1961 Turn Signal Flasher - What is correct?

[Rick B.]

The turn signals on my '61 quit working recently and swapping in a new turn signal flasher has them blinking again. The old (failed) flasher was a cylindrical Tung-Sol 536, gold in color, approximately 1 7/8" in length. I have no idea if the Tung-Sol 536 is original to the car. However, since I would like to find a suitable replacement, what is the NCRS accepted turn signal flasher for a '61? Thanks.

[Donald L.]

Re: 1961 Turn Signal Flasher - What is correct?

You need a 3 lamp flasher.

Tung Sol AP373V
Signal Stat 143

[Rick B.]

Re: 1961 Turn Signal Flasher - What is correct?

Thanks Don. The Tung Sol 536 always "blinked" too fast, now I know why. I'm using an Auto Value replacement for now until I can locate one of the recommended flashers. Were the Signal Stat 143's and the Tung Sol AP373V's used in other full size passenger cars of the period? I really appreciate your help.

[John T.]

Re: 1961 Turn Signal Flasher - What is correct?

Actually the Signal Stat ZN332 is the unit seen most commonly on Bowtie cars. Since the AIM shows 2 optional part numbers (3758682 and 3758683) there apparently was more than one possibility.

Hope this helps

John

[Peter L.]

Re: 1961 Turn Signal Flasher - What is correct?

Rick - The T-S 536 was not an OE flasher on the 61 or in fact or any GM turn signal flasher system. All GM turn signal flasher were fixed load flasher for the number of lamps , i.e., bulbs, in the system, e.g., 2 lamps (1 front & 1 rear) or 3 lamps (1 front & 2 rear). Corvettes turn signal flashers were either 2 or 3 (side lamps don't count) lamp systems. The fixed load flashers are deigned such that if a lamp is burned out the flasher stops flashing so the driver know that there is a problem in the turn signal system. The T-S is a variable load flasher and these flashers are designed to operate from 1 to 8 lamps and on GM cars are used in the hazard lamp systems, but the will work in the turn signal systems but they will keep flashing even if a lamp is burned out (down to the last lamp standing) thus eliminating the safety feature designed into the fixed load flashers.
In addition the lamp load, i.e., 2 or 3; the fixed load flashers are designed for the type of bulbs used in the time period of production, so flashers used on pre-1964 Production were different than 1964 and newer.
As far as the rate of flashing, there is as far as I have been able to ascertain a fairly large acceptable range of flashing rates up to plus or minus approximately 50% of the average flasher flashing rate of about 1 flash per second; so flashing rates are subject to the "eye of the beholder" even though they may well be within the range of the average acceptable rate.
Pete