[C2] Changing a Tail Light Bulb
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 6
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From: Mt. Prospect, IL
Changing a Tail Light Bulb
Can someone tell me how to remove the tail light on my 1965 corvette? I need to replace the bulb so I took out the screws but it doesn't want to move. What am I doing wrong? Also, should I stay with period-correct bulbs or go with Halogen?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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you remove the two screws in the lenses and the plastic lenses should pop out. if not then the gasket is keeping it stuck to the housing, it take a standard 1157 bulb. you could swap out to LED bulbs then you would need to change the flasher for LED
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,992
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From: Cold Harbor, VA
Get your fingers on the bulb, push in and turn a quarter turn counter-clockwise.. The bulb will pop out.. EZ. Go back in with incandescent bulbs.. They work fine for our very limited use, fair weather weekend cruisers..
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Australia
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Halog...Cl9FvNVn10SQos
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,611
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From: Oceanside CA
Also, the bulbs are "indexed" in that there is a right and wrong way to put in. You will notice the lugs on the side of the bulg are not at the same level. If you already knew that please disregard.
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Race Director
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From: NorCal
When removing the bulbs there are a couple of things I have encountered. If they have been in there a long time some corrosion can occur. I recommend spraying some WD40 or similar around the base of the bulb and into the socket and letting it sit for a day or so before attempting removal.
Always wear gloves and be careful when pushing and turning as described in the posts above. That old glass can get brittle and shatter when twisting and pushing.
Sometimes the glass will come loose from the base when trying to remove it. In that case you will need long needle nose pliers to grab the edge of the base to remove it.
If the bulb/base is really stuck/ corroded in there you may need to break/remove the glass anyway so as to be able to grip the base.
In any case I recommend cleaning the contacts in the socket before installing a new bulb. Use some WD40 or similar with a Q tip and a pencil eraser to clean the contacts.
Always wear gloves and be careful when pushing and turning as described in the posts above. That old glass can get brittle and shatter when twisting and pushing.
Sometimes the glass will come loose from the base when trying to remove it. In that case you will need long needle nose pliers to grab the edge of the base to remove it.
If the bulb/base is really stuck/ corroded in there you may need to break/remove the glass anyway so as to be able to grip the base.
In any case I recommend cleaning the contacts in the socket before installing a new bulb. Use some WD40 or similar with a Q tip and a pencil eraser to clean the contacts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,197
Likes: 4,184
From: Kannapolis NC
When removing the bulbs there are a couple of things I have encountered. If they have been in there a long time some corrosion can occur. I recommend spraying some WD40 or similar around the base of the bulb and into the socket and letting it sit for a day or so before attempting removal.
Always wear gloves and be careful when pushing and turning as described in the posts above. That old glass can get brittle and shatter when twisting and pushing.
Sometimes the glass will come loose from the base when trying to remove it. In that case you will need long needle nose pliers to grab the edge of the base to remove it.
If the bulb/base is really stuck/ corroded in there you may need to break/remove the glass anyway so as to be able to grip the base.
In any case I recommend cleaning the contacts in the socket before installing a new bulb. Use some WD40 or similar with a Q tip and a pencil eraser to clean the contacts.
Always wear gloves and be careful when pushing and turning as described in the posts above. That old glass can get brittle and shatter when twisting and pushing.
Sometimes the glass will come loose from the base when trying to remove it. In that case you will need long needle nose pliers to grab the edge of the base to remove it.
If the bulb/base is really stuck/ corroded in there you may need to break/remove the glass anyway so as to be able to grip the base.
In any case I recommend cleaning the contacts in the socket before installing a new bulb. Use some WD40 or similar with a Q tip and a pencil eraser to clean the contacts.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
FWIW, I used #1250 bulbs (also 50 watt) for my back up lights. Didn't hurt the lenses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,197
Likes: 4,184
From: Kannapolis NC
I kinda worried about that when I put in those 10w/50w bulbs. Didn't hurt the lenses at all. The glass envelope is much smaller than a 1157/2357 envelope so the hot surface is a bit farther away. Never had a problem with 2357s for that matter.
FWIW, I used #1250 bulbs (also 50 watt) for my back up lights. Didn't hurt the lenses.
FWIW, I used #1250 bulbs (also 50 watt) for my back up lights. Didn't hurt the lenses.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 780
Likes: 112
From: Redneck Riviera, FL
my lenses showed signs of melting even though they had the stock numbered bulbs. of course someone could have used hotter bulbs at some point in the past and then changed them back. out of caution, i space the new lenses out with two gaskets. can't tell it.