Stovebolt.com Forums The Back Office The Greasy Spoon Rusty Fuse Block - 1972 Nova

I've been helping my neighbor with his '72 Nova SS, 454 big block. It's got a lot of electrical issues that I've traced back to the fuse block, which is a rusty mess. For example, the turn signals are currently powered by an ignition wire (hot with key on) from the fuse block. So at least he has turn signals.

Anyone have a good method of cleaning those rusty fuse holders? I'd like to be sure all the circuits have power and new fuses before going much deeper, thanks.

A good cleaning with a pencil wire brush and damp baking soda should do the trick. Rinse with water and blow dry. Dielectric grease applied should finish it off.

There are companies that make fuse box repair kits that include the terminals for the glass fuses and bulkhead terminals….. joe

Those are great suggestions fellas, thank you both. Let me say again, this fuse block is a rusty mess and by all rights should be replaced. If I'm successful with the clean-up, I'm certain this is a band-aid fix before the ultimate replacement solution.

So, I got my hands on a donor fuse block and tried a Dremel tool. It's basically a round grinding bit. It fits the fuse clamp quite well, especially the rounded arc of the clamp where the fuse makes its connection. The bottom fuse holder was cleaned with the Dremel tool and the on above wasn't cleaned. There's a notable difference as you can see. See the attached photo. GM Fuse Block Cleaning [flickr.com]

Do you think the Dremel tool is too aggressive? I plan to follow-up with some dielectric grease on the fuses to slow the subsequent and inevitable rusting process.

Andy,
That looks pretty good. My boat had glass fuses, and I ditched them for Blue Sea Systems fuse blocks that use ATC style fuses when I started having electrical issues. Much better. But your neighbor probably wants an original.

Thanks Kevin, I'll give it a try and use a very light touch to shine things up a bit. It could only improve the situation from where it's at right now. He does want to stay pretty close to original, but that might change.......

good forum for those:

https://www.stevesnovasite.com/

or it used to be at least, it was bought out by Vertical Scope like a whole mess of forums from the last few years.

-Woog

It's still a good forum. Thanks Woogeroo!