Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

[Jerry B.]

Hello , I Have Started Spring Cleaning On My 69 Corvette Sept.68 Build. I Noticed The Element Is Dated 68 Stamped In The Outer Housing. My Question , Is There Any Body That Rebuilds Your Dated Casco Element?

[Peter L.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Jerry - Very interesting. I would expect the original Casco lighter element on a 1968 Corvette to be stamped 63 CASCO 12V. Please double check to confirm that the 8 is not a 3. Off hand I don't know anyone who rebuilds the elements, but it must be possible because somebody made them.

Anyway, if it is a 63 CASCO element, they are around and it might be just as easy to find a good used or NOS one. Good luck.

Pete

[Joseph H.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Jerry, It should be stamped 63 if original the the car. Beyond that I am interested in knowing more about your car. I too have a sept 68' build and at times find it very difficult to find parts and information on the changes made between early and late 69's. Mine is a Red/Black L46 convertible.

Have you owned the car long? Has it been restored or close to original. If very original I would love to see tons of pics, as I am in the process of working on mine now.

Joe

[Wayne M.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Jerry - Very interesting. I would expect the original Casco lighter element on a 1968 Corvette to be stamped 63 CASCO 12V. ....

Pete -- how often was the design / marking on the Casco lighter elements changed ? Big pic is of an NOS "63 CASCO 12V.". Thumbnail below big pic is of a "72.CASCO.12V" (first line -- The periods are actually dots at mid-height); "MADE IN USA" (second line).

[Jack H.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

There were different versions of Casco's 12V light element; basically 'short' and 'long' body. The 'date' aspect appears related to the debut of a given version of the lighter element and NOT the actual date of its manufacture.

The 'long' body version was embossed simply 'Casco 12V'. It's design tweaked 'son' was embossed '72 Casco 12V'.

The first 'short' body element was embossed '63 Casco 12V' and would later make a transistion to '73 Casco 12V' and then '78 Casco 12V'.

Basically, other than the short/long aspects of the two light elements' overall length, the date related differences pertain to design/construction aspects of the part (e.g. cost reductions).

The early version used a Bakelite anchor plate for the knob to screw into and a white ceramic heat shield behind the heater element. That would change over time with the Bakelite being replaced by a stamped SS anchor plate, the ceramic heat shield being eliminated, and the specific geometry of the outer sliding ash guard (where this/that reinforcing rib is) being changed...

The short vs. long issue seems to deal with how much behind the mounting lip clearance was available in a given application. The mating power sockets for the two versions of the element also change in their overall length/depth...

[Dennis C.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Jack,

Good information. Can you align the changes with approximate dates?

Dennis

[Jack H.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Dah... I think I just did!

[Jerry B.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Hello Again Yes ,i Doubled Checked My Orginal Lighter And Indeed It Is A Casco '63' Not A 68. I Guess I Need A New Pair Of Glasses. Twenty Years Ago Or So, My Car Was Trying To Tell Me To " Stop Smoking". That Way, I Would Have Had A Nos Element. We Think We Are So Smart! These Boards Are The Best Source In Info.

[Kurt G.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

One thing you might try is to get a new, replacement lighter element from any vendor (Paragon, Volunteer, etc.) and carefully disassemble your dated lighter and replace the old element with the new element, being careful not to break off the tabs on the housing. It takes a pair of needle nose jewelers pliers, a little time and patience, but it can be done, and works well.

[Jerry B.]

Re: Dated Casco Lighter Element

Thanks Guys,alot Of Good Stuff.