Does anyone have any experience / tips on a replacement unit for the factory fuse box. Ideally keep the same location above bulkhead. 

Ashdowns or other electrical wholesalers have a number of different aftermarket fuse boxes available, the PF rating is important ( waterproof capability )something about 65 should keep you out of trouble.  I don't know how the wiring feeds in on the standard one, mine had already been changed to aftermarket when I got the car , it lives behind the glovebox inside up on the firewall..  depending on  how many connections you need you might go for a larger one depending on stereo or other additions to the system.

NQRS
Ashdowns or other electrical wholesalers have a number of different aftermarket fuse boxes available, the PF rating is important ( waterproof capability )something about 65 should keep you out of trouble.  I don't know how the wiring feeds in on the standard one, mine had already been changed to aftermarket when I got the car , it lives behind the glovebox inside up on the firewall..  depending on  how many connections you need you might go for a larger one depending on stereo or other additions to the system.

I'll look into it. The wires feed to the underside of the fuse box on standard one. Hoping to keep this configuration. 
 
 

Please let us all know how you get on MK2 Pete; I'm sure a lot of us are still running nasty old wiring.

I’ve been looking at these as the new engine with EFI needs additional fuses and relays. Plus adding relays to take the load from 30 year old switch gear has to be a good thing.

https://www.swe-check.com.../product_list_range/11

Flighter
Please let us all know how you get on MK2 Pete; I'm sure a lot of us are still running nasty old wiring.

Will do mate. I'm not in a hurry to get it done just yet as everything is still functional. I'll keep you posted though. 

Hi Paul,
That's a good link you posted, some very good options for different setups.  I got my sparky to add an auxiliary fuse box behind the passenger side kick panel to take feeds for the extra gauges etc.

Do you have any pics of the additional fuses Len? I'm obviously going through this at the moment as EFI etc adds more load to the basic Escort circuits and need more fuses?

Hi Paul,
I 'll get the RS out of the carport on Saturday and get some pictures.  The other alternative, depending on room in your engine bay, is to get a fuse box from a late model car, they usually have higher amp fused relays in them which might cope better with the extra load- just a thought...regardless Ill get you pics and a description of what I have in the RS.
Cheers, Len

Hi Paul,
Just realised that I had already posted a picture of the auxilliary fuse box on page 3 of my build thread. It's nothing fancy, I'm pretty sure that my sparky ran a power feed from the original fuse box and earthed it to the inner panel behind the kick panel.  It's just an aftermarket fuse box, similar to some of the ones in the link you posted.  The set of VDO gauges in my old switch panel are hooked up to it.
Cheers, Len