67 Lighter Housing

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Ed:

Use Joe Lucia or an old Parts Book to get the correct GM part number for your 3-prong lighter socket. Then search various sources/places with this number........ie "GM # xxxxxxxx". It is more efficient than just using the description.

Larry

Larry------


The original cigarette lighter housing for 1963-69 Corvettes was GM #3794298. It was discontinued from SERVICE in June, 1970. The same housing was also used for most other Chevrolet models during the same period. There's got to be more than a few of these still out there in used condition but I think an NOS example will be hard to come by.

[Ed S.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Larry, Joe,

I have searched the internet extensively with little success - there are a few genuine 3 prong units but asking prices are ridiculous, like upwards of $200. That said, I do need to ask you about the part numbers you quote. It was my understanding that the 63 to 66 lighter housing p/n was 3986869, and I reference an article written by John Hinckley on this p/n. That is the part or item I believe (I think) I am after. It the 3 prong retainer. And, according to John that unit was replaced by p/n 11516142 - this is a 2 prong unit and it also has the U shaped clip on the back that should be removed if it is used in an early C2.

I defer to members that have been around doing this stuff longer than I have and just ask for guidance / clarification on what is the correct part number for a 3 prong housing.

If I can't find one (at a reasonable price) I will go with a repro 2 prong unit - and again, I ask if anyone can confirm that a correct lighter element will work in this later version housing or do I need a non-correct but compatible lighter element to make it work. This is so much fun!

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Ed:

I will have to defer to Joe L. on the part number, as I also scoured my Chevrolet Parts Books trying to get a part number for you, but did not find anything I liked or could recommend with assurance.

I would also call Dave Sokolowski in California and inquire about a good, used one. He advertises in the Driveline and seems to have about 100 of every Corvette part ever made. Just a thought. Many folks used to get these receptacles from junk yard shopping, but that seems to have just about all dried up for most of us regular folks................the local junk yards are long gone.

Larry

[Ed S.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Larry,

Thanks again - I will follow your suggestion and contact Dave. Sometimes I think it would be easier to find the holy grail or the Lock Ness monster than some of these vintage Corvette parts. BTW - I should have attached the John Hinckley article I referenced to my previous post - doing it now.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Larry, Joe,

I have searched the internet extensively with little success - there are a few genuine 3 prong units but asking prices are ridiculous, like upwards of $200. That said, I do need to ask you about the part numbers you quote. It was my understanding that the 63 to 66 lighter housing p/n was 3986869, and I reference an article written by John Hinckley on this p/n. That is the part or item I believe (I think) I am after. It the 3 prong retainer. And, according to John that unit was replaced by p/n 11516142 - this is a 2 prong unit and it also has the U shaped clip on the back that should be removed if it is used in an early C2.

I defer to members that have been around doing this stuff longer than I have and just ask for guidance / clarification on what is the correct part number for a 3 prong housing.

If I can't find one (at a reasonable price) I will go with a repro 2 prong unit - and again, I ask if anyone can confirm that a correct lighter element will work in this later version housing or do I need a non-correct but compatible lighter element to make it work. This is so much fun!

Larry------

I can absolutely guarantee you that GM #3986869 was never originally used for any 1963-66 Corvette. The reason I can guarantee that is that part number did not even exist at any time during the 1963-66 period. The 3986869 was first used for late 1970 or 1971. However, it did become SERVICE for 63-69 in June, 1971. It may well have the same configuration as the 3794298. I have one of the 3986869 [not for sale] but I have not really examined it for the "3 prong" configuration.

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

David S. contact info: 310-329-5334



There is a GM #3986869 in the box for sale on Ebay right now at a reasonable price. But is appears to be a 2-prong unit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-63-75-Co...lXBWiT&vxp=mtr

[Ed S.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Larry------

I can absolutely guarantee you that GM #3986869 was never originally used for any 1963-66 Corvette. The reason I can guarantee that is that part number did not even exist at any time during the 1963-66 period. The 3986869 was first used for late 1970 or 1971. However, it did become SERVICE for 63-69 in June, 1971. It may well have the same configuration as the 3794298. I have one of the 3986869 [not for sale] but I have not really examined it for the "3 prong" configuration.

