Strange how things happen.

Mart

Mart

Well-known member
You couldn't make it up.

I had been tinkering away on the 41 pickup getting the generator sorted. I've been testing the various generator combinations using my snap on timing light which has a tach function. Pos on the terminal on the coil, earth to engine, ht on a plug lead. been hooked up for a while ran the motor many times.

I have been wiring up the instruments and had connected up the fuel gauge to the sender. Turned the ignition on and there was a problem with the gauge. Temp gauge was ok, fuel gauge not ok. Noticed smoke through the gap between the hood and cowl. Switched the ignition off and nipped out and isolated the battery.

The wire from the ignition switch to the coil had fried. Completely melted the insulation. Nothing at all to do with the fuel gauge, that was just why I had the ignition on. Tested continuity from the hot lead on the coil and it was earthed. Only when I disconnected the timing light connector it suddenly wasn't earthed. I'd managed to connect the clip on the live and earth it to the coil body at the same time. What a ****. Stripped the harness out and took it in the house.

Went back out to the garage to get some tools to be met with a strong smell of fuel. Odd, I thought. I had replaced the needle valve and I just assumed it had suddenly let go, mentally telling myself to find a weaker spring for the fuel pump. I left it as I was sort of preoccupied with the harness problem. Went back out a little later and it was even worse, petrol all over the manifold.

WTF??

Ding! Light bulb moment. I had fitted a new fuel cap only last night. Bit chilly last night. Nice and warm today, though, eh? Loosened the cap to be met with a hissing, followed by a PWAH! as the cap came off.

Yup! a non vented cap, combined with a big temp rise.

Good job the letting the smoke out incident happened before the fuel everywhere incident. Could have been the other way round.

So, a couple of lessons learnt. So be smart and learn from my mistakes. Better than making them yourself.

Be careful people.

Mart.
 
I had the same problem with an el Camino I had stored in the parking garage of a condo I owned in Wisconsin. I had filled it up on a cold day and was going to leave it there when I went to Florida for the winter. I got a panicked call from the building manager when I was at the airport. Of course, he completely exaggerated the amount of gas that had spilled, but I had to cancel my flight and run back to the condo to check everything out and make sure everything was OK.

See? It could have been worse!
 
good for you!! sometimes we get lucky. i had a fire in the shop once...fire is a bad thing
 
Glad you avoided a disaster!
My old 69 Ford pu with the tank behind the seat used to dump gas out after fill ups, especially if the driver side was on the downhill side when parked.
 
I was told the term Limey originated during the time when British ships ruled the high seas. To prevent scurvy, the ships carried limes, instead of oranges or lemons, because they lasted longer.
Wether true or not, that’s what I have heard.
 
RalphM said:
I was told the term Limey originated during the time when British ships ruled the high seas. To prevent scurvy, the ships carried limes, instead of oranges or lemons, because they lasted longer.
Wether true or not, that’s what I have heard.
Click to expand...

correct. Also **** = berk (you must know your cockney slang)

GB
 
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