64 impala fuse block upgrade
Posted by Flimsy_Fee2765@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hi all,
I have a 64 impala base model that I need to update the fuse block on.
At this time I don’t have it in the budget to do a complete harness rewiring and am looking at the painless 30001 fuse center as a replacement.
Anyone have any experience or insight to changing the fuse block only?
CodewortSchinken@reddit
What exactly is wrong with the old one?
Flimsy_Fee2765@reddit (OP)
There a lot of corrosion with the contacts on the front and back. I’ve cleaned it off a few times and gotten things working but I don’t wan to have to in with a wire wheel an dremel everytime. And I want to update it.
CodewortSchinken@reddit
If you are on a budget, I'd just remove it, disassemble, thoroughly clean it and put it back together with dialectic grease to prevent it from oxidizing again. Or just replace the fuse block with a better used unit.
Any conversation to a different style fuse block is ultimately going to be more expensive and complicated. I don't really se the benefit unless you need additional fuses and relais docks for all sorts of electrical equipment you plan to install.
Klo187@reddit
A lot of these were hard wired into the car, as in to remove the fuse panel meant unsoldering every wire and connection, or unplugging everything and removing the harness
ChillyConCarn3@reddit
I did this on my '65 Impala, but with the American Autowire version. It requires modifying (enlarging) the opening in the firewall. not sure how plug and play the painless one is, but the one i installed was very straightforward, just have to get a sawzall or oscillating multi-tool
Flimsy_Fee2765@reddit (OP)
Did you keep your existing wire harness or did you replace it?
ChillyConCarn3@reddit
specifically this kit, which has gone up in price almost $300 bucks in 3 years: https://americanautowire.com/products/classic-update-kit-1965-chevy-impala-510360
ChillyConCarn3@reddit
I had no choice but to replace the entire thing because this was a barn find, and mice got to all the wires. I'd honestly say its much easier to replace the entire harness, and if you are going that route, the american autowire kit is much better than painless.
Any_Championship_674@reddit
Get the under dash harness kit. It will come with the wiring complete off the fuse block and will be way easier than trying to wire up every wire to the fuse block. More expensive but totally worth it imo.
I did my 64 impala with American Autowire and kept the original bus fuse style.