[DeTomaso] Tale of Caution

Dave McManus dave at damardirect.com
Tue Apr 26 08:36:26 EDT 2011


Did you find out why the Miata would not start?

-----Original Message-----
From: David in Durango [mailto:adin at frontier.net] 
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 12:31 PM
To: Art Stephens; panteras
Cc: TPR List
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Tale of Caution

Thanks for the tips, Art!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Art Stephens" <artstephens at verizon.net>
To: "David in Durango" <adin at frontier.net>; "panteras" 
<detomaso at realbig.com>
Cc: "TPR List" <tpr at teampanteraracing.com>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Tale of Caution


> Dear Sparky,
> Good call on the garden hose. Whenever I am starting an engine for the 
> first time or doing anything like that, I try to keep a charged garden 
> hose nearby. When welding, I keep a bucket of water with a rag in it so I 
> can douse a small flame before it gets too big, and at least one fire 
> extinguisher nearby, I suggest this for any potential fire situation. I 
> talked to a guy who serviced fire extinguishers and he said the most 
> common problem was that if the dry chem units sit too long, the powder can

> cake up and not flow. So now I always turn the extinguisher upside down 
> and tap the bottom and shake it, (the extinguisher as well as my bootie), 
> every time I have it out and ready to use. If a dry chem extinguisher is 
> used at all, I mean if ANY powder flows out the nozzle, it needs to be 
> recharged, even if the gauge shows full. The powder apparently keeps the 
> valve from making a complete seal and the unit will lose pressure at some 
> point in time. You may not notice this until it is time to use it, don't 
> ask how I know. So check the gauge and shake the extinguisher frequently. 
> I keep two extinguishers in the Pantera, having already had one fire with 
> the car, a small one and a bigger one in case the small one doesn't get 
> the job done or doesn't work.
>
> Art
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David in Durango" <adin at frontier.net>
> To: "panteras" <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Cc: "TPR List" <tpr at teampanteraracing.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:36 AM
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Tale of Caution
>
>
>> "It was kind of exciting, with fire and everything!
>>
>>
>>
>> When cranking over the engine, fuel gushed out the secondary vent tube. "
>>
>> OK kids, listen up!
>>
>> A couple of winters ago I was converting the V8 Miata from EFI to carb. 
>> This involved a fuel pressure regulator and a new HEI ignition system.
>>
>> First, I plumbed in the fuel system.  Everytime I checked for leaks I had

>> one fitting that would leave a gas smell on my fingers.  Eventually, this

>> was fixed (I thought) so I hooked up the ignition system and tried to 
>> start the car.
>>
>> No start.  WTF? I says to myself.
>>
>> Check the fuel, yep pressure. Try it again. . . ..  no start.
>>
>> Better check for spark . . . .
>>
>> Even a small fire, in the garage where the Pantera lives (that is 
>> connected to the house) is a BIG freakin' fire.  (Hint: turn off the fuel

>> pump before jumping out the a flaming car.  Trush me.)
>>
>> So, I picked up the fire ext. placed by the car (I thought I was no dummy

>> . . .guess again) which oozed some stuff out of the nozzle that dripped 
>> on my shoe. (sound familiar old tymers?) Fire is getting bigger.
>>
>> $#^&^&$%   run in the adjoining kitchen for a salad bowl full of water. 
>> If you guessed this WASN'T enough water you win the prize.
>>
>> While I'm having visions of a melted Pantera and a crsipy house (burning 
>> car is on jack stands, no chance to push it out side) I calmly walke out 
>> the garage door, picked up the garden hose, turned it on full and put the

>> fire out.  Note to self: don't forget to spin the motor without plugs to 
>> clear the water.
>>
>> I believe the barely detectable gas leak had leaked a puddle onto the 
>> carpet below (safety hint).
>>
>> Be careful, have a back up and don't mess with gas in a closed area.
>>
>> Grouch and Dirty Safety Hint #1
>> "yes, we've got spark!"
>>
>>
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>
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> signature database 6069 (20110425) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
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>
> 


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