The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Exhaust flame throwers

Anybody install these before? I have a 48 chevy 1/2 ton with dual exhaust. I have the electrical portion for the flame throwers done. The spark plug does spark, must not have enough gas fumes in the exhaust to ignite. Is there a way to route gas to the exhaust or any pther tricks?

It's irresponsible, and illegal in most places to have any sort of flame-producing device in an exhaust system. Yes, I know how to do it. No, I'm not going to tell you!
Jerry

Its not for street use, for show. Do I just need to adjust the carb to run richer?

In VA even if you use them for "show" only and not on the street, and if you are found on the street with the hardware it's against the law.

Grigg

There are a lot of ways to do it. Most of them are illegal, dangerous or down right deadly. There are even some companies that sell kits, and even those kits have so many disclaimers attached that it is obvious that they are covering their butts for liability if something goes wrong.

Most of the methods to make flames have inherent dangers that you just can't get around. Those that are especially dangerous are ones that use excess fuel from the intake manifold. These issues include catalytic converter loading, muffler explosions, exhaust pipe explosions, fuel in the crankcase, blown gaskets, body fires, the list goes on and on.

It is obvious from your first post that you don't have a clear understanding of how to install and operate a safe system of producing flames at the exhaust tip. ( Which is good since there are none that are risk free )

I agree, it may look really cool, but leave this toy to the pros.

According to a friend of mine who makes & sells flamethrowers under the name Superflames you need to have a switch that when you flip it kills the ignition & fires the spark plugs. You rev the engine first. When you kill the ignition, the unburnt fuel travels down the pipe & is fired by the spark plugs in the tail pipes. You can see a video here.

I have a starter pushbutton. I rev the engine, push the button,the spark plugs fire, the engines starts dying, and no flames come out. Is the carb set too lean maybe? Or do I continue to push the button in repetitions?

Dunno. Maybe time to call the manufacturer.

We truck enthusiasts don't need any bad attention drawn to us with lawmakers trying to weed us out as it is. We had one dork out of 200 at the KC reunion do a burnout in the parking lot and ruined some asphalt that the show promoters have to repair. That show was a charity drive and the kids that were going to benefit from it didn't get what was raised because of the damage. I would advise against the flamethrowers and anything else that could degrade the hobby. Just my two cents,
Scott

Here is the Virginia law covering these things:
§ 46.2-1086. Devices for emission of smoke screens, gas projectors or flame throwers; prohibited.

It shall be a Class 6 felony to install or to aid or abet in installing, in any manner, in or on any motor vehicle any device, appliance, equipment, or instrument of any kind, character, or description, or any part of such device, appliance, equipment, or instrument, designed for generating or emitting smoke, thereby creating what is commonly known as a "smoke screen," or of emitting any gas or flame which may be a hindrance or obstruction to traffic. It shall also be a Class 6 felony to knowingly possess or drive on the highways any motor vehicle so equipped.

Additionally, the driver's license of any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be suspended for six months from the date of conviction.

As found here: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1086

If you can afford to lose your drivers license for half a year then I say go for it, could be fun... think of all the new and different folks you'll meet on the bus, or hitch hiking.
Also sounds like if someone helps you install them they could be in about as much trouble as you could be.

Just consider the safety aspect and if that is not enough to change your mind, then think about the legal consequences.

Grigg

Nevermind the risk of wiping out the rings and bearings in your engine from feul dilution. We had a guy do just that a few years back at a car show during a flame thrower exhibition. It was an organized event, the exhibition was a planned event, with proper safety personell present and the crowd was cordened off from the area.

Looks too costly to me to take the chance. How about doing something just as silly but less dangerous to the rest of us that might be around like neon lights or painting your truck pink. You will get the same about of attention, but won't kill us/you during the process.

do it. just because i wouldn't, don't mean you shouldn't. i'll be the devil on your shoulder- blow stuff up!! just don't do it around me. hahaha

Good advice here on the Bolt. BTW thank you for your service to our country. Go NAVY!!!

Although the flamethrowers LOOK COOL they sure look like an expensive way to loose your vehicle due to fire or at the minimum cause some pretty costly engine repairs, Geeeze I try like heck to make sure my old truck doesnt backfire through the exhaust let alone intentionally do it.
Just my 2 pennies.
BUT to each his own if your gonna play with these things do your homework and make sure it is working right, well as right as this mod can be ...lol
Tim