I'm trying to sort out just what is and isn't fused on an EM ('61) Corvair. I do appreciate that the manual breaks down the wire diagram by function, but unless I missed it I don't see an overall (master) diagram. A search indicates that the headlights are not fused but protected by a circuit breaker in the switch. I do see that the back up lights are fused separately. So, I am aware of these aspects.

At the fuse box (image below):

The Power In Red wire is intended what is labeled Heater Blower and Glove Box Light. However, there is no fuse connector (nor wire) on the other end to make that effective. Is this blower associated with the 1960 gas heater??? Also, there is no wire, switch or socket for a light at the glove box. Thus, is this fuse position irrelevant?

It looks like the same Power In Red wire bridges a feed directly (unfused) to the pink wire for the flasher. It also feeds to a 10 amp fuse associated with an orange wire. Is this for the tail, brake and turn signals?

The Power In Brown wire feeds to a 20 Amp fuse (it also bridges to a 4 amp Radio fuse). What items are fused on the 20 amp circuit?

The Purple Power In Wire feeds through a 3 amp fuse stated as Panel. Is this for any/all the cluster lights and gauge (fuel)?

As I see it there is one irrelevant fuse position that can't even complete a connection (Labelled - Heater Fan/Glove Box Light). The Radio fuse position also seems irrelevant given I will not have a radio and even if I did virtually every radio today has its own fuse in-line. Therefore the corroded fuse panel could simply be rectified with three, wired, in-line blade fuse holders. The molded in wire and the covering cap would seem to go a long way to preventing corrosion unlike the factory exposed fuse panel. Should I need a new source of power I will run another direct line to a mini fuse panel. I would have gone that route now but unless one gets into the very pricy stuff the fuse panels are singular input and by design the EM Corvair fuse panel has three distinct power inputs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2022 09:08PM by wittsend.

Unfused circuits in a '61 include:
Wipers
Ignition
Turn signals
Lighter
Horn

Headlights don't have a fuse but rather a circuit breaker.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

I solved all the fuse issues in my LM Vert, by installing Craig Nicol's fuse-panel.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
WA. state, 1 mile south of the Canadian border, I am not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

You will keep fighting that old panel and those old style glass fuses. This is how I took care of it!!

------------------------------------

Kevin Nash
Friday Harbor Washington
63 Spyder, Daily driver, EFI read about my project here: [corvaircenter.com]
first test start on EFI here:[www.youtube.com]
first official EFI boost test here:[www.youtube.com]
My new fan! [corvaircenter.com]
engine less 62 Spyder
Canadian 64 Monza Parts car
Test Start#2 [www.youtube.com]

I just remembered another unfused circuit in pre-"67 Corvairs: gauges

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

Both feeds from the + side of the battery are unfused. The big lead goes directly to the starter. The 10 ga. wire goes to the BAT terminal on the voltage regulator then feeds the fuse block. This feed wire goes through the rear firewall, snakes through the tunnel and toe board, unprotected. It is now fused with a 40A fuse after almost losing my wagon on the way to the Knoxville convention.
68-69 models and possibly 67's protected this circuit with fusible links.

Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Stock
Been Aircooled Since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/2022 11:13AM by Wagon Master.

Wagon Master Wrote:
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> Both feeds from the + side of the battery are unfused. The big lead goes directly to the starter. The 10 ga. wire goes to the BAT terminal on the voltage regulator then feeds the fuse block. This feed wire goes through the rear firewall, snakes through the tunnel and toe board, unprotected. It is now fused with a 40A fuse after almost losing my wagon on the way to the Knoxville convention.
> 68-69 models and possibly 67's protected this circuit with fusible links.

Craig replies:Good summary of the path of "Battery +" to the fuse block. It continues unfused to the headlight switch, ignition switch, and lighter.
In 60-66 models and FC trucks, this high current circuit is completely unprotected. '67-9 models include a fusible link at the battery to protect it.

