C2 Parking Light Boot Covering

[Alan Drake]

Was cleaning a parking light and decided to use the NOS instead. Notice a difference, the socket end of the metal is covered with a boot (looks like heat shrink) Now none of the NOS units (have 3 from mid 70's) have any covering of the metal socket. Did some searching but nothing seems to cover this configuration. Even looked at Lectric Limited, but they are the same, bare socket.
Anyone know the story behind the socket boot?

Thanks
Alan

[Bob B.]

Re: C2 Parking Light Boot Covering

Alan,

The lack of boot is just one of innumerable examples of the carelessness that goes into many repro items. Reuse an original boot if it is in good shape.

Or, I can't remember what it's called, but there is some sort of black heat-shrink plastic tube or sheath stuff that is used in the electrical industry to wrap bunches of wires together. Just get a size just big enough to fit over the socket, cut it the size of the original boot, and apply heat with a hot air gun.

Good luck!

Bob

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Parking Light Boot Covering

Alan, you didn't indicate which light you were working on, Front or rear.

The front parking light does not have a boot over the metal extension on the back of the chrome housing. The wires are in a black tube which is crimped inside the metal extension. The other end of the tubing is heat sealed around the wires.
Photos from a 67....

The rear lights have a boot that slips over the metal extension. It typically is on the wire harness. After inserting the wire/contact piece into the extension, the boot is slipped onto the metal extension. I don't have a photo.

[Alan Drake]

Re: C2 Front Parking Light

It appears that the boot over the socket was a 63 feature, however I have a Mar64. But if any were in the factory (left overs) then I believe it would be used. So just another 63/64 not by the book item.
Yes shrink tube with a heat gun will be used on the NOS if I decide to use the NOS parking lights. Also noticed the color of lens is darker than the NOS lamps, that may be to much sun.
Thanks