Cigarette lighter elements

[Harmon C.]

Do the numbers on casco elements refer to a year or a model number? Is a 63 a 1963 or model 63? Thanks Lyle

[Dick W.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Casco 63 was used for several years. The actual element went through several changes though. I think that the next element was Casco '78. Pete Lindal can expand on what little knowledge that I have. He knows all of the running changes on the elements

[Jack H.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Dates embossed in ash guard of Casco cig element appear to coincide with 'first use' episode. Prior to '63 the ash guard read simply 'Casco 12V'. But, when the 12V automatic lighter first appeared ('55 for Corvette), there was no retractable ash guard feature on the element and it came along a year later (1956). Other GM cars may have embraced the 12V element before Corvette in '55.

The 63 Casco element was used through '71 or '72. There IS a version with '72 Casco 12V' embossed on the ash guard, but it's a LONG barrel similar to the '56-62 version that had no 'date' preceeding the emboss.

You'll find a short barrel version embossed '73 Casco 12V' and one that followed with '78 Casco 12V' embossed on the ash guard. Both of these are short barrel versions that function as substitutes for the earlier '63 unit but they have slightly different construction formats (e.g. lacking the white ceramic insulator behind the heating element and a metal vs. black Bakelite knob screw-in platform)....

[Harmon C.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

The question has come up many times and by your description it is a date but it also is a model as the number was changed when some part was different. I have said it is a part number because in 1995 I bought a 73 Casco at K-Mart. The number only is the first year used and as an example the 73-74 TIM&JG wants to see a 63 even thou their was a 72&73 model or date when the cars were built. Lyle

[Reba Whittington]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Ditto for the 1970-72 manual, Lyle. Even though the JG says that some '72s could have a model 72, I have never seen one. I have seen lots of the 78 as service replacements.

[Terry M.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Reba,
When I was doing the research for the 1970-1972 TIM&JG I found a couple of the Casco 72s in cars that seemed to be original. The giveaway is the handle is different - chrome plated metal rather than the black rubber. Maybe everyone is changing them before we see the cars.

[Jack H.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Yep, the 72 Casco DOES have a metal knob screw-in platform just as the 73 and 78 Casco elements do, Terry. But, check again....

Set your 72 Casco end to end against 63/73/78 Casco elements and you'll find it's a LONG barrel element--identical to the length used in straight axle cars when the barrel was simply embossed 'Casco 12V'.

Soooo, I say we should check the AIM books for a change in lighter socket/element P/N change in '72 vs. '71 and earlier! If the 72 element really replaced the 63 element in 1972, there should be a corresponding PN change for BOTH the element and the mating socket. A '72 element will NOT sit flush in the short depth sockets designed to accept 63/73/78 Casco elements--it's too darn long!

If you go to WalMart and shop the current era Casco products offered in blister pack, you should find they offer two forms (short and long barrel). In the short barrel setup, you'll get a '78 Casco today. In the long barrel selection, you'll get a '72 Casco. Neither will have the black Bakelite platform to screw the knob into nor will they have the white ceramic insulator behind the heating element (progress--design improvement & cost reduction)....

[Terry M.]

Re: Cigarette lighter elements

Jack,
I am well aware that the 63 & 72 CASCO parts do not interchange. I also learned a long time ago not to rely exclusively on the AIM. The cars will tell us far more than the AIM, but it is nice to have the AIM confirm what we find on the cars.

The first 1972 I found with the metal handle and 72 CASCO element I figured Bubba had been there. After the third one I became a little less skeptical. After ten I became a believer.

You can rate this element with the collapsible antennae found on too many 1971s.