seal beam conversion '37 Terraplane

Hudsonrules
Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
:)I do not intend to drive my '37 Terraplane at night. I have not changed the bulb for the electric headlight yet. However we all get caught at times after dark and I would like brighter lights. Question: are there conversion kits out there to go from electric headlights to seal beam? Thanks in advance. P.S. I am gathering a large quanity of pillows and blankets for removing the lens because I know I will drop it. Have a great day. Arnie M.

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Personally, I never liked the "look" of sealed beams, but if you look around, you may still be able to find an old conversion kit (from the 40's or 50's) for your particular car. These came with the necessary brackets, lamps and wiring.



    However, nowadays we have the advantage of 6 volt halogen bulbs that fit right into the original socket, so you can retain the old reflector and lens for an 'original look", PLUS get the lighting of a sealed beam. However, you would be well advised to re-silver the reflector, install new wiring AND put in a headlight relay (a relay should be used with sealed beams as well). I found a place in Ohio maybe 5 years ago that resilvered both reflectors for about $50, though it's probably a bit more nowadays. I have even soldered a special wire to the socket itself and run it down to a ground, to assure a better circuit.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Talking about those 37 lenses, I still have a pair if anyone needs them, Bud
    OK the lenses did'nt last long, allready spoken for guys
  • Jay_G
    Jay_G Expert Adviser
    I second everything that was said above! My 37 was so dim when I got it I could not see the beams on the road on a dark night. They looked like parking lights. I resilvered the reflectors, cleaned and rewired the sockets with larger wire, attached a ground, and wired in a dual headlight relay. Now with all that done the lights are almost as brite as a sealed beam units. I have the orginal bulbs in and they work fine. I can now drive it around town at night with out fear. I would not drive it fast down an unknown street at night just because you can not see as far as a haligen and i don't want to hit any pot holes. But arrounf town with good roads, no problem.



    Jay
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Try Bob Drake Reproductions for lamp and reflector conversions at www.bobdrake.com

    Jerry
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    There is a company in Oregon named UVIRA that will take your old reflectors and spray them with aluminum under vacum then put a clear coating on them. When done they will have a reflectivity of 92% which is as good or better than a sealed beam. They have to be bright nickeled first, and the price he quoted me was $65.00 for the pair. That does not include the nickeling. You can find the company on the internet.:)
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    Here is UVIRA's contact infomation.



    Uvira, Inc.

    (Headlight Reflector Replating)

    P.O. Box 1137, 310 Pleasant Valley Rd.

    Merlin, OR 97532-1137

    Tel: 1-541-474-5050 / email: uvira@terragon.com
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