C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

[Donald H.]

The 58-60 TIM & JG (page 17) says the correct turn signal flasher is a rectangular ZN-232 which I believe is a Signal-Stat unit.

The AIM has three part number listed as options.

Part number 3713382, which I believe is the Signal Stat ZN232

Part number 3748737 - which I believe is a round Tung Sol AP273

Part number 3783022 - which I have not been able to identify. Does anyone know if this could possibly be a Tung-Sol 223? I have a Tung-Sol 223 (round) that I bought a couple of years ago thinking it was correct for my 1960.

Is the ZN232 the only one acceptable for judging even though the TIM & GJ list three options?

Thanks,

Don

[David L.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

Don,

Gr. 2.892 in the 1960 Chevrolet Parts Catalog lists GM # 3713382 and is described as "FLASHER (2 bulb)(ZN232) for the 55-60 Corvettes as well as other models.

GM # 3748737 was replaced with GM # 3713382 in May 1966 as per Chevrolet Parts History, however, GM # 3748737 is not listed in any of my vintage Chev. parts catalogs (1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966).

I have 2 Tung-Sol AP273V round flashers that I removed from salvage yard cars back in the 1980's but I neglected to "bag and tag" them.

I will do some more research on part number 3783022.

Dave

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

Don,

Gr. 2.892 in the 1960 Chevrolet Parts Catalog lists GM # 3713382 and is described as "FLASHER (2 bulb)(ZN232) for the 55-60 Corvettes as well as other models.

GM # 3748737 was replaced with GM # 3713382 in May 1966 as per Chevrolet Parts History, however, GM # 3748737 is not listed in any of my vintage Chev. parts catalogs (1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966).

I have 2 Tung-Sol AP273V round flashers that I removed from salvage yard cars back in the 1980's but I neglected to "bag and tag" them.

I will do some more research on part number 3783022.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Trying to find out if I need to go looking for anothr one prior to judging. Kind of wondering if they AIM lists three options why the 58-60 Judging guide only mentions one, and not by part number but by supplier model/part number.

Don

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

What are people's thoughts on this? Is the AP273V flasher acceptable given it is in my 1959 parts guide? Is it that no one has ever found an AP273V in an unmolested original, but ZN-232 has been found?

[David L.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

There is a pdf on the web entitled "JULY AUGUST - NCRS - RMC" (The NCRS Rocky Mountain Chapter July/August 2011 newsletter on page 3) that shows that the AP-273 and ZN-232 flashers are acceptable for judging on 56-57 Corvettes. I have no idea where they got there information about the AP-273 flasher.

Are there 2 different flasher part numbers listed in the 1956 and 1957 Corvette AIM's? Many times at least 2 part numbers are listed.

My 1957 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (March 1957) only lists GM # 3713382 in Gr. 2.892 as the flasher for "55-57 ALL, CORV. 12 volt (exc. D-D)". My 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962) describes GM # 3713382 as "FLASHER (2 bulb)(ZN232)".

Dave

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

OK, so correction on what I said before. My 1959 parts book only has 3713382 in it (ZN232) which means service availability. My 1959 AIM however lists 3713382 and 3748737 -- which Donald thinks is AP273 (close, but I think it is AP273V) and could possibly have been available on the line. The PDF you referred me to (thanks!) lists AP273 as correct for 56-57. However AP273 and AP273V are two different flashers -- What does the new 57 judging guide say? The flasher in the 1959 AIM looks square (like the ZN232) in the AIM, though this isn't definitive proof, as others have said that AIM illustrations are often generalized.

I have a 1957 AIM and the 3748737 is there same as the 1959 AIM. The flasher in the 1957 AIM looks long and round like the AP273 vs short AP273V. That wouldn't work well in a 1959 though -- it would stick out of the fusebox. Finally, as proof 3748737 is the AP273v and was meant for application in the 58-60 Corvette (and by extension 56-57 lacking other empirical evidence) I'm attaching a pdf from a GM master parts book that shows the GM part number of the AP273V as being 3748737. I think this is pretty good proof it could have been used in the 58-60 Corvette.

In case you have trouble finding the line it says:
FJNS 1 3748737 10 thru 50................... #AP273V*FLEET*12 VOLT-2 CLIP TYPE TERMINALS*FOR TWO 32 CP LAMPS

if folks agree with me on the above, maybe (total speculation) the AP273 is actually part 3715248 listed as optional in this 1957 AIM which was revised out 4-9-57, but matches the long one pictured.

So my question is, maybe to those in the know... did NCRS decide on the ZN232 simply because it matches up in the parts guide and the AIM, or through evidence that the AP273v of that vintage was never found? Hopefully, my findings open up this possibility for the next 58-60 judging guide.

Also, David would you mind posting pics of your vintage flashers?

X164001_0701.jpg1957-AIM-12-11.00.jpgap273.JPGap273v.jpg

[David L.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

Ian,

I actually found four AP273V flashers (all of them are the small type) in my collection. All are stamped as follows:
"TUNG-SOL FLASHER", AP273V - - 12 VOLTS", "PAT. 2615106" "MADE IN U.S.A.", and what I believe may be a possible 4-digit date code which I and many others have yet to figure out (Tung-Sol flashers only).

As shown in the photo from left to right:

"H 2 5 8" (slightly damaged), "H 5 6 2" (pitted), "H 6 5 8" (from a 1962 Chevrolet in a salvage yard in Wilton, NH, acquired in the 1980's), and "H 1 1 1" (possible NOS flasher purchased at swap meet without box).

Note: I have and have had many used and NOS AP373V flasher (for 63 Corvettes etal) and have studied the stamped 4-digit code (always starting with the letter "H") and have yet to crack the code. I believe other NCRS members have attempted as well.

Dave

[Pat H.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

There has been a lot of discussion regarding these flashers lately. I check my parts box and I have a ZN232 with Copper contacts in the box another used one with steel/aluminum and a new AP273V in the original box. In Bob Baird 58-60 restoration Guide he mentions that either could have been used. Where he got this information I don't know, but after judging many cars at Regionals and National, the majority of them have ZN232's

[Peter L.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

et.al. - The intelligent folks that we are might think of contacting the 58-60 National Judging Team Leader to see if there is some new "intelligence" on the acceptable turn signal flashers. I don't think if he tells you he will have to "do the security thing" on you. Pete

[Ian G.]

Re: C1 (1960) turn signal flasher

I don't doubt it, but the ZN232 is the only one mentioned in the JG, so that's a pretty motivating thing to make sure you have the "right" flasher for judging, no matter what might have been there... In my own car, the regular flasher had burned out long ago, though I still have the original 642 parking brake flasher.