Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

[Joe M.]

I installed a 2 candle power (cp) #57 bulb and it started out blinking bright and quickly faded to a dull glow. I went to NAPA and O'Reilly's Parts and the #90 bulbs are 50% larger than the original #90. The #90 is a 6 cp bulb. I believe the alarm system needs the 6 cp to operate correctly.

Any source(s) of correct size #90 bulbs?

[Russ S.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Check with Pete Lindahl. He may have one for you.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Vettegal has them.

[Joe M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Thanks for the info Dennis. I asked Pete in Kissimmee and he did not have them; will check Vette Gal.

[John D.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Joe, First time my 63 was judged I got dinged for the large #90 bulb. The little bulbs don't throw off much light but that's what you need for judging.
Who is Vette Gal? John

[Ruedi K.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Vette Gal is Mary Jo Rohner

http://stores.ebay.com/Vette-Gal-1953-62-Corvette-Part

[Joe M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

The correct #90 bulb is the same size as a dash bulb for a C1, but it is 6 candle power; dash bulbs are 1-2 candle power. #90 was also used in the dome lights on Chevy passenger cars and the Vette courtesy light.

[Richard M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Joe, Do you have the correct TungSol flasher? On my '59, the light comes on solid for a few seconds, then begins to flash the bulb.

SW2.jpg TS642_5.jpg TS642_1.jpg

[Dick W.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

If you cannot find the correct configured bulb, here is another old Indian trick (some call it cheating ). Get the amperage draw from the bulb specifications, get the amperage draw for the bulb you are using. Find someone that is good at electronics and let them tell you what resistor you need to make the flasher think the higher amperage bulb is installed. Install the resistor inline (concealed) on the + side of the bulb, voila, you have a flashing bulb!

[Richard M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Joe, Page 46 of this pdf from the GM Heritage site says the Park Brake Alarm is a #53 bulb, as is the High Beam indicator. The #90 is the Courtesy light bulb with 2 base contacts.

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits/Corvette/1960-Chevrolet-Corvette.pdf

[Dick W.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Joe, Page 46 of this pdf from the GM Heritage site says the Park Brake Alarm is a #53 bulb, as is the High Beam indicator. The #90 is the Courtesy light bulb with 2 base contacts.


http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs...t-Corvette.pdf

Yo' be right Rich. I think the confusion comes from the Sylvania catalog (and I would assume others) incorrectly call for the #90 bulb

[Richard M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Yo' be right Rich. I think the confusion comes from the Sylvania catalog (and I would assume others) incorrectly call for the #90 bulb

Good catch Dick.....I was wondering where that #90 reference came from. It'll never fit in the single contact socket for those applications. It's too big.

It's amazing how all these "little things" can be so much of a PITA.

I see on the Sylvania website it calls out the #90 for the Brake Warning lamp in error. S/B #53.

Here is the spec for the #53 bulb.....

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applications/automotive-lighting-systems/Pages/lrgproductspecs.aspx?partnumber=53

And the #57 spec here....(for other dash bulbs)

http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/applications/automotive-lighting-systems/Pages/lrgproductspecs.aspx?partnumber=57

Joe, Try the #53 that may be in the HB indicator socket in your EB flasher to see if it works better.

Rich

[Jim D.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

Joe, Do you have the correct TungSol flasher? On my '59, the light comes on solid for a few seconds, then begins to flash the bulb.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44504[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]44505[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]44506[/ATTACH]

Good question. The 55-57 cars used a #650 flasher that required a #90 bulb. He should have a #642 flasher and that requires a #57 bulb to be used.

[Joe M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

I am getting my info from the 1960 Operators Manual. It lists a #90 bulb for the parking brake alarm. I do have the Tung-Sol 642 flasher.

[Richard M.]

Re: Can't Find #90 Bulb for Parking Brake Alarm-1960

I am getting my info from the 1960 Operators Manual. It lists a #90 bulb for the parking brake alarm. I do have the Tung-Sol 642 flasher.

Joe, That must be a error in the OM book. The #90 cannot fit. Jim, in the previous post says the 56-57 uses the 90. It's a much bigger socket with the 2 contacts IIRC.

The GM spec says it's a #53 for 1960.