2000-register
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Spontaneous combustion

To: jonmac <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Spontaneous combustion
From: "Terry & Cindy O'Beirne" <esp@hypermax.net.au>
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 17:16:27 +1000
The term spontaneous combustion is not applicable to a material 
like petrol. The term relates to materials like wood dust, coal dust etc 
that oxidises and because of its enviromnent, is unable to dissipate the 
heat of oxidation. Temperature then steadily increases (and the rate of 
oxidation also increases , exacberating the problem) till the products 
"spontaneously combust"

Having said that, the problem of fuel vaporising in SU's etc is 
well know here in Oz. The usual "cures" include;
insulating blocks between carby & manifold
"'           "'       "'  mech fuel pump & engine block.
disposing of water heated manifold
insulated fuel lines that are connected to the block
ducting of air into the engine bay
fitment of a front spoiler to create a negative pressure zone and hence 
force air thru the rad & engine bay

In race cars, we actually use fuel coolers which are usually consist of 
a tin containing ice, thru which the line is routed

A contingent of Aust healey owners just drove thru the Northern 
territory and part of northern West Australia so i guess they solved the 
 problems 

Terry o'Beirne



<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>