76 Fuse box repair / replace?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
76 Fuse box repair / replace?
I’m troubleshooting a number of electrical issues, tail, signal, stop lights and more. I managed to get the tail lights and running lights working by poking around at the fuse connectors. I’m afraid 44 years has resulted in some corrosion.
are there any replacement options short of a full harness and fuse box replacement?
any repair options? I saw kits for c2’s, but nothing but harness and fuse box for the 76.
has anyone done the full fuse and harness replacement? Looks pretty in intimidating.
thanks.
Gene
are there any replacement options short of a full harness and fuse box replacement?
any repair options? I saw kits for c2’s, but nothing but harness and fuse box for the 76.
has anyone done the full fuse and harness replacement? Looks pretty in intimidating.
thanks.
Gene
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
Likes: 1,013
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I just replaced all the wiring on my 69. The dash harness is a little bit of a pain in the *** but not too bad. I would just replace the harness rather than trying to wire in just a new fuse box.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 729
Likes: 118
From: Kelowna British Columbia
Before you go to all that work why not try removing all fuses and using a spray contact cleaner on metal prongs that fuses sit in. Then clean up any that are suspect with a very fine file. They sell contact enhancer in small bottles at electronic retailers. It is expensive but does work. I used to use on electronic repair for connectors and saved some. Then replace all glass fuses. For an hour of your time or so it may save you a lot of headaches
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
I had similar issues with my '73 when I first got it. The fuse holders were all tarnished at best and corroded at worst. I first disconnected the battery, then sprayed contact cleaner liberally over all the contacts. I then used a brass brush and the point of a small knife to clean all of the contact surfaces as best I could to get them down to bare metal. I sprayed it all down a second time with contact cleaner and then coated each fuse holder with a small amount of dielectric grease. Last step was to carefully compress each fuse holder to make them hold onto the fuses much tighter (many of mine were too loose). Knock on wood, but I haven't had any more electrical gremlins due to the fuse block.
That said, I was dumb when I had my interior gutted and didn't even think about a new fuse block and harness. It would have been so much easier to install at that time. If I ever have to completely pull the dash apart again, I'm installing a new one to head off any future issues. I hear a couple of vendors are coming out with fuse blocks and harnesses for our cars that use the blade style fuses so that interests me as well.
DC
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
I had similar issues with my '73 when I first got it. The fuse holders were all tarnished at best and corroded at worst. I first disconnected the battery, then sprayed contact cleaner liberally over all the contacts. I then used a brass brush and the point of a small knife to clean all of the contact surfaces as best I could to get them down to bare metal. I sprayed it all down a second time with contact cleaner and then coated each fuse holder with a small amount of dielectric grease. Last step was to carefully compress each fuse holder to make them hold onto the fuses much tighter (many of mine were too loose). Knock on wood, but I haven't had any more electrical gremlins due to the fuse block.
That said, I was dumb when I had my interior gutted and didn't even think about a new fuse block and harness. It would have been so much easier to install at that time. If I ever have to completely pull the dash apart again, I'm installing a new one to head off any future issues. I hear a couple of vendors are coming out with fuse blocks and harnesses for our cars that use the blade style fuses so that interests me as well.
DC
That said, I was dumb when I had my interior gutted and didn't even think about a new fuse block and harness. It would have been so much easier to install at that time. If I ever have to completely pull the dash apart again, I'm installing a new one to head off any future issues. I hear a couple of vendors are coming out with fuse blocks and harnesses for our cars that use the blade style fuses so that interests me as well.
DC
I did see an offering for full front to back harness kits with blade style fuses...nearly $1,400. Ouch! Maybe on Zip.
All good advice. I’ll keep you all posted.
Just installed a nice used Rotary SPOA10 2 post lift in my barn today. Ready to get to take some pictures and get to it.
Gene
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