Casco 63

[D S.]

Were Casco 63 lighters unique to Corvettes in the '60s and '70s or were there others used? I have seen Rochesters but are they for the GM passenger cars?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Harry S.]

Re: Casco 63

They were not unique to Corvette. I've seen them in most GM passenger cars of the era.

[D S.]

Re: Casco 63

So the lighter element was (is) Casco 63 but is there anything to identify the correct retainer, or case, and the socket? They all seem to look alike.

[David L.]

Re: Casco 63

Scott,

My theory about Casco elements is that the "63 Casco" was used from 1963 to 1971 or 1972, "72 Casco" was used from 1972 to 1977 or 1978, and "78 Casco" was used from 1978 to ????.
I believe that all Casco elements will fit any Casco socket but I am not 100% sure. Pictured are the 3 different Casco elements that I have. I also have a "Casco 12V" element (not pictured) that I believe was used from 1955 to 1962.

I am not sure of the source of the Casco socket in the background. I have never studied the Casco sockets. The only other Casco socket that I have is the original one in my 1966 Corvette.

Dave

[Greg A.]

Re: Casco 63

David, my '78 had the 78 Casco lighter which I believe to be original. About 10 years ago I replaced the socket and every time I used the original lighter element, it would blow the fuse. I ended up buying a then current new 78 Casco element at the local auto parts store and found the new element to be slightly shorter than the original and it worked fine in the new socket.

I'm stating this from a somewhat fuzzy memory, so I may not have all the details straight, but there is a definite difference in 78 Casco elements and sockets over the years.

[Dan H.]

Re: Casco 63

You will need the the matching socket for it to work. The three shown will not work in each others sockets. The '63' has a three prong socket. The length of each element determines the socket it works in, releasing, holding in to heat, etc. If you put the wrong combo together it will jamb etc. Not good! The tree 'fingers' at the bottom of the socket are also different. I used a combo of several parts units to build one nice one. Try to find an original and match it up. Good hunting!
Dan

[David L.]

Re: Casco 63

Greg,

I have 2 NOS "78 CASCO" elements and they are not identical (photo enclosed).

Scott,
Pictured are 2 Casco sockets w/retainers (source unknown) and one NOS 63-67 Corvette retainer (GM # 3794305). The 3794305 retainer (1.50" O.L.) is much shorter than the other 2 retainers (1.84" O.L.).

Dave

[David L.]

Re: Casco 63

Dan,

Thanks for the comment. You are correct.
My used original "63 Casco" element will not work with the longer Casco sockets.

Dave

[Jack H.]

Re: Casco 63

The 'system' was not unique to Corvette nor to GM/Chevy. You have to know what you're doing to piece together a correct factory original setup though.

Since this was a purchased part, there were multiple qualified suppliers. Casco was one and Rochester was another but they weren't the only folks in the automotive cig lighter biz...

Basically, there were two styles of lighter: short and long. The element with the '63 CASCO' emboss first made its debut in 1963 and it represents the 'short' version of the cig lighter system. It's mating power socket was slightly shorter to match the geometry of the lighter element. On factory original systems, the power socket will have a white ceramic insulator at the bottom of the well as THREE prongs to catch and hold the lighter element in contact with the power stud.

Earlier Corvettes used the 'long' version of the lighter system. Their heating elements are embossed simply 'CASCO'. The mating power socket was slightly longer to match the geometry of the heating element and it too used three prongs against a white ceramic insulator. BUT, there were several versions of the long socket and the variations dealt with how the socket illumination feature was implemented, how the socket was grounded, and the width of the upper flange of the power socket.

Get all these individual facets down pat, and you're ready to go scrap yard hunting for parts!!!

[D S.]

Re: Casco 63

Greg,

I have 2 NOS "78 CASCO" elements and they are not identical (photo enclosed).

Scott,
Pictured are 2 Casco sockets w/retainers (source unknown) and one NOS 63-67 Corvette retainer (GM # 3794305). The 3794305 retainer (1.50" O.L.) is much shorter than the other 2 retainers (1.84" O.L.).

Dave

Thanks, David. I found an extra lighter assembly for my '70 Corvette and both the lighter and case have Casco 63 stamped on them. However, I have a '66 Impala that has a defective socket and I can't find what the correct one is supposed to be. I thought maybe the '66 Corvette was identical. The element with the knob is good. I see that Casco and Rochester are both listed as "correct" for the '66 Impala.