ren

The headlights on my 63 flicker a little, but only at idle or low rpm. Over the last three years I have replaced most of the parts. I've replaced dash switch, dimmer switch, alternator and headlight bulbs. The wiring appears to be OK. I do have a new headlight harness and bucket harness(s), but haven't installed them yet. All connections seem to be fine. The lights seem to work fine until I come to a stop.

Frankie the Fink

First things first, check the tightness of your belts and then examine battery terminals for any corrosion..

wombvette

Well you hit all around it. Voltage regulator.

John McGraw

Wayne is exactly right! The fact that it only flickers at idle, pretty much eliminates all other components. No real need to look at anything else!
Put a solid state regulator on it, and never have to file or adjust the regulator points again.

Regards, John McGraw

ren

I have replaced the voltage regulator. Not sure if it's solid state or not.

Frankie the Fink

Hence, check your belt tension, corroded battery terminals and idle speed. Don't know why people want to start swapping parts before doing some basic troubleshooting.

If the flicker is the headlight switch thermal circuit breaker kicking in then you have a whole different ball game...many folks have had to add relays for individual headlights to take the load off of the dash switch - plenty of threads here on that topic....

ren

The belt tension is fine and there terminals are clean.

Ron Miller

What regulator did you install? Where did it come from, i.e., brand?

ren

I replaced the voltage regulator that is located on the passenger side of the engine compartment, about 8 or 9 inches behind the horn. Can't remember the brand. I probably bought it at Advance Auto.

lcpaca

A slight flicker of the lights is completely normal for cars equipped with mechanical voltage regulators, and does not necessarily mean there is a problem.

Frankie the Fink

Really ? My '61 doesn't flicker one whit - and that's with a generator...

ren

This might sound dumb, but what is a mechanical voltage regulator? Are there other kinds? Can I switch to a non-mechanical one?

Ron Miller

Naw, really not a dumb question at all. You've almost certainly got a mechanical regulator given where you purchased it. It has a couple of sets of solenoids and points inside, the solenoids actuate the points to regulate the current.

The electronic type is just that, the points are replaced by integrated circuits. Similar to the built-in regulators in late model alternators, although it could be in a metal housing similar to your old regulator. You'd only know it was electronic in that case by pulling the cover to look. Yep, you can switch to an electronic type, but someone else will have to chime in with a source.

ren

If it makes a differance, although the car is a 63, the engine is a 69 350. If I switched to the more modern style voltage regulator, would I have to make any other modifications?

62Jeff

Generally speaking - no it's plug-and-play.

With any regulator you buy, you may have to drill a mounting hole in the body, for the capacitor to mount. On my 65, that capacitor is on the top of the regulator as seen here.

Silverblue64

Do you have a good ground on the voltage regulator?
I have had other cars (Pontiacs) with the flickering lights and getting a good ground to the regulator did make a difference.

I installed a solid state regulator on my '64 Corvette (AutoZone VR-715). Charges just fine and lights are bright and steady.

ren

Thanks for the many replies. I'll probably be waiting for advance auto to open their doors in the morning.

MiguelsC2

I know this is an old thread. Did your solid state regulator solve your flickering issue?