I recently bought an 87 Ram b250 with a blown slant 6. I put a new engine and tranny out of an 86 Dodge truck in it and the motor turns over by hand. When I turn the key, nothing happens. After messing around under the steering column, a wire started to melt behind the brake booster. I checked the fuse box in the glove box and the #8 fuse was blown. I replaced it and tried again and the fuse blew again. Is there a wire shorted out somewhere? I don't have an owner's manual anymore so I don't even know what that fuse is for. Please let me know if you have any idea what might be going on!

 

I do not have a manual handy but there are a number of major wires that run along the back of the engine bay behind the brake booster. If you dig around you will eventually find that this loom also has fusible links within it that should be checked.

The owners manual really is the only good source for the fuse ratings and descriptions. You may need to talk to your Dodge dealer to tell you what the fuses are if you cannot find a manual.

Somebody may be able to help if you provide the colour coding on the wire.

Regards, Steve

 

Because of what you did, 87 Ram b250 with a blown slant 6. I put a new engine and tranny out of an 86 Dodge truck, you need two service manuals, one for the 87 Ram B250 and the other for the motor, 86 Dodge truck whatever model that was. You can get them from FAXON or by just doing a plain and simple Google search. Checkout FAXON.

The manuals will provide some "clarafications" as to your modifications. Do not approach engine swaps blindly as the electronics do change drastically as time goes on.