Missing Fuse Block

Q.

I was asked by a good friend for assistance resolving some electrical problems he was having with his 1949 Ford F1 pickup. Even after searching awhile, I could not locate the fuse block. Where is the fuse block located?

A.

Cars and trucks prior to the 1960s seldom have what we usually recognize as a fuse block. Rather they have two, three, or four circuit breakers that look like little metal boxes with a couple of threaded studs sticking out of them. On the ’49 Ford F1 the breaker is sort of 2-in-1, but it’s still a block with metal posts sticking out, and wires attached (see photo).



Many times the circuit breakers are tucked beneath the dash or behind the kick panel cardboard and occasionally mounted to the outside firewall or inline. There will also be some electric devices that have inline fuses (i.e. radio, blower motor, clock, etc.). I believe your circuit breakers are under the dash on the right side of the instrument panel, but it’s been a while since I last worked on an F1, so crawl under and take a look.

Circuit breakers do go bad, but normally when they’re working properly, they reset themselves if blown. It’s important to note that circuit breakers do have amperage ratings like fuses, and if replacing a circuit breaker it should be matched to the original circuit load.

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10 Responses to “Missing Fuse Block”

  1. Michael Griffith

    Is there a simple way to clean and old engine from the old engine odor. Unable to keep my car in the garage.

  2. RAYMOND F PITTAM

    I have rebuilt a lot of cars thet only had in line fuses, the Breaker's were always a Pain . I have been playing with cars since a boy in my Brothers Custom Shop and Garage and I am 83 years old and rebuilding a 51/52 Studebaker truck at this time. i also am rebuilding for the third time in 12 years a 1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash reproduction but not one built in the 50's and 70's. Mine was built by a PG&E Engineer in the mid 1940's. I do drive it on California Highways and Freeways. It was Grandfathered in 1952. It can be seen on my Facebook and Google sites under my real name.

  3. Rich Ochoa

    I asked a question about my Wife's '61 Impala. After posting, it stated: Waiting Moderation....Next thing I knew, it was totally Deleted. Thanks boys, you guys are a great thoughtful bunch to an 83 year old!.......NOT!!! The least you guys could have done was Give me an Explanation! I will NOT be joining your site!

  4. Richard Ochoa

    My wife is Orig. Owner of a '61 Impala. I recently installed Glove Box light harness & a new interior side lights switch in door jam. Since then, we have No Dash lights, No Tail or Stop lights & No interior dome lights. They all worked fine before I installed these 2 items! Any Help would be appreciated??? Thanks, Richard Ochoa

  5. Larry Mark

    I hope you are using the correct gauge wire. My '41 F-5 (6v) was wired rewired with 12 gauge or less wire. The three taillights would come on one at a time. The circuit breaker would throw on the headlights then reset.

  6. LLOYD ROSENTHAL

    Bench test your starter to see if it works properly making sure the gear pops out and turns when engaging power. If it does work properly then you have a fitment problem with a mismatched part or you need shims to make it fit properly.

  7. Andrew Moothart

    I have a 62 C10 pickup that I rewired and now there seems that something causes my battery to drain. New battery installed and when started it shows 14 volts and after a period of time not driving or starting the truck when I do it shows 12 or less volts and I can’t figure it out. There is no radio in the truck and the headlights are not on. I need some advise.

  8. Walter Schomaker

    Just installed a compact mini starter on my 34 coupe with a 350 GM motor. It turns over but doesn’t engage the flywheel. And suggestions, I suspect it’s a wiring issue?

  9. Richard Daviau

    There is no fuse box wires on the fire wall.

  10. W. Ritch

    2 circuit breakers on back side is inst. panel fed by yel. wire which passes thru charge indicator. 1 for headlight circuit 1 for ign sw.