Author Topic: date codes on T3 lamps?  (Read 16583 times)

69Z28-RS

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date codes on T3 lamps?
« on: September 24, 2013, 01:02:56 AM »
I bought a couple of T3 headlamp assemblies (to get the bulbs) this weekend, supposedly from a '69 Chevrolet.   When I got home and cleaned them up and inspected them, I note that they have a 'code' on the top front which appears to be a 'date code'.   I don't recall ever reading anything about the date codes, as there is a great deal of 'mis information' in general re the various T3 lamps.   Can someone enlighten me on this subject?   Are lamp bulb date codes 'judged' by the ACA?
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

lakeholme

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2013, 01:32:38 AM »
Just did a search for the chart that was floating around a while back from JohnZ.  But the chart doesn't show up in his post any more...
So, here's a copy I downloaded....

Interpretation explanation on Team Camaro.
« Last Edit: September 24, 2013, 01:51:43 AM by lakeholme »
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
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cook_dw

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2013, 01:56:52 AM »
Good info.  Now Ill want to go look at my T3's and see what the dates are.. ;D

lakeholme

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2013, 02:08:19 AM »
I've got a set of T3s sitting on the shelf (not for sale) in case I decide to really show the 68.
Not much light in a T3 for a driver... I guess my eye sight was much better back then!  ;D

Gary, hope this helps... Please tell me you got them for a great price.
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

69Z28-RS

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2013, 02:12:30 AM »
Thanks Phillip!  :)  I'll save that data as well..
(My eyes need LOTS of light also now.. so I try to minimize my night time driving)..

I paid $30 for a pair, which included the SS retention rings, and rusty buckets..   I also needed one retention ring.. :)

Gary
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

BULLITT65

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2013, 06:08:27 PM »
I still have the originals in my car surprisingly. You can only see the date if you take the headlight all the way out. I didn't think any judges required taking the car apart to display a date. Do they require photos of items dates to judge?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Hans L

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2013, 06:26:14 PM »
For reference, here's what the stamp looks like (this one is from my '69 04B VN built Camaro) - original to the car.  I have both if more pics are desired.

https://www.instagram.com/69camarorsz28/
'69 Camaro RS Z/28 Van Nuys Built
'69 Chevelle SS 396 4 Speed

69Z28-RS

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2013, 06:30:36 PM »
The 'date codes' I was previously referring to as made into the glass, on the front face of the lens at the top...  I'll take a photo next time I have my camera in the garage...  Maybe the ones I purchased on the Charlotte show are 'newer' and follow a different format??
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

JohnZ

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2013, 06:31:21 PM »
In NCRS Corvette Flight Judging, there's only a very minor token deduction (3 points out of 4500) for use of the reproduction T-3 headlamps instead of originals, due to the night driving safety issue (original T-3's don't throw much more light than a kerosene lantern); originals also tend to "smoke and die" without warning, resulting in deductions during Operations judging.
'69 Z/28
Fathom Green
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Edgemontvillage

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2013, 11:23:43 PM »
In NCRS Corvette Flight Judging, there's only a very minor token deduction (3 points out of 4500) for use of the reproduction T-3 headlamps instead of originals, due to the night driving safety issue (original T-3's don't throw much more light than a kerosene lantern); originals also tend to "smoke and die" without warning, resulting in deductions during Operations judging.

"original T-3's don't throw much more light than a kerosene lantern"...funny.

BULLITT65

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2013, 02:57:58 AM »
In NCRS Corvette Flight Judging, there's only a very minor token deduction (3 points out of 4500) for use of the reproduction T-3 headlamps instead of originals, due to the night driving safety issue (original T-3's don't throw much more light than a kerosene lantern); originals also tend to "smoke and die" without warning, resulting in deductions during Operations judging.

But, do they actually take them out to see that the fall within the right range date wise?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

BULLITT65

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2013, 04:22:00 PM »
Gary,  I believe mine are similar to Hans . When I decoded mine they both were made a few months before my car.
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

69Z28-RS

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2013, 04:30:14 PM »
I hope, before you reinstall them, you're going to clean off that green gunk, Austin..  :)
Was there also a date code made into the glass (on the front at the top of the bulb?..
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

BULLITT65

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2013, 04:42:54 PM »
There is a 4 digit code at the top, but I think it was like 0132 on both lights. When i started talking to guys in the know on other forums regarding these numbers, I was told these were just standard casting codes, and did not correlate with the date. They said you could get a date range by the format of the T3 (lines behind the logo or plain) and where it says guide, but the way to know for sure is decode the red stamp on them.
I hope, before you reinstall them, you're going to clean off that green gunk, Austin..  :)
Was there also a date code made into the glass (on the front at the top of the bulb?..
I am hesitant to try to clean that off because that red stamp comes off so easily, thats why many you see on ebay or for sale somebody has "cleaned up" and removed the date along with any dust or dirt.
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

69Z28-RS

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Re: date codes on T3 lamps?
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2013, 04:56:10 PM »
OK.   that's what I confused with a 'date code'..  the code in the glass.    The two I bought in Charlotte, and the one I already had on my car had differing 'glass codes'..  and no stamped codes on back (already cleaned off I suppose)..
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan