I am in the process of getting the lights on a 73 spider working so I can have the car safety certified.

Side markers. Both front side markers are missing the metal bracket that hold the side marker lights together and secured to the inside of the front fender. The lenses which have threaded studs have been broken off. As a result I found the PO had used some kind of caulking to hold the chrome shell and lenses in place. It has hardened and looks ok from the outside and will hold the wire with the bulb. So no problem for the safety. What is the size of the bulb in the side marker? This winter I will find lenses and the metal bracket restore this patch job!

Rear Lights. Removed lenses by taking out the screws on the back. Some of the plastic hold clips where broken and caulking had been used to secure them in place. Some lenses where cracked. Some bulbs broke off when trying to remove. Noticed some of the wires had been spliced together with tape and one had caulking holding it to the terminal. Removed both units one was badly damaged with a large piece missing. I was fortunate enough to have 2 other pair of rear light assembly units (came in a box with the car) 1 set has a yellow lenses and the original has clear. Not sure why? Cleaned them up and have the parts to put together a pair in good condition. Had to use the wires from one set to replace the spliced wires on another and used different light assembly shells than was originally on the car. I need the lenses gaskets. All of the old gaskets disintegrated during removal and clean up. Can I make these? They seemed to be made from a cork like material. Here is a picture:



Front turn signals. The chrome has flaked off the assembly shell. Suggestions? I will look into chrome wrap.

Front headlights work great

*ahem

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/RS7-4 ... 2-12-1978/

this might help as well

Part 1 and 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YxW6bc_gk8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwR9sYN5f0

chrome spray paint works wonders if you prep it right.

MrJD wrote:chrome spray paint works wonders if you prep it right.

Mrjd,
Care to elaborate?
I need to rechrome my rear tail light as well as some dash bits.

Front (and rear) side marker lights use a 1194 bulb with a push on "bayonet" mounting (no threads). Might want to consider using LED's there; not too expensive, last longer, less draw and LOTS of light (good for alerting that snoozing SUV driver next to you). You may also want to post a note to the parts wanted section; lots of members may have the correct lenses/brackets for these lights for pretty reasonable costs. A couple of the members here greatly helped me out with these specific lights!

Recommend you dremel brush every contact you can reach. Get 'em shiny and the lights work much better.

Neil

>Front (and rear) side marker lights use a 1194 bulb with a push on "bayonet" mounting (no threads)

The push-in bulb is not a bayonet type connector - 'Bayonet' means that the bulb has 2 little tabs and one inserts the bulb then turns it to lock it into place. This is not the case with sidemarker bulbs, they simply push in or pull out.

Just trying to avoid some confusion, as the trunk bulb is a similar size, and it is the bayonet type.

if you go to autozone you can buy a nice high quality chrome base coat, and chrome top coat spraypaint combo. Go to youtube and watch some chrome spray paint videos. I used to use it all the time when I made turn signals and tail lights for toyota celicas back in the day. I'm off to bed, might try and hunt down some old pictures later. :p

Thanks for all the excellent advice. I like the videos and after completing the lighting wiring will take the dremel to the other connectors. Has anyone made their own tail light lens gasket? I want to get the car saftied so I don't have to flatbed it to storage. Once there I can place a parts order which will include the lens gaskets and put them on over the winter.

Csaba: Thanks for correcting my mistake!

Funcar: what Csaba said.

Neil

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/RS7-4 ... 2-12-1978/

Or make your own. McMaster Carr, p/n 86205K12. Five bucks for 2 x 2 feet. Very resilient, and supposed to be chemical resistant. Cuts very cleanly with X-Acto knife.

I wonder if putting a bead of silicone caulk around the housing, run a finger and let it dry before installing the lenses, would keep water out? Anybody try that ?

What is the bulb size in the licence plate lights? I have small ones in there and also the same size in the rear light. The one second from the right which is slightly discoloured but while I am at it I am replacing all the bulbs.





Also there is a blue wire that has been attached to the light bracket. I plan to put a ring terminal on and attach to the brcket with star washer.



For the the gasket I plan to use Super Lube in the channel and then use Dow Corning RTV sealant.



Lastly I will use The Dow Corning silcon rubber ( black) to the outer rubber gasket and put the lights back on the car.



I hope this will seal out any moisture. I really don't plan to drive in the rain but may get caught now and then on a raod trip.

sorry im so late with this info the gasket material "was foam"hardened to a cork like crap
I used a life preserver the foam inside is closed cell.so I cut to fit, at a cost of FREE

What a Buoyant idea! Actually I have not tried my solution as I was working on wiring issues before my spider went to storage. I will be looking for a life jacket.

On the bulb sizes I found that the local Advance Auto has a digital reference that lists all the OEM bulbs used on the Spider so I just ask for them by use and location. Rear turn signal, backup light, license plate lamp, etc and they just look it up. If they have to transfer it from another store it costs nothing extra and I don't have to do any extra running around.