Watts in Your Headlights

Need brighter headlights in your C300 with 6 volt system? Want to keep the Bulls-eye lights but plan to go 12 volts with that car? This can work for you.
First for those of you with later 300s the Bulls-Eye headlight was used in Chryslers from about 1949 through 1955. So your 1955 C300, when new, came with Bulls-eye headlights. These old headlights were rated at 25 watts on low beam and 35 watts on high beam.

By replacing those old bulbs with halogen elements you will substantially increase their brightness, something the C300 owner would probably enjoy if they drive after dark. Yes, you can buy new 6-volt halogen bulbs.

Even better for those of you C300 owners that have converted your cars to 12 volts and have replaced your original 6-volt lights. Now you can use your old lights with 12-volt halogen bulbs for even brighter
lights while maintaining the stock appearance.

The Bulls-eye headlight is one of the early styles of sealed beam and is made up of 4 pieces, neatly sealed together. The reflector is light steel and has a bulb soldered in place at its base. The glass lens covers the face of the reflector and has a rubber seal between the glass and metal. Finally the outer edge of the metal is crimped over the edge of the glass sealing it all together.

The first order of business then is to disassemble a headlight. Tools of choice to start this job are paint can opener and side cutters. The paint can opener tip makes an excellent pry tool to separate the parts. I started at the bottom of the light and after prying up the edge I used a side cutter pliers to open up the remainder of the crimped metal. I found that this worked best for me because I wasn't prying against the glass thus reducing the chance of breakage.

If the lens sticks to the rubber seal between the glass and metal, use some solvent to release it.

With the glass removed you will now see the headlight bulb that is soldered into the base. The original plan was to remove the bulb and re-use the base but the plan changed.

Having a reflector needing re-silvering is the next problem. Additionally you need to enlarge the hole at the base of the reflector to take the new halogen bulb. Then you also need to find a good way to attach the bulb to the reflector. Too much work and expense without a proper halogen light socket in the reflector. Further research determined that there are at least 2 other options.


By Merle Wolfer
Click Here to Continue to Page Two
Home Page Administration and Consultants Membership Information Events Chrysler 300 Information and Photos Technical Information Links To More Information

Bulls-eye headlight dismantled.

.

.