C3 tail light wicks

[Steve P.]

[Don L.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

Steve, the lenses on my '72 have notch details for the wicks. I can't recall which (inboard or outboard) has a square notch at the very bottom and the other has a rounded notch. Accordingly, the lenses require different wicks. If you want, I'll be happy to take my lenses out and send photos of the notches and the wicks in place.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations on your Top Flight achievement!

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

1970-1972 TIM&JG, 5th Edition, Page 70, Fig E17.3.

[Steve P.]

[David C.]

[Jimmy P.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

Hi David,
Here are a few photos I took from of the wicks on my 73 tailights. Just as Don mentioned above in his post they were two different shapes originally. The wick in the bottom of the backup light is square shaped and appears to be stuck to the inner housing (adhesive ?). There is also a square cut out in the bottom of the back up lense. The outer brake light wick is cylindrical and fits into a notch in the bottom of the lense. There is also a notch cut into the housing. Now whether or not both wicks were inserted in the lenses nitially, I don't know. This is what I found when I checked for mine. Likewise, on the lense there is a little notch cut out. These are visible from the outside of the lenses if you look very closely. When I was looking at these for the 73-74 TIM&JG Revision, I noticed that one of my square wicks was missing. I was only able to find the small cylindrical shaped ones from the Corvette Vendors. I just used a spot of super glue to hold it in place in the lense needing the square wick.
Hope this info is useful

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

What's the purpose of the tail light wick? Draw out moisture?

[Jimmy P.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

That's my guess. Or maybe help with condensation!

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

What's the purpose of the tail light wick? Draw out moisture?

Exactly Mark, with the addition that it keeps dust out. It allows the interior of the light to "breath" as the bulb heats the air inside.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

"breath"

Breathe.

[David C.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

Thank you Jimmy, really appreciate your pictures, very helpful.

[Steve P.]

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

Breathe.

Usually Reba makes those corrections. Thanks for the help none-the-less.

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 tail light wicks

Usually Reba makes those corrections. Thanks for the help none-the-less.

Breath, breathe. To lay, to lie.

Dang Englishmen made the language so mysterious.
At least for an engineer.