I just picked up a 73 for parts. Kinda hit the jackpot. At some point in its life it threw the timing chain and the PO replaced the e88 head with an e31:D and I also ended up with a complete front clip, only surface rust and a grapefruit alternator!!!! Plus some other parts that I will probably sell to recoupe the $200.00 I got into the parts car. While stripping I found a perfect, un-melted fuse block mounted in the typical spot. I removed it with the pig tail in tact and started looking at my series 1 fuse block. I noticed that one of the fuse contacts on my series 1 fuse block was melted and the fuse didnt quite sit firmly in it.

My question is this: They look identical, are they interchangable?

Thanks,

John

Other than the length of the pigtail, I believe yes. Each wire is easy to trace, you can match them up. The 73 block just can't be mounted in the stock location.

I have a nearly perfect long tail fuse block if worse comes to worse. PM me for details.

Jim

The mounting holes appeared the same at first glance. I will have to look again tonight.

John

One of the main power leads is different, as I recall. On the long-tail, there is a heavy gauge white wire (maybe with a black trace?) that is soldered to the fusebox and connects to the harness with a large blade terminal inside a white plastic connector. In the later short-tail box this wire from the dash harness connects directly to a terminal on the back of the fusebox using a screw.

Other connectors on the pigtails may be different also, I never looked into that. Plus the fact that the dash harness connectors on the Series 1 car probably won't reach the shorter pigtails on the later fusebox—at least not without some creativity in routing.

In short, I suspect that the later fusebox could be made to work, but it will likely require a bit of re-wiring.

In short, I suspect that the later fusebox could be made to work, but it will likely require a bit of re-wiring.

Arne,

I plan to rewire with my existing long pigtail. With that said, is the orientation of the wiring the same on both blocks?

John

If I understand what you are planning, yes, I believe all the fuses and circuits are in the same spots on both styles.

Thanks Arne. I will give it a go this weekend. Jim, if I dont like the results I may take you up on your offer.

Thanks again,

John

...a grapefruit alternator!!!!

Not to change the subject...what is a grapefruit alternator? I've not heard that term before.

Not to change the subject...what is a grapefruit alternator? I've not heard that term before.

The early 45 amp 240z alternators on series 1 cars had triangular cut out sections on the rear of the housing that resembled sections of a grapefruit that had been cut in half.