Fire extinguisher

No need to pull up the carpet - but you need to ensure the drill bit does NOT catch on the fibers or you'll have an ugly long pull.  Could use punch to separate weave and drill or punch hole or use self taping metal screw.  It needs to be secure or it becomes a missile in a panic stop or accident.

Anything you put on the screw

that sounds like a loaded question .

  if it's going into glass no need for any thing,but you could use something so the glass fibers dont absorb any moisture.in the steel you might use some paint or sealer,Ive used liquid electrickel tape(liquid rubber,not silocone )or some polyrathane sealer.

I am thinking of putting it by what would be the passengers left leg slightly forward of the shifter...seems to be where most mount them...

No to sound lazy but I used Velcro and just stuck mine to the carpet. 

Velcro is the way to go. It also allows easy removal if you had to leave your top down and not have to worry about theft. Plus it's just a buck or two or three for

the Velcro.

Here is a simple, inexpensive no drill option. 

The wood slat, fasteners and extinguisher were purchased at Home Depot. I attached the extinguisher to the slat and then attached the slat to the bulkhead metal strut beneath the dash with metal fasteners.

Maybe not that professional of a look but it works and there is still plenty of legroom for the passenger. Also it is easy to grab in an emergency. 

Thanks everyone.  I was thing king Velcro as well but wasn't sure if it would hold.  i guess a good strong Velcro is a solid way.

ron - I like the under the dash look ass well.  Maybe I can incorporate both and see how it all looks.

Velcro is Velcro, Todd, I don't think it comes in degrees of strength. It is based on the burr, the little needles that grab onto dog fur etc. If you have a good nub to your carpet, it should stick real good. Here's what I did.it sticks to my carpeting just right. The extinguisher doesn't move around, but you can peel it off when you need to. You should buy the Velcro with the adhesive back and only need the "barbed" side, the carpet acts as the surface to get clinged onto.

I like that...that is what I will do.  Where is that in your car.  Driver side?  Doesn't matter but just curious

As the hubby of a dedicated quilter/sewer, I can certainly say that there are varying levels of hold strength with Velcro.  In fact, I can remember using some on an electronic project years ago that, once it was engaged we had to use a pry bar to get the two pieces apart.  There are also lots of different sizes of the barbs and loops to equate with differing applications.  You can find a whole wall of Velcro products at Home Depot or Lowe's or, if there is a sewing supply/fabric store nearby, they should be able to help, too.  You should see light, medium and heavy hold strengths.

Having said all that, I'm reminded of someone's earlier comment about not using Velcro for fear that the extinguisher could become a projectile in a panic stop.  very true, and that's why I anchored mine with sheet metal screws.

So, Todd:  Use big sheet metal screws, not Velcro, on an extinguisher.  When you drill the holes for the screws, dip the drill into Butcher's Floor Wax (Johnson's works well, too) - The paste kind....comes in a can about 5" in diameter.  Dip the drill in about an inch deep - that will prevent the carpet fibers from attaching to the drill.  Once the holes are drilled, dip the screws into the same wax and screw them in.  BTW: this is how professional audio installers quickly drill holes in cars, too.

Drill at slow speed if it makes you feel better, but it's not necessary...The carpet should stay put.

I am so confused!  Just kidding.  Ok...lots to consider and think about.  

Last question...any particular brand of extinguisher that everyone recommends or just what is cheap and lightweight for the car?  I assume most are the same.

Extinguisher questions are asked periodically, so there are lots of threads regarding type, the mess they make, ease of use, etc.  Halon or its current derivative are top of the line for not messing up your engine and their efficiency in fire suppression. 

Your main task is to familiarlze yourself with the unit you buy and what you will do if an engine fire starts.  Remember that your deck lid will be hot.  When you see or smell smoke is not the time to try to figure out how your extinguisher works. 

http://www.mangosmoothie.ca/fire-suppression

Mango I am putting my car on a trailer right now and shipping to your garage.  Have the granite countertop ready.

When I crash my Speedster (let's hope not), the least I'll be concerned about will be my fire extinguisher flying about the cockpit because I only used Velcro to secure it. I'll certainly already be dead by a shard of fiberglass through the chest or some such place. I'd be more concerned with the somewhat dubious strap/latch that holds it in place. Mr. Cheery

My extinguisher is behind the passenger seat - not on display or bolted down but it isn't going anywhere and its easy enough to grab in the event that I need to whack someone with it.

