Wow, my wife would say "better buy a lottery ticket". I'd say "forget it, you used up all your luck for a while". Better your car parts burned than your eyes!
Weird & wild stuff. You're OK, that's what counts and it could have been so much worse... Bet you did not let the water warm-up before you jumped into that shower...
I'd decided to make an insurance claim. On top of the air cleaners and valve covers, some of the engine paint, under the hood paint, and one grill also got burnt. I have a hundred dollar deductible and nearly 600 in chrome that needs to be replaced besides the paint, so why not make a claim?
If you got the the coverage, use it. I would. Your car is too nice to just let it go. Thank god the PAINT didn't get burnt!!! You were very lucky....I hope that doesn't happen to anyone else. I don't know your history, but from what I can tell, you've been around cars a LONG time, and know your stuff. I worked as an auto tech, etc. for over 25 years, and I've never seen a battery do what yours did. I've seen 'em blow up on a charger, etc, but not just like that in the car. Just goes to show that s**t happens, and if you act quickly, you can save your eyesight/face! Did your headlamps blow out from the overcharging condition? Usually that'll clue you in that somethings wrong, as you probably know. Good luck with the '65.
Jeff
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