MTFCA Forum

I purchased a headlight assembly and it looked like it had never been opened. The bulb has "Ford H" print on the glass which I have never seen. Just curious, is this a repo bulb or could this be period?

Also the bulb adjustment screw has a cotter pin. Not sure if the repos have cotter pins?

thacker wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 04, 2020 10:47 am

I purchased a headlight assembly and it looked like it had never been opened. The bulb has "Ford H" print on the glass which I have never seen. Just curious, is this a repo bulb or could this be period?
Also the bulb adjustment screw has a cotter pin. Not sure if the repos have cotter pins?
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There are two reproduction adjustment screws available one without and the other drilled out for a cotter pin. Sets come with the screw, cotter pin and spring. I can't shed any light on the bulb

That's an original Ford bulb - not many around anymore !

Neat find! A Museum piece. Is the name of the company that made it on it? I know it says Ford but did Ford actually make them? I had a bulb that had the faint remains of Ford on it but it wasn’t in good shape.

Wow, I was hoping it was period based on the condition of the inside of the bucket. No scratches on the inside paint and the reflector is in perfect condition. Too bad the bucket outside is rather rusty. And I only have one. I have attached a couple more pictures of the bulb post.

Also I included a very close up of the cotter pin. Interesting shape.

Susan, if you read this and are interested in having this for the Museum I will be glad to donate it.

I pulled this bulb out of a complete headlight I obtained with a bunch of T parts about 10 years ago. I didn't want the lens or the bulb to get broken. The logo is on the bulb shank, not the glass.
I planned on eventually using it, but I've yet to find a match. Someday.
By the way, I've been posting on the forum since almost the beginning. I mean just before the great Bruce McCalley was the webmaster. I believe Gus Strangeland (sp) was the webmaster.
This is the second time I've posted a photo. If it bombs, I apologize.

Regards,
Mike.

Well, whaddya know. I guess it worked after all. I'm on a roll!

Not to start another argument on filament arrangement and positioning, but here I go anyway. Note the two different filaments in that bulb, and that the base is clearly marked THIS SIDE UP. When properly installed, only one filament is in the focal center of the reflector, and that is the one that is focused by the screw so that the light is reflected straight out through the lens. This diagram has been posted in several other threads. The filament is also a precise distance from the base of the bulb placing it so that focusing may occur. The design, shape, and position of the filament in the reflector are critical for proper focus. This is why an 1157 stop/tail bulb is not a suitable headlight bulb.

We would love to have and display that bulb.

I have an original bulb too. The Ford script is on the base, and the glue is loose too. For awhile, the adjustment screws were not offered with cotter pin holes, but I believe they are now. I drilled my own cotter pin holes in stainless screws. That way I don't need to worry about nickel plating them.

Ted, thanks so much for the donation offer! The Museum will proudly display it!

I think Jerry already chimed in with a big "YES"!

Whenever is convenient for you to plan a visit to Richmond, we will happily accept it.

Thank you, Ted!
Susan

Ford did not make it's own bulbs as can be seen by the TUNG-SOL stamp on the base. However according to the "Service Bulletins" book, page 236, the bulbs were inspected at the factory before the Ford stamp was applied. "Ford inspection tests, both as to accuracy and alignment of filaments, and more particularly as to the life and candlepower limits of both major and minor filaments......." and "Every bulb stamped 'Ford' has passed a rigid inspection at this plant......." The service bulletin implies that every bulb was inspected (kind of hard to believe,) and the rejects were returned to the manufacturers and sold aftermarket through parts jobbers.

Here’s another type of Ford H bulb. Don’t know for sure when Ford used these. These were made by the Miniature Incandescent Lamp Co.

As Jeff says, Ford bulbs were made by outside companies. And those outside companies sold the same bulbs on the aftermarket without the Ford logo. I assume the ones with the Ford name were sold by Ford dealers, but for every Ford dealer there were multiple chain and independent parts stores. So most of the surviving NOS bulbs are the aftermarket version without the Ford name.

I intend to do a web page on magneto bulbs. Here's one of the pictures I'll use.

Amalco #1138: 9 v, 27 CP.

Susan and Jerry,

I will deliver the Bulb next time I pass by Museum. Most likely spring.

Wow, thanks everyone for great information.

Ted

Tung-Sol was bought and absorbed by another lamp manufacturer (Westinghouse? don't remember) around 1938, the brand being discontinued during the war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung-Sol
History
Tung-Sol was founded as Tung-Sol Lamp Works Inc. in Newark, New Jersey in 1907. Their early products were mainly geared towards the automotive market and included headlamps, pilot lights, and flashlight bulbs. The trade name was formed from the first syllable of "tungsten" and the Latin word "sol" meaning sun.

The company entered the electronics field in the 1920s. In time they established themselves as leaders in the development and production of vacuum tubes, with their main competition including RCA and Sylvania. By 1951, they began doing business as Tung-Sol Electric Inc. Soon after, they were acquired by Wagner Electric, which itself merged into Studebaker-Worthington in 1967. Tung-Sol was also active in the semiconductor industry, with its transistors being easily recognizable by their sky blue color.
Tung-Sol was privately held and run like a laboratory. This gave Tung-Sol vacuum tubes a reputation of having some of the best metallurgy and chemistry in actual production.[4] The Tung-Sol brand name is now owned by the New Sensor Corporation, the same company that owns the brands Sovtek and Electro-Harmonix.
Products
Tung-Sol developed the first successful car headlight in 1907, followed in 1913 by a single bulb two filament high and low beam headlight. Other Tung-Sol inventions included the flashing turn signal.[3] Tung-Sol created the 6550 vacuum tube, a specialized Hi-Fi audio tube in 1954.
Still making vacuum tubes https://www.tungsol.com/

Huh! Got that one all wrong!

I have 1158 headlight bulbs in my car. The headlight bulbs they used to make are not the same as the 1158 bulbs they make today I think. The 2 cp is practically useless today, but out of town on a dark night they do work. I believe the vendors are finally drilling the adjusting screws for a cotter pin. When I did mine, I bought stainless screws and drilled them myself.