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More explosions, Starters

To: british-cars@Alliant.COM
Subject: More explosions, Starters
From: mit-eddie!tcgould.TN.CORNELL.EDU!garnett@EDDIE.MIT.EDU (Roger Garnett)
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 90 08:30:02 EST
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!


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