Installing fuse block

[Gunnin4ya]

Just got around to starting to install the wiring in my 65 and noticed that the handle for the vent hits the fuse block. Has anyone else ran into this problem when installing an American Autowire kit? And if so what did you do to fix it? I just got all new seal put in and rebuild the vents so I would rather not delete them. Thanks in advance.

[racecougar]

Could you post up a photo of the interference? With the vent fully closed, the handle should be well aft of the fuse panel.

[Gunnin4ya]

Here is one open and one almost closed.

[Palf70Step]

Shift your fuse box up and to the right some. The original boxes had a lot less to them than the newer/upgrade ones do.

[racecougar]

The handle for the vent should have a bit of a bend in it to provide clearance at the fuse block.

[Kenfuzed]

I actually noticed the same thing with my stock fuse block. Maybe the PO of my truck bent the lever the wrong way because it seems way too close to the fuses.

[Gunnin4ya]

I may end up drilling the rivets out and flipping it over and installing new rivets.Was just hoping that there was a quick fix I was missing

[Captainfab]

I think I would just put a little bend in the vent arm. Do the other side also so they match.

Originally Posted by Gunnin4ya

I may end up drilling the rivets out and flipping it over and installing new rivets.Was just hoping that there was a quick fix I was missing

[ninetoestroy]

Looks like you have enough room to bend the vent handle forward enough to miss the fuse block or even bend it up to clear.

[Heater63]

Bump,

YES! exact same problem here. Mine is the classic upgrade kit, looks like yours is too. So much for a kit designed for these specific years!
Did you talk to AAW?
I will probably just bend my arm enough to clear

[racecougar]

Just dealt with this myself. Before on the left, after on the right.

[Gunnin4ya]

I thought about drilling out the rivets and flipping it over. Yours looks great. What did you do to get it to clear?

[Heater63]

LOVE the slicks Cougar!

I cut my shaft, welded on a downturn. Will post a pic soon.

[racecougar]

Originally Posted by Gunnin4ya

I thought about drilling out the rivets and flipping it over. Yours looks great. What did you do to get it to clear?

Used the torch to heat it at the bend, then persuaded it into a lower position. This was done out of the truck of course, in the vise. The fifty year old steel showed some minor cracking after bending it, so I ran a good, hot bead on it, then smoothed it back down with the Roloc and shot some paint on it. Excepting those seeing this thread, nobody will ever know it has been modified.

Originally Posted by Heater63

LOVE the slicks Cougar!

Thanks!

[earl84]

Had to bend mine as well. Fully functional with a slight bend.

[AnlaufJohn]

I wonder if the previous users of that truck used their foot to open and close the vent door?
We have some switches at work that are designed for reversing the movement of a chain hoist. The handle keeps getting broken, as 1 person uses their foot on the switch to reverse the action.

[racecougar]

Originally Posted by AnlaufJohn

I wonder if the previous users of that truck used their foot to open and close the vent door?
We have some switches at work that are designed for reversing the movement of a chain hoist. The handle keeps getting broken, as 1 person uses their foot on the switch to reverse the action.

That bend was put there from the factory.

[Heater63]

I think we've all used our feet to open and close, but I don't think you could bend that rod, the door would tear out of the frame first.

Here is a pic of mine installed. I cut off the loop and welded on a turn down rod.

[Gunnin4ya]

Looks good