lighting system, c1, 1958

[silverhaze]

The lighting system in my vette is extremely weak. All the lights are dim. The brightness doesn't change with acceleration either. Is this a voltage issue from the regulator? Generator? I'm getting a full 12v off the battery terminal and the same going into the regulator. the output is very weak. How do I fix this problem? Thanks guys.

[FinWolf]

check your grounds they need to be real good.

[fatherlarry]

Welcome aboard Silverhaze,

1958 is my favorite year!

In answer to your problem, it could be a number of things. Just need to ask you if the car is completely stock? Did you or anyone else change it over to an alternator, or is it still a stock generator? Also, are all the lights dim on the dash as well as the headlights?

Usually, with a generator, as you increase rpm's the headlights and dash lights will get brighter and then dim as the rpm's get lower.

Have you tested the generator output? If you checked the voltage regulator, did you check it with a load on it? A voltage above 9.5 on a 12 volt batter, or 4.7 on a 6 volt battery indicates that battery is OK. If voltage is below 9.5 (or 4.7) either the starter is drawing too much current or the battery is inadequate. Since your battery tested OK, then I would test the generator and then the voltage regulator.

Disconnect negative battery cable to avoid damage.

Remove field wire from regulator (if open terminal type) or remove terminal plug from regulator (if the plug in type).

Consult service manual to determine how to "jumper" the field wire. It is important to know which is the field wire and wheterh it is to jumper the batter or to ground. Unfortunately systems vary greatly and damage can result if done incorrectly. If you have no experience with this, I would seek a professtional.

Reconnect battery cable.

Move selector switch to batter voltage position.

Connect black clip to negative battery post.

Connect red clip to positive batter post.

Start engine and increase speed gradually. If pointer rises 2-3 volts above battery voltage, generator is OK and the fault, if any, is in the regulator or regulator circuit. Caution: Do not allow voltage to exceed 17 volts.

Disconnect negative battery vable while replacing field wire to regulator.

This is just a quick explanation of what would be done by professional. If you want to do it yourself, then I would seek more guidance from a professional. I want to emphasize the importance of doing this correctly.

If it's just your dash lights that are very dim, it could be that you just need to replace all your bulbs, or headlamp dimmer switch. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Also, Finwolf made a good point. It might be something as simple as that.

[silverhaze]

Thanks for these great instructions. I am thrilled that I've found such knowledgable enthusiests to talk to. My car is new to me and a truly beautiful example. I have a silver/blue car with silver coves. Most of the car is original though it is not a matched numbered car. Which brings me to another question. I'm considering dropping a 283 crate motor in as I'm concerned about the exisiting motor nickle and diming me to death. Who do you suggest I go to for such a motor and what should I pay? Or, if it were you, would you reccomend going to a 327 or 350?

I will use your electrical warning rather than suggestion. I am very handy and clever though not an expert in this area. I think I will find an auto/electric guy to check it out.

regards,
silverhaze

[fatherlarry]

Glad to be of help.

Let me ask you a few questions. How original is the car? If you check the vin # you could find out what engine, tranny and rear and options came with the car. I personally, if I had a '58, would want to bring it back to the original equipment. That means going with the 283, and determing by the vin # which horsepower came equipped with the Vette. With the two links below, you can check the options and also your vin #.

http://www.idavette.net/facts/58.htm

http://www.vettesite.com/vin.asp

If I had a vintage '58, there would be no way in the world that I would customize it, but only try to bring it back to the original condition. It's a timeless machine, which very few people have the opportunity to experience and own. You would be saving a piece of history and also bringing up the value of your Corvette. If the car is judged at a show, they would take under consideration the effort and time to restore it to original condition, even though the serial numbers don't match, it would bring up the point value, and the car will be worth more in the end.

[silverhaze]

Dear Father Larry,

Is there an email address for you that I can send you some pictures of my car? I'd like you to see what it is we're talking about. I totally agree with you on the last part of my restoration. I am an art dealer and do wholeheartedly believe in restoring things to their original beauty. I will work with these links to determine what motor is currently in the car. Meanwhile, it has been my intention to use the 283 motor for the car as it was issued. How original is it? I'd say 90%. The motor is the biggie, however, it's only the small things that have been tampered with - no wunderbar, the carpet is blue with black peppering and I understand it came with black. Seats are proper. Tach is not original and then the list of hundreds of annoying little things that only you and I would notice - improper screws, mountings etc. Otherwise, a gorgeous example and I will be putting it all back together as per the original specs. Any tips or referrals on where to get parts and/or, who I should buy a motor from would be greatly appreciated. Anyhow, send me an address to email you and I'll send a few pics of the car.

[fatherlarry]

Great picture of the '58.....it's surely beautiful. As far as where to get restoration parts, GM has a great booklet called "Hobby & Sales Chevrolet Group, Past Model Information", which has 46 pages of vendors and and suppliers of parts for restorers. You live in California, where enthusiasm for custom car building, restoration etc is very big. There are a lot of California listings in this book. Call GM's customer assistance center and talk to Tina Wells, her direct line is (866) 942-4368 Ext. 48950. She'll send you the booklet.

Also, I'll email you privately, and you can send some pics.

[silverhaze]

So the answer is....most of the above. I discovered the voltage regulator was outputting less than 2 volts. After that was replaced my problem was improved but not solved. I found an auto electric guy who ended up replacing the generator. We are now running with bright lights.

For the moment, I have no plans to replace the motor. I am going to continue my work to restore everything else to its original specifications.

One question I have for you all is that I am having trouble figuring out what the original interior was in my car. It was The body was originally silverblue, I'm quite sure. The carpet is definately wrong and I want to replace the dash and door panels and re do the seats. How can I tell for sure what the car actually came with? The dash and doors are so faded now it's impossible to tell if they were silverblue or turqoise. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

P.S. Father Larry - more photos coming to you.