C2 Fuse Block & Wiring Harness Repairs

[Alan Drake]

In process of installing my dash board and found a melted wire from past fuel gauge short in my 1964.
1 Is there a source for 18 gauge wire with color coding? (need black with purple strip)
2 How does one remove the Fuse Block, can not see any screws inside and the ones outside are the screw ends (wrong end). Is this a job to avoid?
3 What tape was used to wrap the wiring?

Thanks

[William C.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block & Wiring Harness Repairs

The fuse block bolts are hidden at the top of the block and under the lowest fuse in the bottom of the block. The harness was wrapped with 1 inch wide non-adhesive vinyl tape .007 inch thick. best source for spare supplies would likely be any non-Corvette '64 model year Chevrolet.

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block & Wiring Harness Repairs

Alan:

The fuse block was held in place with 2 sheetmetal screws with indented hex heads, top and bottom of the block. For 1965 they are black phosphate, 1964 will possibly be the same. The screws engaged a thin piece of sheetmetal which was riveted from the engine side of the firewall.

This might be a good time to replace your "dash harness", which includes a new fuse panel. Otherwise, call one of the two most popular harness fabricators, who might be willing to sell you a length of wire.

Joe

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Fuse Block now Loose, next ?

Found two screws holding the fuse block, one on top right behind the metal box (1 1/4 X 3/4) "Signal-Stat" on line 1, 143 12V on center line and 3 LAMP on bottom line while other behind lower left fuse. Both screws are sheet metal, 1 7/8 long, silver, with 1/4 hex head, small recess in center with 3 letters equally spaced ( B, W & being detailed in case somebody else does a search latter.

NOW - the fuse holder on inside fire wall is loose, but wiring goes out fire wall.
Do the connectors (2) on engine side pull off the remaining plate on the fire wall???? Do not want to pry since the tape and coating is old and brittle and do not want to destroy. These have never been removed (owned since 67)

[William C.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block now Loose, next ?

Yes, they remove, but be careful. there are plastic arms with a latching edge at the top of them that go thru slots molded into the engine side connectors. the arms must be compressed toward the sides of the connectors so the connectors can be pulled off the plastic plate behind the fuseblock. Look carefully and you will see them.

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

Thanks Bill,
YES I broke one even pressing down on it, well that's just another little project to slove.
Did find a source for the wire harness tape, Lectric Limited sells 3/4, 1 & 1 14 in the 100 foot rolls. Main harness at instrument area appreas to be 1 inch non-adhesive while lower area by fuse block seems to be 34 inch but it is sticky

Does ANY one know if the lower tape should be non-adhesive???

Have looked at a few repro harnesses (Lectric & MH) however they do not sell any wire! Anyone know sombody that does???

[Peter L.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block- Open heart by Bill?

Dr. Bill - Great job. Have a Happy New Year. See you in Florida. Pete

[Rob Dame]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

Alan try these guys..... Rob




Ron Francis Wiring

[William C.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

Yes, lower tape is the same non-adhesive as the rest of the harness.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

Alan,

-----------Check your forward harnesses, especially around the starter and the stuff running up to the headlights, as this harness, if original is surely compromised somewhere. The wires to the starter get close to the exhaust and will be brittle. As well, the harness up front is suceptable to weather ravages and can look good but be weak inside. I, pretty much always, recommend front harnesses, at the very least, be replaced with the best quality repro harnesses you can find, for simple piece of mind. You dont ever want to see an electrical fire, especially involving your Corvette!!! As a side bonus your new front harness will have both tangs on it like the one you just broke off, except not as brittle. Hope this helps............Bill S

[William C.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

Actually the tangs he needs are on the IP side of the harness.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 Fuse Block Out, need tape & wire

--------You are correct, Bill. Thats what going from memory will get you, HUH!!!........Bill S

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Fuse Block,Repairs Started Thanks All

Thanks to everyone for the information. Ordered a repair kit (for broken ears on engine side) and a few other items from Lectric Limited. However wire was not available from most sources I found on NCRS site. Did find a source at riwire.com, that's Rhode Island Wiring - the older car people use them in my area, Boston. They will sell wire by the foot and have a very good selection, but missing a black with pink strip. Just cut some from middle of harness and replaced it by the connector - if you look its back to original. Take a look at the riwire under "supplies" for a lot of connectors and other hard to find small items that GM used in the past and still.
Again Thanks Alan

[BOB LOVETT]

Re: C2 Fuse Block & Wiring Harness Repairs

Got the same problem on my 66..............called Lectric Limited......the only "fix" they say is to replace the WHOLE DARN ENGINE HARNESS!.....so be it.....we went ahead & ordered one .......anyone out there replaced a engine harness on a 66....327/300???......B

[Rick S.]

Re: C2 Fuse Block & Wiring Harness Repairs

Bob,
I replaced the engine wire harness on my 67 327/350 and it is an easy job. The best advice I would give is to remove the hood. Makes replacing everything forward of the horn relay easier. The other thing that I did was start at the fuse block connection on the firewall and as I removed one connection, I replaced the new connection. I did it this way instead of taking the entire old harness off to avoid forgetting what when where dilema.