There's been a casualty.

[txjeeptx]

Glad you got it put out before it got to the interior, and that it wasn't out somewhere on the road or somewhere remote.

Looking at the picture of the outside of the hood, thinking forensically, the burns are stronger on the passenger side of the hood, indicating that the fire may have had more time burning over on that side. You say you had recently replaced the fuel pump. The hard line fitting leading out of it may have been a leak source. Also suspect that the boom you heard might have been an overcharged battery going off, starting the fire. How long before the fire was the car last run? If it was still hot from a trip around town, it could have started anywhere(carb dripping fuel from stuck float-onto a hot exhaust, valvecover oil leak on exhaust, trans ATF leak on exhaust), but if it had some time to cool, but the battery was overcharged, it could have taken some time to short out and result in the boom. I guess what I'm asking is, does the battery look just melted, or does it look like it blew out a side or something? Whatever caused the fire, evidence of it might have been destroyed in the fire's burn time, and it'll probably get replaced in the rebuild. I like your idea of buying a cheap XJ and just doing a complete fuel system swap(possible engine swap, trans swap, rear axle swap?). Yes, burned automotive sheet metal rusts fast, and it also has lost some of its structural integrity(annealed). You might want to get another hood to start fresh with.

I had a fuel pump fail on one of my past Jeeps with the 4.2, and it sent a dribble of fuel down the block along the distributor boss. I stopped to investigate the fuel smell and noticed the fuel-soaked passenger side of the engine, and knew I was in for a hike. In the days before cell phones, I walked a few miles to call home, back when that only cost a dime. I got lucky with that one.

[tougeagle]

That's the way Caroline is. She wouldn't let me get her through emissions or let me drive her too far without hiccups until i had everything in place and working properly. Every single possible corner I cut came back to bite me in the butt, and I had to step back and look at 'er and go "alright, fine, you win, I'll get you done right and the way you need to be". She still runs pretty lean, but no shavings and no knocking........

Whew... I was really worried at first. I mean, she looks bad... but man, it could have been so much worse. You actually got off pretty good. All your plastic still looks good, you still have bumper caps, interior survived...

You just need some upper engine work, a wiring harness, hoses, and paint that hood... and of course you need to figure out what caused it...

...but considering what could have happened... be happy bro. Your Eagle will fly again! Stay focused. Now you can rebuild her... make her stronger... faster... more agile... then it... it wil be alive! ALIVE!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *hiccup*

Sorry, I get carried away sometimes...

Oh I know it'd could've been much much worse! My mom was like "What if you were in it when it happened?!" I just kept staring at the particles melting off in flames and wanting the firemen to put it out much much faster so it would salvage more. It was so distressing though. I'm just at a loss of words.

The grills is pretty much shot but I think I have a spare, but danget I just painted that one along with the headlight frames...:<

My dad's working on getting my Kammback up and going so I can get to and from school. Who knows how long this rebuild will take...a lot of money that I don't have right now. My dad was like "Maybe it's a sign that we need to perfect it before you drive it, you know, lift it more like you wanted and such." All I could do was stare at him. Haha.

[apes17]

Glad you got it put out before it got to the interior, and that it wasn't out somewhere on the road or somewhere remote.

Looking at the picture of the outside of the hood, thinking forensically, the burns are stronger on the passenger side of the hood, indicating that the fire may have had more time burning over on that side. You say you had recently replaced the fuel pump. The hard line fitting leading out of it may have been a leak source. Also suspect that the boom you heard might have been an overcharged battery going off, starting the fire. How long before the fire was the car last run? If it was still hot from a trip around town, it could have started anywhere(carb dripping fuel from stuck float-onto a hot exhaust, valvecover oil leak on exhaust, trans ATF leak on exhaust), but if it had some time to cool, but the battery was overcharged, it could have taken some time to short out and result in the boom. I guess what I'm asking is, does the battery look just melted, or does it look like it blew out a side or something?

 You might want to get another hood to start fresh with.

(I broke down the quote a bit so I could answer accordingly)

It hadn't been five minutes since it was last running. I got home from school, which is about a fifteen minute drive back home from downtown Portland and I went inside to get into my pajamas (haha) and like I said, it wasn't five minutes later that I heard the big BAM!

The battery looks (at least to me, not sure what my dad thinks) like a big hardened ball of black foam.

I'm thinking a new hood is in need as well. At first my dad said "all it needs is to be sanded down..." but then he looked at it again, "well, maybe a hood."

I'm so glad the interior is fine save for the smell. As soon as the firemen opened the front door and pointed the hose I was like "PLEASE NO!" in my head. The only damage done to the inside was a public library book that got covered in hose matter that was sitting on the passenger side floorboard where the foam must've seeped through from the front. I'm trying to dry it out so I don't have to pay for it.

[68AMXGOPAC]

 I have a power bulge hood off an 82 SX/4 , but I think shipping would be the killer, as I am out on the east coast,if you get stuck for one let me know, any wiring I have would of been off the same car.

[DAVE]

I want to thank all of you for the help that you have given us there is no way that i can express tha gratitude that i have for all of you that are helping with parts and moral support
Thanks DAVE

[IowaEagle]

It sure is great to see the response so far.  I have a hood with some slight damage too, but again, getting it to you would be counterproductive to trying to save you folks some money.

I should mention, the fuel pump I am sending you came from Mavericke to me as a "grab bag" goodie from the meet.  It is new in the box and was part of the treasure trove of parts Mavericke received in the cars from EagleGrouch.  So it has passed thru a few hands starting in NY and making its way out to Oregon.

[IRON HORSE]

Hello Dave  & apes17,

         The package went out today about 10:00 AM, I'll email you with the tracking number.

                                                                                                Enjoy, Iron Horse

[priya]

So, who's car is this, Dave's or Apes17's?  Or are they the same person?

[68AMXGOPAC]

It is Apes17 , Dave is her Dad. 

[IowaEagle]

Fuel pump mailed priority mail, today.

[apes17]

I can't thank everyone enough for just sending stuff to us. Seriously! Thank you! You didn't have to do that but you are such kind people that you did!

Priya, I am April (or Apes17) and it is my car. My dad is DAVE. He has his own Eagle. Heheheh.

[IowaEagle]

Just let us know what else you need as repairs are made.

[apes17]

Thank you so much for sending things to us!! We got a huge package from Iron Horse today and it was like Christmas!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[IowaEagle]

It might fit inside of a wagon.  I put one in the back of our Cherokee without any problem and they are about the same size in the cargo area.  Mine does have that damage in the left front corner, but is probably easily repaired.

Did the fuel pump arrive yet?

[DAVE]

yes it did thank you very much haven't had a chance to do anything to it yet still working on getting the kammback road worthy and licensed