Sealed Beam Headlights

[Michael H.]

Re: Sealed Beam Headlights

I haven't run into that problem, at all. In the 66, I have aircraft landing lights in the high beams and auto parts lamps for the low beams.

Back in the 70's, I was buying NOS headlamp assy's from passenger cars just to get the new T3 bulbs. Even then many would fizzle immediately when turned on. It all depends on how well the glass was sealed when new. Some only lasted a year, others lasted many decades.

As far as trying to seal the glass around the connectors, that's a little like closing the fence gate after the horse ran away. If air entered the lamp in the last 40 years, sealing them today means nothing. The damage is already done and you may as well power it up to see if it's still working.

I see no advantage to warming the lamp before testing. These things can sit outside in Intl Falls, MN in -30* and work perfectly when turned on.

[John D.]

Re: Sealed Beam Headlights

Michael, RJ says the same as you. Says put the juice to those suckers and let them smoke. That's nice if you have a dozen to pick from but I only have two extra NOS low beams. I almost agree with John H about repro bulbs. Lets talk about interior bulbs. My interior judge mentioned the fact that I didn't have the correct small grape shaped courtesy bulbs. Those are hard to find. Mine were 1004 and shaped like a pear.
Anyhow bought some #90's at Carquest and at least they are round shaped but the globe is too big.Old courtesy lite bulbs are junkyard stuff. So you don't think putting crap around the terminals will help preserve a NOS T3??? I am going to try it anyhow. BG was looking at my headlight bulbs trying to figure out if they were real or repros. Said wow this car actually has genuine bulbs. Still got a ding though.Your friend is one tough judge. Really knows his stuff. Jr.

[Michael H.]

Be Strong John......

I agree with RJ. What good are they if you don't use them? If not installed, then they're of no greater value than that of one that HAS been installed and fizzled. They may have died 10 years ago, just waiting for the proper burial ceremony. Be strong John, plug em in and test em. They don't wear out. (by the way, next year, the candle power will be tested at the FL meet so you must have pre 64 lamps in your 63)

Wondewr if there's any way to tell the difference between the 58-63 lamp and the 64 and later, other than it's brightness??

Yes, Bob Gregory has been around the block a few times when it comes to Corvettes. Very knowledgeable. The real kind of knowledge, not the stuff that comes out of books.

[John D.]

Re: Be Strong John......

Michael, Bob Gregory judges a car different from anyone I have ever witnessed. For example on exterior he looked at everything on the car. Then he got the judging sheets and did his thing. Really knows what he is talking about on 63 and 64's. I really appreciated his criticism as I knew it was genuine. CC did a good job picking him for his team. Now if RJ would come out of the closet and judge we would have something. Jr.

[Michael H.]

Re: Be Strong John......

Pretty sure RJ's judging days are over. We were on the 63 team at BG for what seemed like decades and when he finally had enough, I couldn't talk him out of it. Probably had something to do with the "cold cuts" at the dinner for the judges. (or was that Bill Mock?) Lotta knowledge there.

[Robert Jorjorian]

I got a deal 4 U

John, I'd love to judge 63s again and especially your car BUT I'd need to have my main brain Mr Michael Hanson on the same judging team.
Run it by your buddy Carlton and if its a GO we can start at OLD TOWN in January.........nice chop on "out of the closet"
Hope all your NOS T3s are burning brite that day, Robert

[John D.]

Re: I got a deal 4 U

Robert, Look forward to you and Michael judging my 63. I am sure if Bob G gave it his blessing then You and MH will like it also. I assume that both of you are at least a master judge two or three times over otherwise you can just be an observer judge. That's the best way for you to learn what aa real 63 looks like. Thanks, John

[Patrick H.]

Re: Sealed Beam Headlights

No.

[Harmon C.]

Oven baking seal beams Update

I put six 72 T-3's in the oven at the lowest setting and left them for five hours. Two had not been tested the other four I smoked last night. Of the four I tested last nite and only left the power on a few seconds I tested after baking and they all smoked again. The two that were new one smoked and one was good.

Lyle

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Oven baking seal beams Update

Once the bulb has developed a leak and air has replaced the vacuum in it, there is no home remedy to make it work again. If saving original T-3s is really that important, there is only one possible way to do it.

Completely reseal the areas around the conductors where they pass through the glass (use the same potting compound as used for electrical vacuum tubes-forget RTV!). THEN, polish up your glass blowing skills. Cut off the end of the glass tube "nub" from the center of the back and apply a vacuum source (a pump). You'll probably have to "mate" another piece of glass tubing of the same diameter to it first to make it long enough to attach the fitting. Pull it down to at least 50 millitore (or minus 20"), THEN seal off the remaining glass stub below the vacuum fitting to the pump with your tiny torch, melting away the extended tube and fitting from the bulb.

Now you have a bulb that is evacuated the same way as the original was, and if it doesn't already show signs of black soot inside the lens, it will probably work fine. Not too much work, is it?.........(HA!)

Verne

[John D.]

Re: Oven baking seal beams Update

Lyle, Can't believe you smoked all the bulbs. DOn't know what I am going to do with mine. I studied a NOS low beam under a mag lamp and see that the sealant around the prongs is cracking and has seen better days. Michael H and others are correct in their findings. I think we should reseal this with gorilla stuff before we test any. Although it may be too late. I think I will test on with a 6 volt battery charger to warm it up a touch and then go to a 12 volt battery that is not fully charged and then full tilt. If it smokes better it smokes before all the work of installing it. Looks like LL gonna get rich on repros if this is any indication of what we have to look forward to. John

[Joseph T.]

No problem!

I just sent two original 63 hi beam bulbs to another member and tested them with a battery before sending them. Neither one smoked.

Must be lucky..

Hope they work upon arrival..the price was right!

Joe Trybulec

[Harmon C.]

Re: No problem!

I think this case is just been droped or was not made good originaly. The number of bulbs that burn out in a case is usally much less. As the value to replace them goes up the idea to try to save them in any way is greater. I will just test the other six on a weak battery first but I doubt it helps.
Lyle

[Joe C.]

Re: Sealed Beam Headlights

John,

It only helps to apply sealant if the seals haven't leaked yet. If you've already lost vacuum in the beam, then there's no point in sealing them.......the damage has already been done.

Test them, and if you're lucky they won't burn out. If you seal them at this point, then you've managed to save them.

Joe

[Joe C.]

Did You Baste Them, And Turn Them ..........

.......over every hour?