'73 dim headlights
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Junction City Oregon
'73 dim headlights
i am new to this car, but man it sure seems these headlights are dimmer than should be. the electrical is stock. is this a known issue, and what to do? do i need to go to a boosted system?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
try this
Are you running the old sealed beam headlights?
Go down the the local autozone/ parts store and get a new set of halogen bulbs. They are now a direct fit into the original harness... I had one headlight go out on me and replaced it with the halogen, it was so bright the next night one side i could see well out in front of the car on one side while the other barely past the bumper it seamed. I replaced tham all and have been quite happy with the results. The only thing I have to deal with is I have an old points style voltage regulator in my 68 so the lights dim and brighten with idle while sitting. thoisugh with your car you souldnt have tht problem.
The second thing to consider it this. In thes older cars, the power to the light has to go through the all of the old wiring in the car. there is an aftermarket kit that allows you to power the light directly fromthe voltage source I.e "Boosted system" with an under the hood wiring modification whille keeping the original switch. I have not tried this myself, but it will work and increase the brightness of the lamps too.
Id try the halogen bulbs first though
tim
Go down the the local autozone/ parts store and get a new set of halogen bulbs. They are now a direct fit into the original harness... I had one headlight go out on me and replaced it with the halogen, it was so bright the next night one side i could see well out in front of the car on one side while the other barely past the bumper it seamed. I replaced tham all and have been quite happy with the results. The only thing I have to deal with is I have an old points style voltage regulator in my 68 so the lights dim and brighten with idle while sitting. thoisugh with your car you souldnt have tht problem.
The second thing to consider it this. In thes older cars, the power to the light has to go through the all of the old wiring in the car. there is an aftermarket kit that allows you to power the light directly fromthe voltage source I.e "Boosted system" with an under the hood wiring modification whille keeping the original switch. I have not tried this myself, but it will work and increase the brightness of the lamps too.
Id try the halogen bulbs first though
tim
Last edited by sweethence; Jan 12, 2006 at 12:45 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
with the above. If the local parts store has them, the Silverstar is an extremely bright bulb. I actually need to replace mine. Put one in when one went out and it's a little lopsided...lol. Try the bulbs first. My guess is, they're either the originals, or they were direct OEM replacements. Go with a direct fit aftermarket bulb and see if that fixes your problem.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
alot of guys change how the relay works for them so the power is cleaner check this out
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/rly-1.shtml
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/rly-1.shtml
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