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#1 | |||||||
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
I searched and didn't find a dedicated thread for 60-66 trucks as to the most likely location for an electrical fire.
I know the ammeter has been one that has been mentioned, but where are some of the other likely locations? . The following is posts from another thread that prompted me to start this thread: Quote:
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#2 |
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,543
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
I had a small fire years ago under the dash, the ignition switch contacts were brittle and arched, melting the plastic which caused it to start smoking and arching.
Posted via Mobile Device
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Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 ![]() ![]() ![]() support our troops! |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Lisle Illinois
Posts: 602
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
My Blower lead were it penetrates the firewall smoked and caught the inner firewall pad on fire, looked like cheek and chong going down the road.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 1,456
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
Wires leading to my dimmer switch died, causing a short in the dash wiring harness that burned the insulation off several wires, including killing my tail lights.
It sucked. -Brad
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'61 Suburban daily driver: off the road due to 180-pound 8-pt buck! '62 K-10 long-step project '61 C30 Camper, aka "Valdez" There's no cool like Old School |
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#5 |
"Where were you in '62?"
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cleveland County, North Cackalacky
Posts: 5,013
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One common condition that can cause problems is an electrical short. A bad wiring job is not only scary-looking, it’s downright dangerous.
Over time, many things can cause electrical problems with your 60-66. Components get old and worn, or a wire can rub against something and expose itself to metal. I've seen cases where guys inadvertently crimped a wire while installing a body panel. Sometimes during mechanical repairs, engine or transmissions installs. Wires can get in the way so they're haphazardly shoved aside. This is unfortunate because wiring is an old trucks nervous system. If it isn't in good shape and maintained, then things won't work properly. In the worst-case scenario, it can cause an electrical fire. Electrical current normally flows from the positive battery cable to the starter solenoid, through the main wiring harness into the dash, through a fuse, then to an electrical device, and finally to ground, which is either the metal body or a ground wire in the wiring harness that attaches to the body. In an electrical short, current flows from the battery directly to the body chassis or metal, which is a direct ground and full unchecked amperage. In that case, it has taken a shortcut to ground, thus creating an electrical short circuit. God forbid if you have a fuel leak some where... If a wire is shorting to ground without going through a fuse, it will get extremely hot and burn through the insulation if current flows long enough, which is sometimes only a few seconds. If a short exists on a fused circuit, then the fuse gets too hot and quickly melts the element inside, thus breaking the circuit and protecting its wires. When a fuse blows for any reason, there's obviously a problem. Be happy that the fuse is doing its job and giving up its life for the cause, otherwise wires can melt, or worse: an electrical fire can occur. A blown fuse isn't always an indication of an electrical short. Occasionally, a fuse will blow if a component or its connector is corroded. ![]() Ohm's Law - Electrical & Electronics ![]() ![]() Electronics Tutorials about DC Theory - Tutorial: 1 of 10 http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/...its/dcp_1.html Quick Tip - Take A Few Extra Minutes & Do Things Right - StaceyDavidsGearZ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q676Xgcsbmg
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PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET" 1962 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed Nostalgia Pro/Street Pickup Truck PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET Build Thread What Are You Workin' On? - 1Bad62ChevyPickup PROJECT: "TYRANNORAMBLER REX" 1969 AMC Rambler American Nostalgia Pro/Street Youtube Channel: Father Son Projects Youtube Channel: 2TIMOTHY2FITHTEEN ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "North and South Carolina Folks Click Here!" (((( ~ I have Parts For Sale & Miscellaneous Stuff ~ )))) "Well being as there's no other place around the place, I reckon this must be the place, I reckon...Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk" -Curly Howard Ph.D. Last edited by 1Bad62Pro/Street; 12-15-2012 at 06:44 PM. |
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#6 |
60-66 Nut
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Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
I have never had an electrical fire, but I have had some issues with the wiring. These were the dimmer switch (leaky windshield contributes to this) and at the main plug that goes thru the firewall above the fuse panel. I have had trouble with the main power wire there. I believe that one was mostly due to a loose connection. I have also had a similar issue at the firewall plug where the starter and ignition wires pass thru.
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Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Independence,KS
Posts: 1,477
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
My two cents worth on this- if you're spending al the time and effort to rebuild/restore one of these vehicles WHY cheap out on the elctrical-after all-you replace all the other items because they are old and worn out- that wiring is the same age and been thru the same conditions.
I also feel that my vehicle project is worth the money for added insurance. On a techincal note- back in the '60's there were not the electrical demands on a vehicle that we have now. Almost everyone adds stereos, modern ignition systems, accessory power outlets,etc. All these items, tho small in each, adds up to greater electrical demand and simply adding a bigger alternator isn't enough. Again, this is just my opinion. |
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#8 | |
Who Me?
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 4,067
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
Quote:
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![]() 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold) |
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#9 |
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/04...e/viewall.html
Posted via Mobile Device
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rathdrum, Idaho
Posts: 1,135
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
Not dis-connecting the battery while wrenching under the dash on a amp meter is a good way to start a fire not to mention getting the wrench white
hot in a nano second and burning your pinkies to a crisp. And don't ask me how I know that...Vernski ![]() |
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#11 | ||
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
These two statements from the article I linked above drive home for me the argument that we should upgrade our wiring:
Quote:
Quote:
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#12 |
"Where were you in '62?"
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cleveland County, North Cackalacky
Posts: 5,013
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PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET" 1962 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed Nostalgia Pro/Street Pickup Truck PROJECT: "FULL METAL YELLOW JACKET Build Thread What Are You Workin' On? - 1Bad62ChevyPickup PROJECT: "TYRANNORAMBLER REX" 1969 AMC Rambler American Nostalgia Pro/Street Youtube Channel: Father Son Projects Youtube Channel: 2TIMOTHY2FITHTEEN ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "North and South Carolina Folks Click Here!" (((( ~ I have Parts For Sale & Miscellaneous Stuff ~ )))) "Well being as there's no other place around the place, I reckon this must be the place, I reckon...Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk" -Curly Howard Ph.D. Last edited by 1Bad62Pro/Street; 12-16-2012 at 09:07 PM. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sapulpa, OK
Posts: 187
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
I was on my way to work 25 years ago in my first '62. Smoke suddenly filled the cab, the unmistakeable stench of wires burning filled my nose.
The oil bath air cleaner had come loose and fallen, grounding the positive lead on my alternator. Burned up every bit of wire under the hood. |
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#14 |
Hollister, CA.
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,147
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Re: Most Common Causes 60-66 Electrical Fire
A big mistake that almost EVERYONE seems to forget is CIRCUIT PROTECTION !!!!
It wasn't a 60-66, but a '78 couple years ago I had to do a full harness on. It was a mess, this poor guy trusted his truck to some 'tweaker' dude, who proceded to run 15 or so wirea thru a hole in the firewall. No protection, and many were HOTS directly to battery terminal ... no fuse ! Pretty sad, truck went up while he was driving. Pulled over in front of a strangers house who came running with a garden hose. Burned up dash, and melted windhield !! Circuit protection (fuses, Circuit Breakers, etc.) wire protection, etc. etc. etc. Did I mention I found phone wire for dash feed ?!?!?
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