My ’79 Terra Caught Fire & Burned

[Scott H]

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!

I'd pressure test the cooling system. That might tell you were the leak is?
Scott

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Here is what the upgraded fuse box looks like.

[Cal in Carl Jct]

Here is an update and request for help on rebuilding my burned Terra:
I have electrical problems after installing two new wire harnesses one under the dash and one under the hood. Both were built by Super Scout Specialist. I also installed a new instrument panel (plug & play) by The Scout Connection. I am not claiming that any one sent me faulty merchandise.

Before the fire and I had installed a remote start Solenoid to remedy the hot start problem. I decided to try it with with out adding a solenoid. Turning the key would not move the starter. I jumped it with a screw driver and it turned so I assumed it needed the solenoid even though it wasn't hot so I installed another one. It has not helped. I can get it to turn with my remote switch jumped across the solenoid but, not with the key. I have replaced my ignition switch because it was very hard getting the key to turn. I now have the new switch plugged in, but not mounted. I get nothing with the new switch, does it need to be grounded to work right? When I ground it with a jumper wire a red light comes on the custom instrument panel. I do get 12v at B1, B2 & B3 of the switch. I also get 12v at 13 and A when in the on position but get 0v when in the start position. I have the manual, but I am having a little trouble following the diagrams. SSS did not mark all the wires but, they did mark some. I do not understand the starting circuit as well as I would like to. If anyone can shed any light on this it sure would help!
TIA

[R290]

linking the pic's

[R290]

Take pic of the instructions and post those. It a bit hard to follow as I don't know if the SSS wiring is like stock? green wires with numbers.

[Cal in Carl Jct]

This is the final update on my burnt Terra.

Just a short recap:

My ’79 Terra caught fire under the hood due to squirrels chewing my fuel line. That fire caused an electrical fire under the dash.

Under the hood,

I had to replace the wire harness, distributer, carburetor, a/c compressor (I already had a good AMA compressor), dryer and hoses. I also replaced all other hoses fuel and vacuum lines. The starter gave me fits so I had it rebuilt after I replaced the remote starter solenoid. I still need a good (cheap) cruise control vacuum diaphragm. I did change the valley pan and valve cover gaskets too.

Inside the cab,

I replaced the entire dash and wire harness, stereo, glove box and door and the AMA-under dash a/c unit. I installed a custom instrument panel with round electronic gages. (purchased from Scout Connection) The wire harnesses were purchased from Super Scout Specialist. The harness and instrument panel all worked fine. I did manage to plug something into the wrong place, but finally figured that out. Because of the new gas gage, I had to pull the tank and replace the sending unit. My fiberglass half cab took 3 coats of Kilz, brushed on, before the smoke stopped bleeding through. I maybe could have used something better…I also had to replace the carpet and put down Dynamat. I caulked and painted all the seams. The windshield and seal had to be replaced, too.

The Nationals:

I got all this finished up the day I left for the nationals. The last time I had this Scout there was Y2K. She won first place as a Traveler. I drove from Joplin, MO to Chattanooga TN so I could convoy to Springfield OH with my 2 sons (one ’79 Scout II). It was the long way around, but it was fun even though we could only stay for Friday. We got off to a late start and had to drive all night. My round trip for one day at the nationals was exactly 1900 miles. It was worth it.

Head on Crash:

On the way we witnessed a BAD accident around 1:30 am at Richmond KY. We were only about 3 seconds, at most, behind the impact. We saw the swerving brake lights and the cloud of smoke and steam. Two women in a Jeep Liberty went Southbound down a north bound exit ramp onto the highway (I-75) and hit an 18 wheeler head on. The impact happened in the left lane. The driver said he swerved to miss them, but they kept moving the same direction. We drove through the diesel and glass to get past the wreck and parked way down in the ditch to avoid being in the way when emergency personnel showed up. My younger son is a PA and works a couple emergency rooms in Chattanooga. He thought he got a faint pulse on the driver then could not get it again he then ran to check the passenger, nothing. They were both dead. This experience reminded us of how abruptly our lives can end or be changed. Later that day an internet search stated that north bound traffic was blocked for 4 hours. If we stopped on the wrong side of the wreck we would have missed the nationals and if we had been 3 seconds sooner…who knows…

Here is a news clip about the wreck.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/2...129520893.html

[fredsterra]

Sorry to hear about the wreck.

Why don't you bring it up to the Midwest Classic May 25th-27th.

[hammer]

sorry to hear bout the fire . i bought my first scout a few months ago a 1976 terra i will be installing a fire extienguisher tomorrow and may thin the squirrel population in my neighboehood too.