i was driving down the street and my car died. i coasted into a parking lot and tried to restart it but when i attempted this it caught fire under the hood. the 350 was stock. i was wondering what might have caused this... also i want to restore it and was wondering where to start this is my first attempt at anything like this so any and all advice will be useful and much appreciated. thanks josh

 

Well first, Where exactly under the hood did it catch??? If you could post pictures of your car, it'd help us to point you in the right direction for a restore. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me, when I get around to having a resto project, I'd start with the motor, get the vehicle running good. then everything else. It took me awhile to understand this, but what I think costs the most in a resto is the freaking tools. Also what are your skills, if you have no automotive skills thats fine. thats how many of us learn, Just start slow go from there.

 

probably a backfire thru the carb started the fire? did it go poooof when u tried starting it?

 

hey thanks for the reply... it was on the carb and it did go poof....and yes i deffenately want to do the engine first but don't where to begin. im sure that i will need a new wiring harness and was wondering if that is where i should start, after i figure out how to get the fire extinguisher gew all cleaned off. and as far as my automotive skills go i am just starting out. and thanks again man and i will also get up pics as soon as possible but it is at my moms place now and it has been sitting since late fall

 

hey thanks gary,
yeah i will deffenately get those in asap

 

I doubt you have a thick pocketbook, so where to begin is a lil difficult. The easiest way to take care of the engine is, buy a mostly stock crate engine, like this http://www.jegs.com/p/GM-Performance...52506/10002/-1 Thats not cheap. You can have an automotive shop rebuild your engine. I had a 350 rebuilt for $1,000. Or you can do it yourself, buy a rebuild kit, if you were to go that route, make sure theres someone that can help you. Not saying it can't be done just by you, but it helps when theres someone that knows all bout it. A new wiring harness is not a bad way to start, and its relativley simple. I have gotten rid of a truck, and passed up buying a couple, just because of harness issues. For me wiring is the worst part of anything, be it a car or a plane. Pictures are great, though I have no good pics yet, they are coming.