Author Topic: T3 Replacements?  (Read 8213 times)

Mikes69_Coupe

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T3 Replacements?
« on: May 18, 2014, 04:45:40 PM »
Howdy all. Noticed Friday night on the way home from the cruise in my 69, that my T3's are rather dim. Since Lectric is no longer reproducing them, what would y'all recommend for a replacement? I don't plan on having it in a points show, so I'm after something that performs better than the T3's. Thanks in advance.

Y'all take care,
Mike.
69 plain jane unrestored (but painted once) coupe, LeMans Blue, 86,264 miles, 327/210; PG; PS; A/C; Tinted glass. Original owner.

lakeholme

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2014, 08:24:06 PM »
First, check the voltage to you headlights, etc.  May be "weak" connection.  Read THIS. Replies 5 & 6 tell it all about headlight connections.
I've got my T3s in a box and halogens on the driver car.  But first I cleaned every possible connection.
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

Mikes69_Coupe

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2014, 01:29:05 AM »
Howdy lakeholme, and thanks! What I've read recommends using relays. What's your opinion??

Y'all take care,
Mike.
69 plain jane unrestored (but painted once) coupe, LeMans Blue, 86,264 miles, 327/210; PG; PS; A/C; Tinted glass. Original owner.

lakeholme

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2014, 01:33:21 AM »
It'll light up the road for you!
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

KurtS

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2014, 02:33:28 AM »
I'd first check the voltage at the lights.
Relays won't change much if the voltage is already good there.
I'd put in halogens, btw.
Kurt S
CRG

hotrod68

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2014, 08:48:51 AM »
  I'd check the charging system. 99 times out of 100 headlights go dim because the alternator is weak or the regulator is about to puke. Assuminig everything else is functioning properly i.e. wiring and connections, the charging system is the culprit. Turn signal oscillation slows down...interior lights flicker. The junction block on the radiator support connection may have a deteriorating contact--rare--but it happens.
  The oldest test in the book is taking the positive cable off of the battery while the engine is running. Before integrated circuit altenators ( 1973-up ) this could be safely done and it would reliably pin the alternator or regulator as the likely problem. Hold a screwdriver to the case plug on the back of the alternator. If it is magnetically pulled to the alternator, the alternator is charging. That points to the regulator. Those old regulators used springs and coils to control the voltage and the points oxodize like ignition breaker points and they deteriorate.
  Sorry to wax nostalgic, but us old guys pulled our youthful hair out back then when the electrical system acted up and we learned what to look for. Not saying this is definitely your problem, but when all else fails, go back to the very basics.
  Good luck and I hope this helps.
HotRod'68  1968 SS350 coupe undergoing frame-off resto/rod. 386/350/4.11s
Butternut Yellow    black standard interior

Mikes69_Coupe

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2014, 12:14:03 PM »
lakeholme: Thanks again.

KurtS: Thanks - any particular lamp better than others, or recommended?

hotrod68: Thanks. Planned to do those tests this weekend if time permits (I'm one of those old farts,too ;D) - have an 88 year old family member that took a fall a few days ago and I'm spending most of my time with her.

Y'all take care,
Mike.
69 plain jane unrestored (but painted once) coupe, LeMans Blue, 86,264 miles, 327/210; PG; PS; A/C; Tinted glass. Original owner.

hotrod68

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2014, 09:01:20 AM »
 :) mike         good to meet an oldtimer
HotRod'68  1968 SS350 coupe undergoing frame-off resto/rod. 386/350/4.11s
Butternut Yellow    black standard interior

KevinW

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2014, 11:20:17 AM »
Wow, first I am hearing about Lectric Limited not making T3s for Camaros anymore. Any idea what happened? 

Mikes69_Coupe

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2014, 12:46:18 PM »
hotrod68: Same here.

KevinW: Don't know what happened, but when I got on the web site, it just said 'discontinued'. Figures it would be when I decide to upgrade mine >:(

Y'all take care,
Mike.
69 plain jane unrestored (but painted once) coupe, LeMans Blue, 86,264 miles, 327/210; PG; PS; A/C; Tinted glass. Original owner.

KevinW

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2014, 02:08:06 PM »
Thanks Mike, that is a shame about them not being made anymore.  It was one of the few repro parts I really liked!  I put them on my Camaro and they fit and work really well.  Oh well, at least my next car is an RS, so the headlights can hide a bit.

Mikes69_Coupe

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2014, 02:04:18 AM »
Yeah, sure hope someone steps up and fills the gap.

Y'all take care,
Mike.
69 plain jane unrestored (but painted once) coupe, LeMans Blue, 86,264 miles, 327/210; PG; PS; A/C; Tinted glass. Original owner.

169INDY

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Jim
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69 Pace Car L48 Th-350 LOS
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David K

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2022, 07:22:31 PM »
Too pricey for me, and I did consider a set. But  as often as I drive my car at night, the original T3s are just fine. I got mine at a swap meet for $20, and had the seller hook them up with a battery to make sure they work.

Are they not available or deliverable now?

Mike S

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Re: T3 Replacements?
« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2022, 11:53:30 PM »
 I have a set that's been holding up for 5 years now. These are a very good reproduction. When I do drive at night, I need to see far due to sudden deer crossings. Not may streetlamps by me to compensate for pool lighting, so these repo T3's light up the road much better than original T3's that had dim outputs. But that is expected for a 50+year old lamp with who knows how many hours on the filament.

Mike
67 04B LOS SS/RS L35 Hardtop - Original w/UOIT
67 05B NOR SS/RS L35 Convertible - Restored

 

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