Sockets and Plugs

[50 coupe]

First time around for me doing a rewire. I am going one wire at a time. The few light sockets and plugs I have looked at so far look to be in remarkably good shape. Wires intact and no corrosion on the socket contacts. Should I use them or go ahead and replace?

[Plymouthy Adams]

not necessarily, your call...as long as you have dual element sockets and/or if they have been upgraded to dual element you remember to be mindful of the correct bulb indexing you will be okay ..

[50 coupe]

not necessarily, your call...as long as you have dual element sockets and/or if they have been upgraded to dual element you remember to be mindful of the correct bulb indexing you will be okay ..

Plymouthy, are you referring to the 1157 bulb type socket for the single bulb that is both tail light and separate element for brake light?

[desoto1939]

Even if you replace a light socket do not throw out the old socket because the originals are better then the new stuff on the market. I know on my 39 Desoto the headlight socket for the headlight bulb is a special socket and a few years ago they had none available.  Since then someone has repoped them so you never know when something will no longer be available.

 

Just words of advise.  But I think most of the sockets for your car can be found in a modern parts store and even at swap meets.

 

Rich Hartung

[50 coupe]

Yes Rich, I have seen them online. Including the ones that could be used for the little instrument lights. If the originals look good I think will just replace the rest of the wire and see how they work once I get the juice to them.

[Don Coatney]

1157 is a 12 volt bulb with indexing pins allowing it to be inserted one way only. Some bulbs and sockets are not indexed with pins so a dual element bulb will go in two ways. Care must be taken to install the bulb correctly with such sockets to insure the bright side of the bulb comes on with turn signals and brakes. 

[rb1949]

If sockets are clean, keep them. 6V bulbs was more of a challenge. Got lucky at a local electrical supply house, who had the old books, and some bulbs. Good bet is online at "BulbTown". After I placed an order, wish I had found numbers for all the bulbs that would fit, and got extra of each in one shipment. Bulbs are like 50¢! Good luck on the project.

[50 coupe]

If sockets are clean, keep them. 6V bulbs was more of a challenge. Got lucky at a local electrical supply house, who had the old books, and some bulbs. Good bet is online at "BulbTown". After I placed an order, wish I had found numbers for all the bulbs that would fit, and got extra of each in one shipment. Bulbs are like 50¢! Good luck on the project.

Lucky so far, the car appears to have old bulbs in the sockets and I can read the part numbers. I even pulled one of the head lights and it has a date stamp of 'Oct. 1950' on it. I will be making record of the bulb numbers and placement. Who knows, some may even still work when I get the juice to them.

[50 coupe]

1157 is a 12 volt bulb with indexing pins allowing it to be inserted one way only. Some bulbs and sockets are not indexed with pins so a dual element bulb will go in two ways. Care must be taken to install the bulb correctly with such sockets to insure the bright side of the bulb comes on with turn signals and brakes. 

Ok, I see what you are saying. I wasn't aware of that so a big 'thanks' for the heads up!

[ptwothree]

1154 is the bulb # for a 6 volt dual filament bulb for stop and turn/parking lamps if you are staying with 6 volt.