Author Topic: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link  (Read 2845 times)

Offline Oz390

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65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« on: January 07, 2016, 08:44:10 PM »
Believe the '65s used a small metal breaker attached to the solenoid positive.  And that switched to a small bracket that screwed to the apron and used a fusible link (wire) in '66.  On '67/'68 I have seen both, my '68 had the wire style when purchased as a rolling/running restoration candidate in '91.  It looked "old" which means maybe, maybe not... but I believe the wired fusible link to be correct for 68s, and maybe 66 -67's.

Many sites note the fusible link was only used on '66 and then back to the breaker for '67/'68.  I have seen '66-'68 with both and the FAM (while not always correct) shows the fusible link for '66/'67/'68.

Can anyone confirm which style was used in each year?  And if the "65" breaker was used on "early" '65s as well, or if there may be a different from early to late '65 production.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2016, 10:11:19 PM by Oz390 »
8R03S : 76A I 2A 15M 72 5 U
8R01S : 65A B 2A 28M 72 7 5 - Factory GT
8R01C : 65A M 2A 01E 72 2 W - Cal Special
8F01X : 65A I 2A 2G 20E 24 1 U - EXP500 repli-bute

Offline outlawincorporated

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2016, 03:54:50 AM »
OZ390

I saw your post on the Australian forum but haven't had chance to check through all my photos for this area.

Mike Murray if your out there, would be able to supply pictures of this area from his 10,000 mile unrestored honey gold 65 convertible as that has a power roof.
Also Charles Turner should have pics from his throughbred restored vintage burgundy 65 K convetible

in the duration I will have a look at my pictures of unrestored convertibles with power tops.

regards

PHILL BERESFORD
MELBOURNE.
AUSTRALIA.
ITS ONLY EVER ORIGINAL ONCE!!!!!

MCA GOLD CARD JUDGE 1ST GENERATION.  MCA #68589

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2016, 11:20:15 AM »
Believe the '65s used a small metal breaker attached to the solenoid positive.  And that switched to a small bracket that screwed to the apron and used a fusible link (wire) in '66.  On '67/'68 I have seen both, my '68 had the wire style when purchased as a rolling/running restoration candidate in '91.  It looked "old" which means maybe, maybe not... but I believe the wired fusible link to be correct for 68s, and maybe 66 -67's.

Many sites note the fusible link was only used on '66 and then back to the breaker for '67/'68.  I have seen '66-'68 with both and the FAM (while not always correct) shows the fusible link for '66/'67/'68.

Can anyone confirm which style was used in each year?  And if the "65" breaker was used on "early" '65s as well, or if there may be a different from early to late '65 production.
I have only seen the separate terminal block and fusible link on the 66,67,and 68 's I have worked on .Thats not to the other type wasn't used because I am not sure on that point but if so It wasn't in the majority IMO.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline Oz390

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2016, 06:07:30 PM »
Thanks Bob, that aligns with the ones I've seen (small sample in the grand scheme). 

There seems to be some opinion that it was '66 only but I can't find any solid supporting documentation to confirm that view...

Any further input to confirm off known originals would be appreciated.
8R03S : 76A I 2A 15M 72 5 U
8R01S : 65A B 2A 28M 72 7 5 - Factory GT
8R01C : 65A M 2A 01E 72 2 W - Cal Special
8F01X : 65A I 2A 2G 20E 24 1 U - EXP500 repli-bute

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2016, 10:30:16 PM »
Took a look through the collection

Believe these are all original examples. There were a few more but its often difficult to determine if the car was ordered with the power top and often no pictures of the area

5F08C2726xx




5F08A7275xx





5R08C1817xx




6F08C1701xx





6R08A1174xx





6R08A2283xx




8T03J1186xx





8T03T2034xx

Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline Oz390

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2016, 03:20:17 AM »
Thanks very much Jeff, that looks like all the confirmation I need to document the breaker as '65 and the fusible link in '66-'68 in my book... matches the FAMs too...

Anyone willing to donate a clear photo of a '65 breaker for potential publication? Not taking/re-using anything I did not photo myself without written permission.  If so, post or PM me for email for the photo and give me name/alias for credit with the pic.

Can't be sure if/when I'll ever get it done or published, but slowly working thru the documenting, back checking all the info will take months.... if not years of part time effort...  been plugging away, 395 pages, 57,568 words and counting... and still more items newly discovered in the last few months to add.  If I knew then what I know now I may never have started it... and that's all just on '65-'68 convertible specific info... shoulda stuck to hardtops! ;-)

A few other photos I could use, if anyone wants to donate to the cause... don't have many documented originals here in Brisbane.

- a picture of a '66 apron if it has dimples for the location of the fusible link (taken on a coupe or fastback, preferably from the outside with fender off.  I have a '67/'68 in the same orientation and alignment of the photos would be good.  They are on 67/68s, not sure about 66's.. I think so but am not sure... and it looks like the location moved a bit, more rearward on the 67/68's)
- '67 top feed wiring showing taping to main harness
- '65 and '66 location of firewall penetration of top feed thru firewall
- '67 top switch on dash
8R03S : 76A I 2A 15M 72 5 U
8R01S : 65A B 2A 28M 72 7 5 - Factory GT
8R01C : 65A M 2A 01E 72 2 W - Cal Special
8F01X : 65A I 2A 2G 20E 24 1 U - EXP500 repli-bute

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 65-68 convertible top feed breaker vs fusible link
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2016, 06:00:55 PM »
Some dash switches for 67





Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)