<VV> Post on wiring / carb backfire

[UltraMonzaWest@aol.com]

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

I knew if I waited long enough......LOL

1   An electrical short will not cause a fire unless enough HEAT is 
generated!

The way the cars / harnesses are designed by GM....this cannot 
happen...unless "someone" does something to "pinch /clamp"  the wire well enough to make the 
wire act as heater....

To test this...take a small wire....from Battery "positive"...and using 
something to hold it steady...move it INTO  a ground......when it touches..BAM   
fuse blows....oh  no fuse???   the end of the wire melts and the short is 
gone...simple...fast....

Now try it with a 10-12 ga.    same scenario!...even a battery cable!

BUT  if it's CLAMPED....instant heater!  glowing RED it's whole length  until 
it melts.....

And yes..that's why automakers added fusible links......hard to find if you 
don't know [ stops idiots from "fixing"]......

Note:  a simple / cheap 50 amp fuse at the junction block in the engine 
compartment will protect you.....except for the battery cable........


2   A carb "backfire"  is a "flashfire"...not a blowtorch...

We've all seen engine that wouldn't start for various reasons....backfire 
thru the carb and a flame ensue...BUT...

An engine running [20 miles]  will have no excess gasoline in the manifold, 
etc.....the metal will be hot enough to vaporize everything!

Obviously something mechanical happened.....cam stopped working...cylinders 
now BLOWING back every revolution, etc., or the Carb  decided to flood 
excessively...and the guy wasn't smart enough to shut off the 
engine....electrical....who knows....

Then of course he opened the hood to SEE  what was wrong...WRONG...Fire likes 
AIR......

I've had this happen a few times.....usually able to smoke 2 cigarettes 
before the fire / smoke stopped.......never lost more than a paint job on a 
hood....never carry a fire extinguisher!



Matt Nall / Patiomatt / WCUH / Chairman V V
69 Monza Cpe., 66 Monza vert, 65 Crown v8 Cpe.
Somewhere between Reno, NV and Coos Bay, Or.