OMG! I am still shaking,...

Started my truck in my carport to warm it up bfore going out. It was idling rough when I haerd a loud BOOM! Ran over and fire in progress. Was mostly at back of engine bay near firewall. I dont know how it started but maybe the heater wiring? I did try the defrost this morning to see if it worked. It took a second or 2 and I thought it didnt work, but then the blower started working.

I just got the truck smogged and licensed last week. Looks like a wire that is near to thermostat at the front of the motor (77 4X4 with a 460) has the insulation way burnt back showing a bundle of bare copper wires. May have been moved when spraying down with water but I dont know.

Sick to my stomach. The bundle of wires that goes along the firewall looks toast. Also when the fire was in progress the starter was cranking and a few lights were on even with the key removed from the dash.

Gosh we are so lucky. My carport could have gone up, wifes car was beside it and my other truck was ifo of it. Could have happened on the road,... man, my mind is racing. I dont even know where to start to get it fixed.

 

im sorry to hear that. almost sounds like it might have back fired through the carb. mine looks to have been on fire at one time in its life too. there are a couple ways you could repair it. splice new wire on and piece it back together(gonna take alot of time and effort), you could go the junk yard and pull a harness for around 40 or 50 bucks, or painless sells an updated wire harness for our trucks for around 5-600 bucks. a little on the pricey side, but it will look nice and comes with an updated fuse block that uses ato type fuses and adds some relays for things like the headlights.

was your carb leaking fuel or anything?

 

i think there was a back fire through the carb. I have heard it a couple times before, small ones when first started. Never as large as tis. I dont believe there was a fuel leak, but hard to say now.

Painless? Do you have a link? I will google.

 

did you have an air filter on it? painlessperformance.com

 

yes. Installed a universal chrome Mr Gasket one. Edelbrock 4barrel with edelbrock 460 performer intake.

 

Scary for sure - had 1 carb fire before, luckily got it out right away.

I just re-wired my truck, it was surprisingly easy, used the harness offered from the company below.



Kwik Wire ~ Products

 

also check centech and ron francis for complete wiring kits they are a little cheaper than painless but same quality imo

 

I had a small fire once, maybe 2006?. Somewhat long story, hope it doesn't intrude...

Same situation, it was a cold day and I fired up the truck to tune the carbs a little and it backfired. That set of carbs did not have a choke or anything.

I was like screw-it and proceeded to go inside, but decided to go ahead and close the hood when I noticed a fire along the side of the carbs and valve cover, and I was like WTF?

Ran into the garage and grabbed the fire extinguisher and by that time the fire was just starting to spread, got it put out no problem. Even got the hose out and sprayed off the extinguisher residue. Put all my tools away, hose away, hood closed and then I hear it.... damn fire trucks are coming. Who the hell called them? So I debated, Di I close the garage door and go inside acting like nothing happened or just wait?

I waited, 3 fire engines, 4 or 5 volunteer trucks and a couple more trucks pull up. Shouting about some fire, I was like where were you 30 minutes ago? Then they demanded to see the engine and interior for "smoke" damage and also demanded to know why the engine backfired...

I was like do you see that engine? Yes
Do you see the dual carbs and ram air? Yes
Do you see the racing gauges inside? Yes

It's a freaking racing engine, and it's freakin' cold out, get lost!

Psssht!

I'm thankfull for fire fighters, but their attitude sucked and I wished whoever called would have come over AFTER they called and said something.

Josh

 

Same thing happened to mine when I first bought it. Check your fuel line for any cracks or splits. Mine lit up right next to the gas pumps. I made the attendant give me a bucket of ice while I pushed the truck away from the pumps. Fire dept. showed up after. I told them everything was fine and they rolled out.

 

which one did you get? the 14 circuit one?

 

Is there a wiring kit you can get that comes with a updated fuse box? An would it work even with factory A/C an cruise? I got a 74 an I am updating it with cruise & factory A/C.

 

yea there are also universal harnesses that will allow a whole lot more ciruits.

 

Painless Performance: 1966-1977 Ford Bronco Chassis Harness with Switches

 

thanks for the link. OMG that is expensive!!

 

Are there any besides Painless that has the new fuse box an everything for it. An no some of the prices on Painless are not painless but pricey. An thenine are you having any luck with your truck? What is the update on it? Hope you get it back good as it new an hate to hear bout it but it could have been worse an at least no one got hurt.