P15 Hood Ornament

[47heaven]

Hey...could someone with a parts book post a pic of the hood ornament light assembly? I received mine today from an Ebay auction win and the bulb was just taped around the plastic bottom portion of the insert. I don't think this was the original set up. Thanks!

[Harold M]

I,m interested to . My P15 looks like it never had a light in it, no sign of a socket or wiring.

[Plymouthy Adams]

it is just a small metal piece with a hole for the light socket to snap into...I have one in the shop....easy to make..it is mounted with the same screw that hold the lens to the housing.

[Dennis Hemingway]

At one time someone on this forum had the plans to make one, but I can't remember who it was. When my last computer crashed I lost my copy.

Dennis:(

[Norm's Coupe]

Dennis,

Really don't need any plans to make one of those. Just remove the plastic insert. Cut a piece of metal to fit in there. Drill a mounting hole for the screw, then solder a light socket to the piece of metal. Then run the wire to the light circuit, or better yet, put it on a separate toggle switch. I thought about making one for my coupe a long time ago. However, I rarely drive it at night anyway so never bothered.

[randroid]

I fitted a light for my P15. I didn't bother formulating any plans because it seemed obvious how it should go, but I located the light to the rear of the ornament so I wouldn't be distracted by the light. (My wife says I'm easily distracted by shiny objects.)

I also installed an in-line fuse because something sharp always found it's way through the insulation of the wire, and after I paint the hood I'm planning on using silicone to glue the wire between the hood halves, maybe preventing water from collecting in the plug wells.

All-in-all, it's just like Tim said so go for it.

-Randy

[Plymouthy Adams]

hang on a minute..when my movie goes off I will snap a shot of it...can put my hand on it very easily.

[Frank M.]

Hi. The lite-up kits were a aftermarket accessory. Some are still out there.

Niel Riddle was remaking them,but a P-15 owner told me he hasnt had any lately.

[Plymouthy Adams]

The measurement are as such..the hole fo rthe bulb is 5/8..the hole base flange is 7/8 square then is ground round on the end. The S shape is 1/2 high..the boottm mount flange is 5/8 inch to the bevel..the bevel is another 5/8 angle length and the end cut is 5/16 wide, the lower tab is overall 1 1/8 inch. Compare these against the photo link.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2003_0101Image00022.jpg

[BobT-47P15]

I think greg g used the socket from a fender marker light or some such. I found one or two lights in old cars at salvage yards in the 70s. They are real simple. The only thing I have noticed lately is----with my old plastic piece in the ornament, with the crazing it had, the light was distributed fairly evenly.

When I got a brand new reproduction plastic piece, which is nice and clear, then the light became more of a bright spot where the bulb was.....and did not spread around thru the piece. Now I could use a long skinny bulb, or maybe two small ones. Ah, well.

Here's a spare socket, about like the one already in the light. Have no idea what it was for originally.

[47heaven]

Well, I drove around town and couldn't find anything equivilent. Most of the old electronics places out here are giving way to computer chips and such. I managed to buy an Auto Zone light socket, trim it a bit and it went in where the original one went. The only thing, like Bob mentioned, the clearer the plastic, the less spreading of the illumination. In other words, there is more light in the front and it gets dimmer towards the back. So since that hood ornament seems to catch a lot of people's eyes at night, I'm going to install another light in the back. That should even things out. I'll post a pic of it this weekend.

[Normspeed]

You can get a spray paint that creates a frosted glass effect at hobby stores. You might try shooting a bit of that on the inside of the clear insert, it will help diffuse the light.

[BobT-47P15]

True......frosted would likely do something for the light, but then that would probably change the appearance of the plastic part. Personaly, I would go for the two bulbs and leave the plastic original. Necessity is the mother of invention as they say..........

[Norm's Coupe]

I agree with Bob. I would not frost a nice clear plastic insert. That defeats the purpose of replacing the plastic to begin with.

I don't think two light bulbs would help either. Then you would just create two bright spots instead of one. I would experiment a little by somehow placing something like a piece of plastic over the light bulb to defuse the brightness of the bulb and spread it out. Or, inside the plastic insert itself. That way it wouldn't hurt the insert if it didn't work out. Possible painting the hood area under the hood ornament and inside the hood ornament bezel (not the plastic) silver. Then place the light bulb inside, upside down. Hopefully that would shine down on the bright silver paint, then reflect back up into an even light in the insert itself.

[Young Ed]

I've thought about trying to set up a strip of LEDs inside it for a nice glow. You could then color it to match too.

[BobT-47P15]

how about one of those little flourescent bulbs about 5 or 6 inches long?

[greg g]

I used a GM plastic side marker lamp socket. These are a semi soft plastic thing ( $1.79 at NAPA) These use the push in style bulb. I used the 12V bulb in Amber. The plastic socket just pushes in between the sides of the clear casting. I power mine from the ign side of the coil so it is on whenever the engine is running.

[Normspeed]

Guys, you really might want to try that frosted inner coating. With a fresh clear insert, you would get a 3/d look similar to cut glass. I'm gonna try it on mine.....

[BobT-47P15]

Is there any glass or plastic in that ornament?????

Or, are ya gonna replace it with one from a P15????

[Normspeed]

Yeah, just kidding. Not to pirate the thread, but which version of this shot do you prefer, the one above or this one?

[Guest Sheldon Bates]

Is someone makeing a replacement for the plastic insert??

Thanks

Sheldon

Rusty P15

[47heaven]

Is someone makeing a replacement for the plastic insert??

Thanks

Sheldon

Rusty P15

Yeah, someone is, but for about $100 a pop. They guy has them on Ebay from time to time. A lot of money for a piece of plastic.

[randroid]

My replacement came from Neil Riddle (206 285-6534) so long ago I don't recall what it cost, but I can assure you it was alot less than $100.

-Randy

[BobT-47P15]

I think the seller of the new inserts is in our suppliers list.....or at least he was somehwere on the old forum. may have just been in the profiles.