Front turn signal sockets, 1953-54

[Dwain G.]

I was asked how to replaced rusted out bulb sockets in a '53 Commander K grill bar. No vendors seem to list them, but if you could find new part #298952 sockets, how would you install them? They won't just 'pop' in.
I told him to get sockets from an auto parts store, but later I realized that those sockets will be for 12 volt cars, and his 6 volt bulbs won't fit a socket made for 12 volt systems (offset pins versus straight pins).
How did you do it?

[studegary]

I just replaced what you call the "grill (sic) bar". Studebaker called this part (the grille bar) the parking light assembly. To me, this means that they didn't anticipate repairs to the part.
I know, just being a smart a-- and no help to you <G>.

[8E45E]

I just replaced what you call the "grill (sic) bar". Studebaker called this part (the grille bar) the parking light assembly. To me, this means that they didn't anticipate repairs to the part.
I know, just being a smart a-- and no help to you <G>.

If its assembled the same way certain other years are, They aren't designed to be repaired. The outer wall of the socket (ground) is two pieces; and inner and an outer, flanged at the tops. The inner wall slides tightly into the outer wall from the front of the pot-metal and is sandwiched between the flanged tops, and the walls are crimped via the bayoneted pin slots. It would difficult to remove the socket from the pot metal without damage, but a new socket could be modifed to fit.

Craig

[Chucks Stude]

Would that pertain to taillight sockets also?

[(S)]

There are new ones and repops if you goggle it. Most parking and tailights give you the same problem, they were not meant to be 'serviced'

A few vendors have NOS but they are not an easy install, and why they do not 'list them'

[8E45E]

Would that pertain to taillight sockets also?

I believe that is correct, at least through 1963, and same with the Wagonaire/1966 backup lights. They are part of the housing or backing plate.

Craig

[Retired]

Explore this idea. Use as dremmil tool with a cut off blade, remove the parts and piecs that are no longer servicable. Cut a piece of sheet metal, drill two mounting holes, drill a center hole to accomodate the "off the shelf replacement socket", solder the socket to the sheet metal, bolt to the housing. Once a good ground has been established, paint.

[1954khardtop]

You could use the auto parts store replacement sockets and 1154 bulbs, 6volt with offset pins

[rockne10]

The stamped sockets are pressed in to the pot metal housings. If you are careful you can remove them without damage to the pot metal. Then replace with new available sockets. I crimped mine in place and sealed the back with JB Weld. Works just fine.

[Don Jeffers]

Could you be more explicit about the procedure you used?

What available new sockets did you use and where did you get them?

Apologies for asking so many questions, but I would like to get it right the first time.

The sockets in my grille bars don't look so bad. I'll ask Jerry whether he wants me to remove them or not before restoration and chroming.

You could pm me if you prefer.

[barnlark]

The stamped sockets are pressed in to the pot metal housings. If you are careful you can remove them without damage to the pot metal. Then replace with new available sockets. I crimped mine in place and sealed the back with JB Weld. Works just fine.

Good procedure, Brad. I did the same on a few 1960 turn signal housings. I found new, or nice plug ends from badly pitted housings and carefully removed the sockets from the pot metal, just as you did. For some reason, many folks just cut those plug wires rather than to take the time to remove them properly. If the socket is good, it's a lot less trouble to solder and heat shrink the wires if hidden. The trunk wires are much less easy to hide a crude fix. JB Weld is messy, but sure works in a pinch if it can be hidden.

[woodysrods]

I had never given the sockets much thought. Guess I would have had a rude awakening the day I tried to slip in that 1157 bulb before I put my NOS lenses on and headed down the driveway??
So there must be an easier solution... or are all of the Hot Rodded C/K cars using 6 Volt bulbs or what? They all can't have carved the original sockets out of their expensive "Grill Bars"!
Brian

[Jeff_H]

Mine were all rusted. Since the sockets were junk anyway, I destroyed them. Those sockets are easily removed w/o damaging the pot metal by crushing them on the back side with a big channel lock pliers. Just crush them in several places until the crimped edge pulls away from the casting. Then pull the socket remains out from the back. No need to pry on the casting at all. I used new replacements from the parts store and do have 1157 amber bulbs in mine as the car is modified. I didn't realize the 6v bulbs have different pins on the sides.

[N8N]

I had never given the sockets much thought. Guess I would have had a rude awakening the day I tried to slip in that 1157 bulb before I put my NOS lenses on and headed down the driveway??
So there must be an easier solution... or are all of the Hot Rodded C/K cars using 6 Volt bulbs or what? They all can't have carved the original sockets out of their expensive "Grill Bars"!
Brian

See the bulb chart on my web site. there is a straight pin, dual filament 12V bulb available that I am using in my '55. Only downside is that it is not available in a "NA" (natural amber) version if you want amber turn signals.

nate

[Don Jeffers]

A lot of what you guys have said converting the '53 parking/turn signal lights to 12v did not correspond with what I remember from converting my '53 hardtop to 12v.

I made the conversion around '81 when I was driving the car regularly from TX to WV. I quit driving the car around '86 and it has since became a parts car.

So I pulled the parking light bulbs from the converted to 12v '53. The bulb I had used was a 1157NA with offset pins. Hmmm. So I tried the 1157 bulb in the '53 grille bars I am sending off for rechroming. Seemed to work OK in those too.

So I pulled the parking light bulb from my '54, which is still 6v and the bulb is an 1158 with straight pins. I tried the 1157 12v bulb in the '54 socket and the bulb worked OK in the '54 socket as well and with the parking lights turned on too, even though a little dim on 6v.

Peering into the '54 socket, I could see the slots for the pins are straight across, just like the 1158 6v bulb. The 1158 bulb can be installed either way, interchanging the parking light filament with the turn signal filament circuit. The 1157 12v bulb can also be installed either way too, exchanging the filaments.

In all six '53 parking light sockets I tried, the 12v 1157 bulb works OK. Apparently there is enough clearance in the '53 socket to install an offset pin bulb where a straight pin bulb was designed to go and have it work just fine.

I still would like to know what socket you guys are using and where you are getting it, to put new 12v sockets in the '53 grille bars.

And by the way, one of the '53 grillle bars had the turn signal option and the other did not. The socket is the same in either. The difference is the little plastic button that holds the wire ends in place. The buttons can simply be exchanged in the same socket to make the turn signal conversion. But you probably already knew this.