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benherron
23-06-2010, 08:56 PM
Does/has anyone found a need to fireproof the engine bay of their car....how fireproof-ness is the fibreglass?

I saw this heat-resistant foil on flea-bay, is fairly cheap, but would the engine bay need it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEAT-SHIELD-MAT-HEAT-PROOFING-SHEET-SELF-ADHESIVE-FOIL-/160448206522?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item255b7556ba#ht_1861wt_1139

bushboy
23-06-2010, 09:03 PM
Fiberglass will burn, just ask Alex about the Nova mould used for heating!!!!

I'm running a V6 and have not found a need for fire proofing, just dont run the exhaust too close to the body.

bushboy

Spacenut
23-06-2010, 09:07 PM
The bodywork of the Nova is supposed to be layed up with fire-retardant resin, to a Lloyds specification, but like all polyester resins, it burns pretty well once it gets going. There have been one or two spectacular fires in the past, mainly due to leaking carbs on hot Beetle engines, but I don't think any of them could have been prevented by heat reflective foil, although obviously the foil looks nice :D

Lauren

benherron
23-06-2010, 09:21 PM
Exactly what I was weighing up.....whether it would actually do anything.

I was going to paint the engine bay, so are there any fireproof paints available? .... or will they do didilysquat too

Spacenut
24-06-2010, 08:06 AM
Heatproof, yes, but fire retardent, no. Seriously, I wouldn't worry about it. Use the heat reflective foil if you want to make the engine bay look shiney, keep an up-to-date fire extinguisher in the cockpit if you like, have an exit strategy in case of fire (like pushing out the side glass if canopy hydraulics fail etc.), and keep your fuel system in good order, no chafing of fuel lines, float chamber levels set, air and fuel filters clean etc.

Engine fires are very rare occurences, and happen mostly to poorly maintained vehicles. Given the time and effort most kit car builders expend on their cars, it is even less likely to happen to us!

Lauren

islandman
24-06-2010, 02:23 PM
I didn't want to take any chances so i have a plumbed in fire extinguisher system in place. The main canister is in the bonnet (or Hood for our US folk), with a release handle in the drivers compartment and its plumbed with 2 dispersant nozzles in the engine bay directed towards that carbs (on the basis thats where the fuel is sloshing about).

Haven't had to use them and hopefully never will :crossfinger:

CyCo
24-06-2010, 02:53 PM
I didn't want to take any chances so i have a plumbed in fire extinguisher system in place. The main canister is in the bonnet (or Hood for our US folk), with a release handle in the drivers compartment and its plumbed with 2 dispersant nozzles in the engine bay directed towards that carbs (on the basis thats where the fuel is sloshing about).

Haven't had to use them and hopefully never will :crossfinger:

Nice idea! Is the canister a standard fire extinguisher, or something else?

As for fires, I know the 'reek that's raced in the Classic Adelaide Targa had a fire before the start of the prolog, but it entered the event after missing two days to repair damage (done to engine if I remember). No damage to the fiberglass that I know of, as it was caught fairly quickly. That and there being plenty of fire extinguishers around. :wink:

CyCo
24-06-2010, 02:55 PM
Oh, I had a couple of spot fires in my 'reek last year, but that wasn't the engine bay, but in the cockpit!! No one in there, but the car was up on a hoist, and the floor was being welded. Not all the carpet was removed, and some of it...caught alight!! It's ok, the carpet needs replacing anyway. Yup, the carpet is still in the car. lol

benherron
24-06-2010, 05:47 PM
Awesome, one less thing to do...

islandman
25-06-2010, 03:40 PM
No it wasn't standard, it was one designed specifically for plumbed in systems, as such it has a higher capacity than the typical small hand held ones.

It can be seen here on the right side

http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww131/islandmanhere/Fire.jpg

CyCo
25-06-2010, 04:07 PM
That sure is a hefty looking fire extinguisher!!

:D

jimcub
25-06-2010, 11:58 PM
You have radiator and a fire system in the front, all I have is a battery and it seems full. Or do you have access to a Tardis feature

islandman
26-06-2010, 03:26 AM
no Tardis, but I do haver a cunning plan for further additions under the bonnet. I plan to make some fibreglass compartments at the sides to hold tools and other such junk that can be neatly hidden away as well as keep some extra weight at the front end.

rabs
27-06-2010, 09:39 PM
GPR burns well ....... my first car was nicked and torched ... I have photos some where
Sara (my Nova) had a small fire when I did the floor with a gas axe, put a hole in the floor and the centre console started to burn just the resin not the matting ..... made a mess but it was easily fixed and no one noticed at Newark … well no one said anything to me if they had. Thanks!
The exhaust on Sarah sits on NO the rear panel of the car sits the exhaust and its ok no problems with the heat …… friction that’s another problem. I have (at present) a 4 tip Monza unit (think that’s how it’s spelled) but it’s going to be changed real soon … I keep walking into it and it doing my shines no good at all.
It takes a flame and some time before the resin catches fire the engine would have to go up in flames to set the engine bay a light …… I think you would notice.
Rabs

Alzax3
27-06-2010, 09:46 PM
Well you won't burn the matting, it's glass.... and just about all that's left if you have a major fire!

rabs
27-06-2010, 09:56 PM
Alex
You should see the photos of the Davrian after the fire …….. it's just a 12 X 6 Ft burnt bit of new forest ….. it got real hot melted the Alloy block there was nothing left to pick up ...... I was very upset at the time but the insurance did come across (in the end) and I used the money as a down payment on a house ...... pleased the wife better than a GT pram.

wincharles
10-06-2011, 09:51 AM
Years ago I had the unfortunate experience of watching a friends VW-based Prova kit-car burn very very quickly after an engine fire. Luckily I was behind him and alerted him as soon as I saw smoke. The car had a lift up roof in a similar fashion to the Nova's and my friend was clear of the car when the fire took hold but it happened very quickly. As a result, and on the advice of a specialist, I had the Engine cover and rear body of my Nova coated in a crystic resin and then stuck the fire-proof foil over the top. Unfortunately I did not take note of the resin used but there are similar products out there . Hopefully, when my car is back on the road I can drive knowing that I have a few more seconds to get out in the event of a disaster.

:drive:

Peter
10-06-2011, 11:55 PM
Over kill? Stainless and chequer plate all round but not the lid, :whistling:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Ukhozi/Engine20bay20and20oil20filter.jpg
All the engine fires I have seen, including my Rover 217, were due to either faults, loose fuel lines etc or heat shields missing (Rover = back of head, over exhaust manifold + hot oil, woosh), If you are really worried about a fire in the engine bay plumb in a fire extinguisher.