A 60 to 100 amp main fuse near the battery is highly recommended for all 60-67 models. I do offer a main fuse kit at my website. http://www.racersrods.com/product-p/mf-60.htm]Click for main fuse kit[/url]

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

One more question about this; I just converted my '62 Monza convert from manual to a power top. It works fine but I don't know if it needs or should have a fused 12 volt supply to the switch.( the pump is electric & operates the hydraulic cylinders that raise & lower the top.) I don't know the amperage draw of the motor but would guess that its about the same as a heater blower motor.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. ( Also, please see my new topic on rebuilding the hydraulic cylinders)

Doug Ward
Orange, Calif.
65 Corsa 180, 64 Monza convertible, 61 Lakewood, 61 Monza

Doug, I don't have an EM, and my convertible is a manual top, BUT I seem to recall reading that the power-tops had a Automatic Circuit Breaker somewhere in the wiring.
Maybe someone will confirm or disprove that soon.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
WA. state, 1 mile south of the Canadian border, I am not at the end of the world, but you can see it from here.

Hi Mel, There is a difference between the EM & LM top mechanisms. The EM has an electric motor / pump that makes the hydraulic cylinders move up & down. The LM is all electric. I haven't worked on one of those yet but I'm guessing that the actuators are jack screws. The only example I can think of that uses jack screws is the horizontal stabilizer trim mechanism on large airliner planes. They are electric.
I did get a complete wiring harness with / for my system but did not find any circuit breaker or fuse. Only a female wire fitting that pushes on to an unused prong sticking out of the fuse box. Its "hot" all the time, even when the ign switch is off. I might be able to find a fused terminal to plug it into but with what amperage ? Which circuit could it double up too without overloading it ?

Doug Ward
Orange, Calif.
65 Corsa 180, 64 Monza convertible, 61 Lakewood, 61 Monza

American Mel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doug, I don't have an EM, and my convertible is a manual top, BUT I seem to recall reading that the power-tops had a Automatic Circuit Breaker somewhere in the wiring.
> Maybe someone will confirm or disprove that soon.

That is correct, the earlies (and also lates I believe) had a circuit breaker installed for the power top. Clark’s sells both the breakers and the power top harness. Here’s the breaker on my ‘63 mounted just to right of the radio (left side of this photo with the two yellow wires running to it).

---

‘63 Monza Spyder convertible [www.corvairforum.com]
SF Bay Area, CA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2022 12:49AM by Beers.

Thank you beers, that is just what I needed to know. I'll order the breaker next week & put it in the power wire.

Doug Ward
Orange, Calif.
65 Corsa 180, 64 Monza convertible, 61 Lakewood, 61 Monza

DOUG WARD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you beers, that is just what I needed to know. I'll order the breaker next week & put it in the power wire.

Craig adds: As far as I know, it takes a 20A ratingon the breaker, Doug.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

On the lates it is located next to the battery.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

Craig, according to Clarks catalog, they list the EM circuit breaker at 40 amps. You are saying 20 amps. I'm confused.

Doug Ward
Orange, Calif.
65 Corsa 180, 64 Monza convertible, 61 Lakewood, 61 Monza

DOUG WARD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Craig, according to Clarks catalog, they list the EM circuit breaker at 40 amps. You are saying 20 amps. I'm confused.

I'd have to look at the parts manual. I don't trust either source! Lol

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

DOUG WARD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Craig, according to Clarks catalog, they list the EM circuit breaker at 40 amps. You are saying 20 amps. I'm confused.

Craig replies: The parts manual only lists a circuit breaker for a late model and that one is rated at 40A. An educated guess would say a breaker with a 40A rating is probably fine for an early model too.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

Well, as I was lying upside down under the dash today, I looked up at the brace next to where the radio goes & WA LA, there is the undiscovered circuit breaker for the power top . I must have got it when I got the wiring harness ,& mounted it so I wouldn't lose it & then forgot about it. The top conversion is now complete, working well.
Thanks for the help guys. Doug Ward

Doug Ward
Orange, Calif.
65 Corsa 180, 64 Monza convertible, 61 Lakewood, 61 Monza