Jimmy

I did the same in my last speedster but it was a more refined looking car with luggage rack, nipple hubcaps, etc so on is one it is looking very outlaw so I like the look of an extinguisher in the car.  seeing a video online of a guy who's speedster went up in flames leads me to believe that by the time these cars catch on fire and you can actually get to it, it is probably too late anyway, but nice to have in case the flames start to jump.

I drilled holes in the floor to bolt mine down where Rich put his, but the velcro idea looks great.  That would have left other location options open.  Wish I'd have thought of that.

I installed a temperature-activated, self-contained halon unit in the engine compartment in my Beck.  It's the same thing that they install in IM's.  It's pricey, around $500, but I figure that if I get an engine fire, by the time I realize it, the car will be gone.  If I did realize it, and I could get the rear decklid open without burning myself, I would introduce a huge blast of oxygen which would only serve to make the fire worse.  Finally, after I discharged my fire extinguisher, on top of the fire damage, I would have a big corrosive mess.  The halon unit will release automatically.  The first indicator I will have will be my engine dying because there will be no oxygen.  The unit can snuff the oxygen out of a volume 4 times that of Natalie's engine bay and will leave no corrosive residue.

https://www.speedsterowners.com...ent/2135445019512059 

I still have the fire extinguisher on board in case of a fire elsewhere mounted to the left of my driver's seat on the floor (I copied off of Lane.  This may only be possible in a Beck due to space, not sure).

Here is a shot of the Halon unit as previously installed.  It was moved this winter to the rear of the engine compartment below the latch to make way for a breather box in this location.

You really have to lean over now to see it.

Lane, it was thanks to you that I decided on the Velcro...whenever you mention drilling, I always take a deep breath first. The Velcro is really holding this to the carpeting quite securely in my opinion, and I like the idea of being able to either remove it or put in another location easily. After I'm bonked on the head with the canister some day, I'll let you know if this was a really good idea or not.

NOT MINE - but good motivator for suppression system.  Bigger the better when it comes to an extinguisher - a spare one in front trunk would be good idea.

^ At least it had a roll-bar!

check out the crank& rods hanging there.and the dirt they tried to use to put out the mag engine case.

 the only down side I see to the velcro is the carpet moving,streaching,snaging ,or in an axadent becoming a flying carpet.Witch might not be a bad idea so you can hop on &get away from the fire engulfing your moltin replica.I like the behind the seat or somewhere it will be sort of self contained.the suspression method with nozzels is nice too.if you can afford it....and the car cost how much??? hey man got any marshmellows, thast one smoken hot fire you got there.

Again my thoughts are if the car catches fire...by the time I pull over and get my fat ass out of that thing, grab an extinguisher, it's a goner anyway.  I don't want a suppression system because then I will actually have to have the car rebuilt from the damage and that is why I have full value through hagerty!  i think for me the extinguisher is to make sure I don't catch on fire or anyone else or anything else.  Plus it is a cool look!  

Per Flo at Progressive  ....that will  not buff out

 Now there is an honest to goodness dirt nap !

A fire suppression system for these cars is always a good idea.

Thanks, Ron

You've just convinced me to install a halon system in my car.

Tom can you post a new picture, would like to see where it's mounted. 

Thanks

Dang Ron - i've never seen that picture.  must have been hard to watch

And Ron was lucky, he got to rebuild it! I believe in Halon, have a 5lb. bottle in the nose in front of the right headlight, one nozzle at each carb, and one nozzle at the gasoline-fired heater. Pull over, take a deep breath, pull the handle, and GET OUT!

"gasoline-fired heater".  Geez.  Years ago, I used to drive a Karmann Ghia up here in the coldest of winters, and not once would I use that bloody gasoline heater.  I always considered it a bomb just waiting to go off, right in front of me.

I never did understand why VW would place a heater such as this right beside the gas tank.

Some time ago Mango-Paul suggested installing a gas heater sideways in the space above the transaxle. This keeps it away from the gastank and also eliminates gasoline 'smell' in the cockpit and clothing

Wow Ron...

how long are those halogen systems good for?   Meaning is it just hooked up to an extinguisher that you can change out when it expires?

Thank you Tom, I am still trying to work this into my budget. 

I am heading over to SE to pick up my car. I know it may be a light rain on the way back but with heated seats and the new plumbing installed for heat I should be ok. And Special Edition installs the Espar heater in the rear. 

I just ordered one from Safecraft.  It's the same as Henry puts in his cars when he builds them.

They don't have them in stock - they will build it for you, and it takes about a week to have it shipped.

Pricey, yes, but hopefully good insurance.