[FC] Re: Corvanatics Digest, Vol 6, Issue 17

[Paul Steinberg]

I used to do a lot of fire restoration and it isn't as bad as it first appears.  Replacement wire harnesses are available from the Corvair vendors.  Once you remove the drive line from the truck then comes the clean up of the rear body.  Just make sure that you clean the metal totally and remove all traces of the old paint, caulk, etc.  New paint doesn't like fire ravaged metal, so the metal must be squeaky clean of any fire residue or the new paint will just peal off in a year or two.  I used to use paint stripper and then sand blast the metal with walnut shells to finish up the cleaning.  Then I would use Dupont Metal Prep on the bare metal and use a zinc chromate self etching primer over the bare metal.  Then a primer sealer and topcoat.  It takes time, but it is worth it in the end.  
As for the engine, just strip everything off and do a reseal on the block.  Replacement sheet metal is usually very available and reasonably priced, so I wouldn't bother with the old burned metal.  Rebuilt generator, carbs, distributor, etc. are all in order.  You are luckier than most..... If the fire had gotten into the cab, then there would be no rebuilding of the  truck.  
Did you have fire insurance on the vehicle????? If so, keep a detailed record of costs to get reimbursed from the insurance company... good luck, and in the end you will have a restored truck.... Paul in CT.... 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: WARD2WAYNE at aol.com 
  To: corvanatics at corvair.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 10:20 PM
  Subject: [FC] Re: Corvanatics Digest, Vol 6, Issue 17


  Hi all
  I'm having a rough day and hope I can get advice that will either make me  
  feel better or just finish it off.  This A.M. I  was driving my 61  Rampside to 
  work.  I hadn't driven it for a week
  because weather was great and I drove my 66 Monza convert instead.   Anyway I 
  used the
  choke to start the rampy and slowly kept backing off as I drove to  work.  
  3/4 of the
  way I heard a bang and looked in my rearview mirror to see flames across  the 
  back.
  I didn;t have my cell phone and did a 100 yard dash to a corner fire alarm  
  box.  When I
  got back to the truck the paint was blistering off the sides and  smoke was 
  pouring from the
  air intake vents on the sides.  Needless to say the entire top of the  motor 
  was burned
  bare of any rubber, plastic and anything that would burn by the time a fire  
  engine arrived.
  I took off the engine panel after it had cooled off as well as the  panel 
  over the transmission
  everything stopped inside the firewall. The outside of the body  looked  very 
  good before
   the fire and the engine only had 54,000 miles without a knock or  ping and 
  not smoke
  whatsoever.  The cab had some rust problems just behind the wheel  wells.  I 
  know it
  will need a paint job but have no idea what replacement for electrical  (plug 
  wires, ?  generator. coil, distributor and etc. Has anyone run   into this 
  and will I have to let go
  of a truck I bought 2 years ago. after wanted one since I some my first  
  rampside 44
  years ago?  I have a good mechanic but don't know if he will want  to tackle 
  this job
  Wayne Nickel
  61 rampside (old smoky)
  66 monza convert 
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