My 78 ford is a bit of a Frankenstein: 460 swapped onto a 1/2ton frame with a f250 body on it. All done by a previous owner.

Ive been slowly rebuilding it and getting it running....but the owner did less than a stellar job electrically mating the 460 in in the engine bay, and after seeing a post of someones square body burning up randomly in their driveway....im a bit worried lol.

my truck has a fire extinguisher in it, #1. BUT, id also like to know any wiring tips or tricks to prevent any electrical fires.

All my glass fuses are good and are the proper sizes...and I remove the battery when she goes back into the garage and not in use.

I saw in the tips and tricks section that someone mentioned that the headlight **** is a firey spot? I didnt understand the recommended fix though.

So, what advice do you guys have? Any horror stories and how to prevent them?

I'm running a 460, C6, 203 combo with the standard 1/2 ton axles...wiring in the cab seems to be farely factory....wiring in the engine bay has been half assed. Seems like just enough was done to make it run. I had a shop wire in all my gauges, so they'd work.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

You can buy the heavy duty headlight harness for $30 and that will protect that particular circuit from potential harm, but as for what the PO did that's a mystery yet to be solved.

 

Awesome! Thanks man! I appreciate the advice. Ill do anything to makesure she doesnt end up a burnt wreck in my garage lol.

Any part numbers or write up on this headlight harness? I'm familiar enough with electrical components to do minor electrical work and soldering...provided I find good instructions hahaha.

 

I bought my HD harness from LMC truck parts, it's an easy install and removes the potential fire hazard from inside the cab. Well worth the cost, if for nothing else than peace of mind.

 

Awesome, just ordered the HD headlight harness. I'm assuming that its HD, thus being able to handle more current or amps before melting down and catching fire?

I'm running the factory lighting system....so its not like I'm putting more or higher powered current through it, so this should keep me safe from meltdowns correct?

 

Good wiring is important, but most important between the battery and fuse panel(s). If everything is fused correctly, that will be your biggest safety factor.

 

Make sure there are no bare wires hanging around.
Be sure that all wires connected to the battery side of the starter solenoid are fused.
Be sure that any add on wires attached directly to the battery positive post terminal are fused.
Be sure that any wires added to the fuse block are fused.
AND
Replace all rubber hoses between the fuel pump, fuel filter, and carb. once a year - I've seen many dry rotted, can cause a nasty under hood fire.

 

Great tips guys! Speaking of fuses....the only fusible links I've seen off the top of my head are between the starter solenoid and starter. Can you guys think of more?

how often do you guys replace those? And does anyone make bolt in new ones? Or are people just soldering in new links in the wires? Id like to replace them and id like to replace the entire wire if I could.

I checked bronco graveyard and lmc and didnt see anything

 

Jim at Centec can help you ,if your eventually leaning to new wiring harness,and modern fuses,very reasonably priced.

 

Pretty much all been said before, make sure all connections are clean and tight. Insulate all bare wire. Ensure all circuits fused properly and that each circuit is able to handle the load. (hopefully the PO didn't wire the headlights off the wiper circuit...etc)

 

The price may seem high but if it burns to the ground and takes the house with it would be well worth it.

 

Side question/ related tho.... where is everyone mounting/storing their fire extinguishers onboard their truck?

 

Take a look at https://www.delcity.net/ - all sorts of interesting electrical stuff !

 

I have mine mounted on the passenger side kick panel (near the lower door hinge).

 

In my Bronco, it's mounted to the transmission tunnel cover.