it back together.

[Doc Stewart]

In college, I put a new carb on a 59 chevy but used the old rubber fuel line. It ruptured and started a fire under the hood. I pulled to the shoulder and opened the hood then just stood there staring - not clue what to do. A guy stopped and started throwing dirt on the fire, putting it out.

I have done this twice - for other people. Nature's fire extinguisher: dirt.

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Hey Doc, Dirt is a good idea for putting out fires! My dirt was on the other side of a tall chain-link fince!

This is just an update of how things are coming along. I ordered two wire harnesses from Super Scout Specialist, one under the hood and one under the dash. Because of the backlog, they thought it would take about 10 weeks till they got mine built. That would make it around the 1st of November. I called and asked, they said hopefully 2-3 weeks more. Still waiting…

Since I ordered a custom instrument panel from The Scout Connection, I had to drop the tank and install a new sending unit to be compatible with the new gas gage. I changed all rubber lines, too. I have held off installing the new DUI distributer, inst panel, and rebuilt thermoquad because I want to install the harnesses first. That’s about it. Oh, I did pull the carpet & seats. I purchased some Dynamat, I think I want to apply that way up high below the wind shield, but I’m not sure how far down to go or even if I will use it. I did caulk all the seams before I repainted, even the rain gutter below the wipers. After all this I still have some rust to cut out, but I just want to drive a Scout again! I sold the one I was planning to keep, had to fix this one…long read…sorry.

[R290]

Wow that was a really nice Scout. Bummer

Yep dry chem ext causes mega rust overnight too.

I just bought a ColdFire extinguher to put in my scout. I guess I better hurry up and get it mounted.

[Greg R]

My heart sank when I stumbled on this. I'm worried about the Dodge Dart I've got stored in the barn.. But, I found out that other people who also had rodent problems started putting dryer sheets(those fabric softener dealies) in their rigs and that effectively keeps the critters out. So I went out and bought a couple packs. It seems to work so far.
Hope this can help someone else.

[rlogan]

That must have really hurt. My condolances. It was a fine looking ride.

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Thanks to everyone for all the kind replies. This Scout just falls under the category of "more stuff." I have learned again, the more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to deal with.
The fire was a shock at first but now it is on the list of many things that I need to get accomplished.
I did get an update on the wire harnesses that I ordered from Super Scout Specialist. I should have them both by the middle of next week. I do admit I that I will be a little apprehensive when I first turn the key after installing everything.
Again, thanks for all the support!

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Here is an update on my burnt Terra project:
While waiting for the wire harness to arrive I dropped the tank to replace the sending unit. It had to be replaced because the new gas gage that’s in my new instrument cluster, not installed yet, won’t work with the old unit. As you know, the real pain is is not dropping the tank it’s getting them back into the position that you need while applying pressure and guiding the filler and overflow hoses at the same time! On top of all that, it also has a skid plate. The factory location for the wire connector going to the sender unit and the hose clamp to the hard plastic line is really in a bad place (right between the bed & the frame/cross member) so I extended the wire and the hose for an easier removal if ever again. The inside of the tank was really clean, but the out side where the straps were was rusty and close to eating through so I cleaned & painted with rattle can anti rust then undercoated it and the straps with 3M spray can undercoat.

As I dismantled every thing, I put all the hardware in zip lock bags and marked them for easy assembly, however I don’t know where the bolts for my carb went. Can anyone give me the bolt dimensions?

My wire harnesses arrived this past Monday. I’m glad they finally got here I ordered them 6 months ago. I’m happy with how they look, see photo attachments. I thought the under hood harness would include the harness that attaches to the back of the fuse box, and goes forward to the headlights, but I guess not.

I have not been very motivated to get started with installing the harness, but I just have to keep my mind on the end result. That’s it for now…

[Cal in Carl Jct]

The photos didn't post...2nd try...
If they don't post this time I will send them from home, from my Mac!