Powerhouse Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 Howdy all, Maybe you can shed a little light on this question of mine. What bulb is used for tail lights on 39 plymouths. I have 1156 or 1157...the dual pole type...I forget..anyway...my tail lights are nice and bright when they are switched on but no difference is noticed with the brake pedal engaged. What gives...or doesn't for that matter? I hope this thread will be an enlightening one...hehehe...toooo many puns can be had... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 the brake light/turn signal is the brighter of the two elements..the parking light should be the less brillant element...you may have the wrong orientation of your bulb.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerhouse Posted October 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 what do you mean? ... in wrong somehow? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 You will notice they do not have the staggered retaiing pins to guide their position i the socket. Pull them out and rotate it 180 degrees and pu it back in. The the contacts will grab the other leads and should be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 I think I have been using the 1158 with the staggered pins and mine have turn signals and I have very bright ligts and even brighter turn and brake lights. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 1157 is a 12 volt bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niel Hoback Posted October 30, 2009 Report Share Posted October 30, 2009 He meant 1154? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerhouse Posted November 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) well...after checking some loose wires and a bad fuze...the bulbs were fine..i had already purchased some 6v bulbs for $6 a piece at NAPA...the 12v actually worked fine...so I returned the 6volt... oh and the next day i backed into a poorly parked low un markered trailer..it was parked in a way that it wasn't seen from the drivers side...even when walking to my car. I ended up putting a nice crunch in my 39's beautiful rear right fender and busted the glass and bezel. My fault? hard to say...REALLY P'D me off though. And now my original tail lens with ship and dot is broken...and the bezels are near impossible to find. I guess I'll be replacing the whole thing with a...(gulp)...NEW 39 FORD style TAIL ASSEMBLY since bodywork needs to be done and the original stuff is beyond repair. The old housings were never really there anyway...rusted out and full of foil and silicone. They only cost $45 a pair from jc whitney. Edited November 6, 2009 by Powerhouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 Ouch! It's really a shame when these old cars get damaged, since some parts are very difficult and costly to replace. And, in this case, the expense will be on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 Powerhouse: I had something along the same type of accident with my 39 desoto. I was at a gas staion getting air inthe tires. I backed up and hit a metal pipe that was sticking up about three foot and was not visable looking out the windows. Sicne I have antique car insurance I called my carrier and fileld a claim. I took it to a body shop and they priovided a written estimate of 1500 to fix and repaint the fender. i sent the estimate to my carrier, Grundy, within several days I had a check for the 1500. They did not ask for pictures and did not send a person to look at the car. If you have a good carrier they do understand that these things haapen and they will send you the money to get if fix correctly. Grundy did not drop me or even increase my coverage like a regular car insuracne company does. If you have been a good customer then file the claim and then go for the orginal parts to fix the car like it should be fix. You can contact me at desoto1939@aol if you want to discuss. This is why we have Antique car insurance and not having it under a regular car insuracne carrier. You want a antique car insurane plan that has a stated value and not a plan like a regular car that the car goes down in value as it get older. Go with a specilaity carrier, JC Taylor, Condon and Skelly, Grundy, etc. Also as you start to have the car restored and chtome work done and or interior work done always send your carrier some pictures. This is good for them so they then know the condition of the car and they then willnot question any claims. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerhouse Posted November 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 thanks much for the info...you guys are always so helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claybill Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 sometimes when putting in wires, you can get the brake and tail light wires switched. in your bulb socket try switching them around..see if can get a dim and bright. bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerhouse Posted November 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 got it working...thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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