61' Falcon wiring

I am trying to change out the instrument panel on my 61' wagon and honestly I do not know where to start. Nothing works on the panel and I am not sure where to start looking? Fuse box? Voltage regulator? Please help!

 

There are many complete wiring kits available with modern fuse blocks and all conections. We use EZE wiring out of Bunnell, Florida.
Sorry I don't have the exact address but check most any car magazine. The kits are under $200 and well worth it. These are complete from tail lite to head lites. Saves a lot of headaches.

 

Would that be easier than tracing down the problem? Surely it can not be nothing more than a fuse or a flasher or something, right?

 

I agree. I thought you were having major problems with the wiring. Sometimes it is better to just yank it all out and start with modern fuse block and wiring. But I would attempt to trace a short or bad ground first. For sure, check all fuses, circuit breakers, connections, and mostly grounds.

 

Thanks Cat. Where would you suggest I start? Fuses? Flashers?

 

I thought by now someone else would chime in and get you pointed in the right direction. By all means, check all the fuses in the fuse holder and look along the wiring for other in-line fuses. Best place to start. Could be a simple blown fuse or loose or corroded one.
If the flashers don't flash, or most lites don't blink replace flashers. Don't forget the possiblity of a bad signal lite swtch in column. Just had to replace mine in 55 Chevy.
There's a place called rockautoparts that is very reasonable and has many parts.

 

Thank you very much. I will post my results. Wish me luck

 

Good luck.

I'd suggest you pick up a test light and a '61 Falcon factory service manual if you don't have them. It should have a wiring schematic and electrical troubleshooting sections.

http://www.faxonautoliterature.com/Search.aspx?k=manual&c=17548

If the fuses are good and you have power and nothing works x2 on checking the ground/s.

 

Thanks Bluevista, I have the shop manual and the schematic, I will start with the fuses and then go from there. Thanks for the advice.................

 

geez....the fuse block is attached to headlight switch....its a pain to get to and off !!!
theres a whole 3 or 4 fuses on it..(depending on year)

...but i;d check the bulbs first

 

Thanks, Rev. All new bulbs. I believe it is either a short or fuses. I have a long weekend, might try and trace some wiring after I replace the fuses.

 

Wal...sometimes its easier to try and get the switch out to see it all....but even thats a pain.....you can 'unclip' the fuse block....but thats a pain too!!!!

its the one thing that i detest about the Falcon....that darn fuse panel !!

Ive taken them out and replaced them in 3 of mine with a firewall mounted 5 fuse block...just so i never have to do it again

 

In the long run, if it is a decent wagon and you plan on keeping it, doing the complete rewire with modern fuse block starts looking better everytime you crawl under that dash!
Of course, it is then no longer original.
Depends on who you talk to and where you look, kits are just under $200-$400 or more. Why pay $400+ when the $200 kit works fine?
Hopefully it is only bad fuses or corroded ones.

 

Little more help needed. I know that I need 2- 14 amp, 1-15 amp, and 1-7.5 amp fuse(s) for LoBird. Are there different types of glass tube fuses? If so, which ones do I need?

 

If you've got the Rev on the case, you've got the Falcon Guru. These wiring diagrams might help you out as well:
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Cars/1964FordRanchero/WiringDiagrams.htm