1968 Fender Top Turn Signal Light Bulb Replacement

[Ghostultramarine]

After having done searches for visual guides regarding exactly how to go about replacing/changing the #330 bulbs in the fender top turn signal lights I thought I would post some pictures of my adventure.

I’ve read what others have said but it’s very different having the background knowledge of having done something, having watched another do it and having only read about it.

I decided to remove the whole housing as pulling on the metal bulb holder was not going anywhere and I did not want to break anything.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

The next two pictures show the cap with the rubber grommet pulls off. Inside one was what appears to be a cocoon.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

I’m not sure how to proceed now. It looks like the cylinder under the frame (with the wire coming out) may pull out. It did not move and I did not want to force it.

I sprayed Deep Creep onto it and am letting it sit over night.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

OR is that cap the only thing that does come apart?!

I remember reading the bulb is “press-fit”(?).

IF that is the case, how would you get the bulb out?

 

[LocuMob]

The bulb comes out like you're thinking it does. Do you have a replacement 330 bulb to check against, locating tabs or not?

 

[Ghostultramarine]

The bulb comes out like you're thinking it does. Do you have a replacement 330 bulb to check against, locating tabs or not?

Hi, yes, I have a brand new pack of 10 #330 bulbs.

Since I don’t know what you mean about locating tabs on the bulbs, I’m going to say “not”.

They just look like 22 rounds.

Okay, so if it comes out that top hole, HOW do you get them out, then?

 

[LocuMob]

Hi, yes, I have a brand new pack of 10 #330 bulbs.

Since I don’t know what you mean about locating tabs on the bulbs, I’m going to say “not”.

They just look like 22 rounds.

Okay, so if it comes out that top hole, HOW do you get them out, then?

I should have clarified, the bulb comes out the bottom, with the wire.

Here's the wiring diagram for a 68 Dodge, I imagine it's be the same across the board.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

Thank you.

As you were getting that I remembered about the parts book...

 

[Ghostultramarine]

Still won’t come apart ...

Sprayed more deep creep and am impatiently waiting...

I don’t want to try to force it and break anything. It may have been untouched for 53 years.

 

[cbarge]

You dont pull the cap off..that screws up the lamp assembly
Bulb gets replaced from bottom portion of socket.
yes they do rust and sieze up.
Once they are free,no need to completely remove them from the fender--just pull down the socket to replace the bulb.
I may have some working used spares.
I was lucky to score and install NOS ones on my car..

 

[Ghostultramarine]

On these there was a definite need to remove them.

They won’t come apart and it would have broken the plastic.

I’ve used a LOT of force and they won’t budge. They’re extremely seized.

I’m thinking of submerging them in penetrating oil and just let them soak for a few days.

When I eventually get them apart I was thinking of using anti-seize in the sleeve.

 

[HWYCRZR]

I broke my plastic trying to get mine out. I saved all the pieces and clear epoxied them back together and fine sanded them. If I didn’t tell anyone they likely wouldn’t see any damage. I found my link b

One time use fender turn signals?

 

[live4theking]

Soak the daylights out of it. Then lightly clamp it in a vise with the wire and cap sticking up. Gently grasp it with channel locks. Slowly work it with a twisting motion. If it won't turn soak it more and repeat. After I got mine apart earlier this week I discovered that after cleaning the inside and outside of the bulb socket and installed the original bulb it worked. With that said I would install a new bulb if I had it.

 

[carrman]

You dont pull the cap off..that screws up the lamp assembly
Bulb gets replaced from bottom portion of socket.
yes they do rust and sieze up.
Once they are free,no need to completely remove them from the fender--just pull down the socket to replace the bulb.
I may have some working used spares.
I was lucky to score and install NOS ones on my car..
View attachment 467538
View attachment 467539

If he doesnt need them I would be interested in them.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

UPDATE: I still cannot get them apart.

Tonight I gently used a chisel around the opening (or where there should be one - if you look at the pictures above there is absolutely no gap). It moved the inner housing less than a mm but there is a tiny gap now.

They are back submerged in Deep Creep.

Hopefully that tiny gap does the trick.

(I did plug them back in just in case soaking them was enough to get them working again, but no luck.)

 

[Ghostultramarine]

I cannot endorse Deep Creep in this venture ...

They’re still stuck. In fact, the tube holding the bulb is moving in the bracket, not the bulb holder in the tube.

They are now submerged in white vinegar.

If this doesn’t work I’ll try transmission fluid.

I’ve read good things about both being able to eliminate corrosion and free up parts.

 

[Ghostultramarine]

Well, a few hours sure took the rust off.

Still frozen solid ...

 

[live4theking]

I take it you still haven;t gotten them apart though. One of the guys I work with likes to soak stuff in diesel fuel to get it to break loose. Got any diesel?

 

[Ghostultramarine]

I have gotten 1 apart.

I had to use a chisel and gently (sort of...) tap in the gap and rotate and eventually it came out.

The other has been soaking in atf.

It’s been an extremely slow process.

I’ve also found the bulbs are not #330 as I had previously been led to believe.

 

[live4theking]

How did you ever make out with the second one?