I just lost the low-beam on my very old tungsten bulb on my 66. Can I replace with a pair of the modern sylvania halogen substitutes? (Never mind the relaymodification for now--got other issues.) Will these headlights stress my 6-cyl alternator (40 amp? 60?). Anybody tried these halogen look-alike lights?(Obviously they're not really sealed beam either...more like sealed lens.) I don't care about concours, but I do believe in being true to the marque. Should I order tungstens online (anybody carry those in stores? like AutoZone?)

 

I bought the sealed lens or whatever light assemblys and popped the silver star lights in them. They alright. They put a strain on my system without the relays, but when i put the relays on it, it helped the power draw ALOT, even better then factory bulbs.

 

Thanks 6mustang6. Still waiting for other opinions. Will these new replacment halogens work, or are they too much strain on electrical system?? Given that, should I put a bigger alternator on the200 cid? I run european fog lights now to give me "real" illumination (this is the deer capital of the world here in the twin cities suburbs); they make the fanbelt scream at idle.

[IMG]local://upfiles/20213/C7EEB67B7AC34623B7B2A029A4C27585.jpg[/IMG]

 

I have them on my 69, I don't have a charging problem butthe lights are a whole light brighter

 

Just looked at the SilverStars last night at Advanced Auto Parts. Nice, but the word is they can overheat due to the old wiring. I am considering them, but will put the relay in first. Just saw thisonline last night, if it wasn't for the price, I'd consider it.

T

 

I've been running the H4 conversion headlights with 55/60 watt bulbs in all of my cars that didn't come with factory-original halogen headlights since about 1972. As long as you stick to the 55/60's you should be OK. I'd replace any wiring that looked marginal anyway, as I don't think the tungsten bulbs use any less current.

Higher-wattage bulbs are available, but those require more juice and larger wire in order to properly and safely use. Not to mention, they run hotter and have much shorter life.

There is one other consideration - if you live where there is periodic inspection, you may have to keep a set of OE tungstens around to swap in for that purpose. But in normal driving, as long as you keep the halogens aimed properly, most oncoming traffic never notices.

H4 bulbs are most easily found at motorcycle shops, as they are completely street-legal for motorcycle service. There may be a newer bulb number with the same mounting and pin-out that's easier to come by.


Norm