Joe, Thank you for clarifying and confirming the details on early C2 lighter part numbers. Greatly appreciated.

[David L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Last Saturday at a swap meet I found two different NOS Casco lighter housings, one has 2 prongs (copper bottom) while the other has 3 prongs. Both are stamped "CASCO" and "12V". The 2-prong housing measures about 1.98" while the 3-prong housing measures about 1.89".
Enclosed are 3 photos.
Many years ago (1980 to 1995) when I restored my 1966 Corvette I installed a NOS housing (GM # 3794298) and a NOS 1966 Corvette lighter knob w/element (GM # 3876494). When I get a chance I will see if my NOS housing (GM # 3794298) has 3 prongs.

Dave

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

David, Nice finds!

Is the one on the left longer?

Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Dave,
Great find! Just curious, what was the seller asking for them, do you remember? Several other members recommended that I slog through swap meets and advised that it would probably not be difficult to find a serviceable 3 prong housing. I did a search for swap meets and discovered that none were scheduled anywhere near me in the coming months.

The good news is that several very thoughtful NCRS members came to my aid via PM. I have since acquired a 63 Casco 12V element, a 3 prong retainer & ceramic insulator at reasonable or no cost. So, the current situation is that I am 100% certain that I have a cigarette lighter that will pass judging and a performance test - working on the rest of the car as we speak.

I hope you picked up the housings you found at the swap meet. They look great, especially the 3 prong unit, not many of those around anymore. I believe the 2 prong types were used on later model GM cars ( '70s and higher) and it may be a service replacement of a vendor supplied source. The one on the left looks very much like what vendors are offering now.

Thanks again,

[David L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

David, Nice finds!

Is the one on the left longer?

Rich

Yes, the 2-prong housing with the copper bottom is longer, 1.98", while the 3-prong housing measures 1.89".

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

Dave,
Great find! Just curious, what was the seller asking for them, do you remember? Several other members recommended that I slog through swap meets and advised that it would probably not be difficult to find a serviceable 3 prong housing. I did a search for swap meets and discovered that none were scheduled anywhere near me in the coming months.

The good news is that several very thoughtful NCRS members came to my aid via PM. I have since acquired a 63 Casco 12V element, a 3 prong retainer & ceramic insulator at reasonable or no cost. So, the current situation is that I am 100% certain that I have a cigarette lighter that will pass judging and a performance test - working on the rest of the car as we speak.

I hope you picked up the housings you found at the swap meet. They look great, especially the 3 prong unit, not many of those around anymore. I believe the 2 prong types were used on later model GM cars ( '70s and higher) and it may be a service replacement of a vendor supplied source. The one on the left looks very much like what vendors are offering now.

Thanks again,

$1 each. The vendor had six 2-prong housings but only one 3-prong housing. Included were the aluminum retainers (1.72" and 1.82" in length). The 3794305 Corvette retainer measures about 1.47". I have an extra NOS 3794305 retainer but I doubt I could sell at the price of $50 like the one currently on Ebay.
Dave

[Donald H.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

I bought one off Ebay that I believe was listed for a passenger car. It is a 3 prong and was NOS. i think I paid $8 or less. It is overall the same size as the original I removed from my 66 that had a broken prong. The only difference was the lip was a little wider and would not slip down into the cluster housing. I took maybe a 64th off and it fits and works fine. And it is stamped Casco 12V.

its a gamble, but there is one on Ebay now that is listed as being for and AMC. It has 3 prongs and is stamped Casco 12V. The guy is asking $39, which is way to much, but his listing is a Best Offer listing.

[David L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

I just dug out my box of cigarette lighter parts and found a NOS 3986869 housing (Casco) in a blue & white GM box. It has 2 prongs and it is a bit shorter than the six NOS 2-prong housings that I bought last Saturday. The 3986869 housing with a copper bottom measures 1.83".

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Lighter Housing

I just dug out my box of cigarette lighter parts and found a NOS 3986869 housing (Casco) in a blue & white GM box. It has 2 prongs and it is a bit shorter than the six NOS 2-prong housings that I bought last Saturday. The 3986869 housing with a copper bottom measures 1.83".

Dave

Dave------


The GM #3986869 replaced the GM #3794298. The 3986869 is, as you found, a "2 prong". The 3794298 is the "3 prong".