Fire ?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,875
Likes: 2,411
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
Lots of potential causes, most of them due to 50+ year old wiring insulation failing (meaning shorts to ground or other conductors), badly worn and/or corroded wiring connectors (meaning high resistance connections = high resistance means increased heat), and the result of Bubba having played with wiring he doesn't understand and doesn't want to bother to fix correctly, or a combination of all three.
Your buddy was likely lucky - electrical fires are a primary cause of loss of these cars. Hopefully the fire was sufficient incentive for your friend to go through his wiring.
Here's a theoretical question for your friend: What's the odds that the source of this recent fire was the only dodgy wiring in his 52 year old car?
Your buddy was likely lucky - electrical fires are a primary cause of loss of these cars. Hopefully the fire was sufficient incentive for your friend to go through his wiring.
Here's a theoretical question for your friend: What's the odds that the source of this recent fire was the only dodgy wiring in his 52 year old car?
Last edited by Easy Rhino; Aug 25, 2018 at 09:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Michigan
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Would you happen to know where the fusible links are installed on the 1967's Corvettes and later?
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,155
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Would you happen to know where the fusible links are installed on the 1967's Corvettes and later?
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
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2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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A fusible link is simply a section of lighter gauge wire in a “safer” position in the vehicle that fails under a short or abnormally high current draw protecting the wiring in less “safe” areas.
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Army
Would you happen to know where the fusible links are installed on the 1967's Corvettes and later?
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
What is their purpose since 1963-1966 Corvettes already have a dedicated master fuse box for each circuit??
Fusible links are not an over kill???
Not trying to say your wrong, but trying to lean more about car circuit wiring. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,875
Likes: 2,411
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
True, and while the initial smoke at speed can be pretty 'exciting' the lingering stink can make one wonder if there is something else going on with the wiring for some time.
Ever go in a fire-damaged house? You can't get rid of the smell, and it's unnerving.
Ever go in a fire-damaged house? You can't get rid of the smell, and it's unnerving.