Fire is not good. Witness the awful stories of pilots who jumped out of
their cockpits rather than being burned alive.
Our racing was nearly finished on the FIRST outing on a spring test day
in 1992. The bottom screw dropped out of one of the Strombergs and the
pumping gas lit off on the exhaust manifold.
A Lotus Seven spotted the flames, pointed at the bottom of the car, and
Sean came into the pits still unaware of the problem. When he came to a
stop it became apparent. Two of the first three of the fire bottles did
not work after being stored all winter. Disaster seemed imminent with
this brand new race car.
Repainted the hood and tidied up the engine compartment. Perhaps the
Nomex went to the dry cleaners. Got off easy.
Another dear friend had his car light up with a gas line rupture near
the firewall as he came through Canada Corner. Although he moved swiftly
it is never as fast as it can be when you are in a tightly closed GT
coupe and surrounded by rollcage. He was OK. I think he has Aeroquip
now.
This could be a very valuable thread....thanks for asking the original
question Kevin.
Glad you are still with us, Chip. Having a right hand drive car is neat
but obviously has its drawbacks.
> ----------
> From: Chip Bond[SMTP:spirals@esinet.net]
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 1998 12:41 PM
> To: 'Bownes, Robert M. (EXCH)'
> Cc: 'fot@autox.team.net'
> Subject: Roasty Toasty
>
> Kevin.
>
> >From experience I can say the the only safe way to fix that problem
> is to
> buy a -4 alloy union, and go to the best welding/machine shop you can
> find.
> Have them cut the union in half through the center of the hex portion,
> cut
> off and drill out the brass tube. Then TIG the half union into place
> permanently.
>
> Please do not try to adapt any braided line/ aguipt fittings to the
> brass
> tube itself. Get rid of it.
>
> When mine let go, the break was in the brass tube, INSIDE of the float
>
> chamber cover. It was at speed and (being a right hand drive car) the
> flames were at my face , my feet, everywhere.
>
> When you finally realise you have no choice but to stick your left
> foot
> into the flames and work the brake pedal to stop the car, you VERY
> much
> appreciate the quility of your drivers suit.
>
> Kevin, that is a very good observation, the original set-up is
> antiquated
> and can in no way survive the constant vibration of these cars in
> racing
> trim.
>
> Best racing wishes,
> Chip
>
>
> ----------
> From: Bownes, Robert M. (EXCH)[SMTP:RMBOWNES@intermedia.com]
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 1998 12:04 PM
> To: 'FOT@autox.team.net'; 'Kevin O'Driscoll'
> Subject: RE: TR4/A Gas Lines
>
> While I cannot answer on the TR4 in particular, I do have an opinion
> on
> the subject...:-}
>
>
> >Dear FOT's,
> >I have two questions regarding Gas Lines on the TR4 and TR4A series.
> The
> >push fit original gas line seems to be a rather less than a safe
> >arrangement for the racing environment.
>
> Most of what Triumph did in the brake & fuel dept is somewhat less
> than
> satisfactory in a race environment...
>
> >Q1: What options are recommended as alternatives?
>
> Replace all fittings with aeroquip.
> Replace all rubber line with Aeroquip braided stainless.
> Replace all steel line with new steel line. (if it's more than a few
> years old)
> If you are racing and the sanctioning body will allow it, spend the $$
> and buy a foam filled fuel cell. Even a plastic non filled cell (drag
> racers
> use 'em) might be better than a steel one, but I won't go play in
> traffic
> without a real cell.
>
> The first 3 will cost you about $100. I sleep alot better nowadays,
> but
> I still worry about the fittings on the SU's, esp after Chip's Roasty
> Toasty
> Adventure.
>
> >Also as a subquestion what do people do about relocating
> >the gas pump away from the engine, and what alternative pumps are
> >recommended?
>
> Race cars should all have fuel pumps in the trunk, near the fuel cell.
> Easier to hear them ticking over there when the car isn't running. :-}
> Fuel pump manufacturer of choice seems to be Mallory, but I have an
> older Facet, which works pretty well. If you are going racing, put in
> an
> inversion cutoff switch.
>
> >Q2: What was the original routing of the gas line for the
> >IRS frame vs. the old TR4 ladder frame, and are these considered safe
> by
> >modern standards?
>
> Can't help there.
>
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
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