garnett@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu (Roger Garnett) (02/02/90)
A bit more on gas-tank safety: Within the last 2 months, there have been a couple of destructive gas related fires in the area. One was a small shop/gas station where a mechanic was draining the tank in a work bay, on his back, under the car. Suddenly, he saw a wall of flames rushing towards him. It appears that the fumes had worked their way into the office, where a kerosene heater was running, and ignited. The guy got out OK, but the *uninsured* building and contents were totaled. Not long after, a similar situation occured in a Tire dealer/shop, I beleive the cause was said to be a drop-light, which had indeed been dropped, broke, and ignited the car being worked on. Once again, all got out OK, the building was destroyed, and all of the tires burning made a *--* load of smoke. Be careful out there. Always have an extinguisher or 2 handy in your shop, rated for electical and flamables. And THINK! Andy writes: ...I turn the key; "click". "Click?" [...] I checked the wiring to the starter, and decided that it had given up the goast. [ghost :-)] ... I turn the key once more just in case, and the engine cranks. My 'B starter has *always* been sorta like this. [I have had it apart and reconditioned the soloniod contacts] Starting is often: {turn key on, tic,tic, tic.tic...tic...(fuel pump ok, lets go!)} click, click, click, click, Verrr-err-Wha-hoome! But, except when the batteries are too old and decrepit, it always starts. Which is OK for a street car. but seeing as this one is race-prepped, you may want to rebuild or procure new. You might check out Dave Bean, the Lotus folks, who advertise a modern, high energy, starter, for B's, (and others), with their name on it. You pays your money, and it'll *always* work. :-) ________ / _ \ Roger Garnett (garnett@tcgould.TN.CORNELL.EDU) / /|| \ \ Agricultural Economics | |\/ || _ | 3 Warren Hall | South Lansing Centre For | | || | | Cornell University | Wayward Sports Cars \ ||__/ / Ithaca, N.Y. 14853 | (607) 533-7735 \________/ (607) 255-2522 | SAFETY FAST!