T3's- best way to go?

[Harry S.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Design

T3 Dates.jpg

[Larry M.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Larry, those are the ones I am looking for. In looking closely at the LL product, I can see the DOT on front at about 10 o'clock. There are also GM Restoration brand bulbs that I can't see the DOT but have written one of the vendors if there is a DOT on the front of the bulb. Could these be the ones you and Leif have?

Garry:

At the time I purchased my T3 reproductions, LL had just announced that their USA manufacturer for these headlights was closing operations in the USA and moving things to Mexico or somewhere. Or just maybe closing the doors at that specific location. I believe the manufacturer was either Wagner or Sylvania. I called LL to get me a set of lights before all this occurred and for some reason that I can't remember, they did not have any in stock. I think they were waiting on a final shipment before losing their USA source.

Anyway ZIP showed that they had the lights in stock so I ordered from them. When they arrived, they had no DOT on the headlight glass face. It was only ink stamped on the back of the headlight. I reported this on CF (Corvette Forum) and I believe Leif then ordered his from Zip to see if he could get similar ones. And he was successful.

It is possible that before they closed the doors on USA manufacture, the manufacturer made a run of headlights not for LL, and without the DOT front markings........and sold then thru Zip and not thru LL. The exclusive contract with LL was likely being closed out, and the manufacturer was free to sell these T3s to others.

So as Leif says, call Zip and ask them about it. I want to say it was about 5-7 years ago that this occurred. The headlights are still in a box in the attic, and my cars still has the original T3s in it.

Larry

[Ronald L.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Guys!
If anyone legally wants to supply a headlight bulb to be used in the USA after 1969.....they will have a DOT marking, just like tires.

It will be there and no amount of hopium will change USA laws or the idea that its not there - it is, just just have to look.

If you find real ones, and they are out there even on cars, take them out and seal them up.

Has to be a heat resistive seal. I don't have results for either the epoxy or hi temp silicone.

And since the filament must be in a vacuum...someone might be able to come up with a preventive evacuation method before sealing too.


and Larry....yes my 66 has a couple - I pulled them to do just this sealing, and boy those screws never touched since install were a bugger to get loose.

[Leif A.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Guys!
If anyone legally wants to supply a headlight bulb to be used in the USA after 1969.....they will have a DOT marking, just like tires.

It will be there and no amount of hopium will change USA laws or the idea that its not there - it is, just just have to look.

If you find real ones, and they are out there even on cars, take them out and seal them up.

Has to be a heat resistive seal. I don't have results for either the epoxy or hi temp silicone.

And since the filament must be in a vacuum...someone might be able to come up with a preventive evacuation method before sealing too.


and Larry....yes my 66 has a couple - I pulled them to do just this sealing, and boy those screws never touched since install were a bugger to get loose.

Ronald,
If you're addressing the Wagner T3 that both Larry and I acquired from Zip about 5-7 years ago, they do have a DOT marking on them...but, not on the front lens. It is a simple ink stamp on the back side of the bulb where it can't be seen...PROMISE!!

[Garry B.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

In order to help others looking for the T3 bulbs without the DOT, I called Zip and LL this morning and in both cases they stated that their bulbs DO have the DOT embossed in the glass on the front now. My conclusion is there may not be a totally correct reproduction T3 bulb available anymore unless you have a set on the shelf from at least a few years ago. I suspect that the DOT bulb would certainly get some point deductions, but probably not real significant as long as the rest of the bulb is correct otherwise.

[Gary B.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

[Larry M.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

In order to help others looking for the T3 bulbs without the DOT, I called Zip and LL this morning and in both cases they stated that their bulbs DO have the DOT embossed in the glass on the front now. My conclusion is there may not be a totally correct reproduction T3 bulb available anymore unless you have a set on the shelf from at least a few years ago. I suspect that the DOT bulb would certainly get some point deductions, but probably not real significant as long as the rest of the bulb is correct otherwise.

I would like to hear Zip's response regarding where they sourced the T3s with the DOT logo ink stamped in the backside. But they probably don't want to say.

Larry

PS: Sort of reminds me of the Coker initial reproduction of the Firestone S/S redline tires back 15 or so years ago. Initially reproduced without any DOT logos. Then forced to add the DOT logo and info by government agency.

[Jerry C.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Check out ebay # 284543500331

[Kevin G.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

IIRC the font "USA" is not located in the correct small "cube" on today's reproduction bulb as well. It's been years since I've reviewed this topic forgive if I'm in error....

[Ronald L.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Jerry,
that ebay # is for a set of repair flanges - fiberglass

[Tim G.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

I worked my tail off to get everything working properly on my '71 LT1 for operations judging in Frisco only to have one of the original low beams "pop" when I turned on the headlights. My '67 L71 still has its original headlights, not sure what I'll do next year about that.

[Bob R.]

[Leif A.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

I worked my tail off to get everything working properly on my '71 LT1 for operations judging in Frisco only to have one of the original low beams "pop" when I turned on the headlights. My '67 L71 still has its original headlights, not sure what I'll do next year about that.

Tim,
I've got a set of four T3 for '68 - '71 non-DOT bulbs that I took out of my '67 about 5 years ago to replace with the correct T3 for my year. They were all functioning properly when I removed them. If you're interested, PM me...we'll work out a "brother-in-law" deal.

[Garry B.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Leif, thanks for the offer. I actually have access to three of these but have opted to at least stay with correct design. Original or reproductions, I am undecided. Thanks again.

[James G.]

Re: T3's- best way to go?

Guys!
If anyone legally wants to supply a headlight bulb to be used in the USA after 1969.....they will have a DOT marking, just like tires.

It will be there and no amount of hopium will change USA laws or the idea that its not there - it is, just just have to look.

I have inspected all of my NOS late 1971 & 1972 style T3 bulbs (T3 mark is low on the vertical center line) and there is not a DOT mark anywhere on the bulbs - not ink stamped on the rear and without a doubt not cast into the lens. I will check on my brother's 73 which has NOS powerbeams in it.