63 Casco lighter element

[Edward J.]

I am looking for info on the 63 Casco lighter element, The new JM for 63/64 says 63 Casco element is correct, and the element in my 63 is Casco 12V. I am taking the 63 is the year of manufacture, So could it be possible that this is a original element? Just as a note I have a 72 corvette that that has a 63 Casco, and the length of the element is shorter that the Casco12V, which also means the housing is different (shorter)??? Since the 63 start of production was in 62 what would have been used in the earlier production cars for a element? I think you know where I heading with this. As a note I cannot say its original to my car but surely appears to be.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

I believe this is what you're looking for. Could be that you have to swap with your '72.


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[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

Wayne the problem is the 63 and the 72 housings are different as the Casco 63 is a shorter element than the Casco 12V , You see this is one of the reasons I think the 12v is Original to my 63. It would not make since to replace a housing and element from a older corvette as the 63 Casco element was around for some time. My logic would be that there many of the Casco 12V elements that where left over.

[Reba W.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

I don't believe the 63 is the year of manufacture but a model number or an indication of the first year of its use. 63s were used in Corvettes at least through 1972 and I believe 1976 or '77. Jack Humphrey has done research on the differences in length.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

Don't know whether this helps (copied off eBay, years ago) Model L-160-C (service) covers years shown.

P.S. My NOS element in the big photo above (post # 2) is 0.88" long (when retracted into sleeve).

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

There should be a discussion in the archives from a few years ago regarding the exact same topic. FWIW, my lighter element is exactly like yours Edward, same questions also..

I believe mine to be original but can't begin to prove it. The 62 element may have been used until left over inventory was exhausted, but that's just my opinion.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

Tim I remember the topic its posted below similar threads.I have found others and would be nice to know if there are some others that think the same.

[Peter L.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

Ed - The 1963-1964 NCRS TIM&JG indicates that the 63 CASCO 12V stamped element is the one for 1963 & as Reba indicated it was used thru 1972. I do not think it was OE in Corvettes after 1972 production. The CASCO lighter element used in 1962 Corvette was stamped CASCO 12V & was longer & as far as I know used a different housing. Pete

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

Ed - The 1963-1964 NCRS TIM&JG indicates that the 63 CASCO 12V stamped element is the one for 1963 & as Reba indicated it was used thru 1972. I do not think it was OE in Corvettes after 1972 production. The CASCO lighter element used in 1962 Corvette was stamped CASCO 12V & was longer & as far as I know used a different housing. Pete

Pete my Mar. 63 lighter is of the 62 type, I have no reason to believe that this did not come on my 63. As I have been doing some research and find that the 62 type housings and lighter element were used on 63 also.

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 Casco lighter element

If you have no reason to doubt that what's in your car is original, then keep it. But, don't 'freak' or 'argue' when NCRS judges assess a point deduction for it being non-original to the car.Crack a copy of the 1962 AIM and you'll find the cig lighter assy called out as GM Number 3788778 in Section 12, Sheet 7. Now, flip open your 1963 AIM and observe the cig lighter assy PN changes to GM 3794304 as defined in Section 12, Sheet B9.Compare that to what Casco says are the 'correct' lighter elements and you'll see the Casco 12V which was sold as a service replacement under Casco's Element L144C is the long barrel device rated as correct for 1956-62. Then, note Casco defines their Element L160C (the short barrel device embossed '63 Casco 12V') as being correct for 1963-1971 cars.The shortie lighter element was NOT unique to Corvette. You'll find other GM cars (as well as the Blue Boys from Dearborn--Ford) used the short L160C element too. Essentially, the shortie (takes both the short element AND the short power well) was used when there was a lack of space for the lighter. You can typically find these shortie lighters in such places as the back seat arm rests of Buick/Caddy and over on T-Bird/Lincoln. But, hey, it's your car. Drive and enjoy it anyway you want...