Topic: For Driver Cars

[MWM]

I ran a search on the forum, but did not see an answer. I want to add a brighter incandescent bulb to the tail lights. No LED's, please! I believe the stock bulb #1157 is a 20w/8watts. I have come across a #2397 which is 23w/8w which will give a brighter brake light, but not a brighter running light. Halogens run 30w/10w and 50w/15w. My question, is what is a safe incandescent to run with a stock setup (housing, harness, alternator, etc)? Again, no LED's please.
Thank you!

[bryancobb]

I have found that rusty dirty reflector buckets rob about 75% of the light.
After you get the 2 re-plated, they will be 3x as bright with the stock bulbs.

[jwc66k]

Brian is correct about the housings. There are a couple of things to do: In most cases, press the socket out. 1. Bead blast and have the housings clear zinc plated; 2. Apply Evaporust to remove rust, sand and/or steel wool the inside to a smooth finish and spray Eastwood chrome paint on the inside and Eastwood zinc paint on the outside.
Problem areas: the methods some platers use does not plate the inside of the housing very well. Using some 400 to 600 grit sandpaper prior to plating and then using Mother's Aluminum Polish will get a fair to good reflective surface.
My preference is the Eastwood chrome paint for a non-concours car.
Jim

[MWM]

Thanks everyone, but I have already cleaned and powder coated the buckets. I am looking for information on brighter incandescent bulbs.
Thank you!

[jwc66k]

There are not any "brighter" bulbs, your quest is at a dead end. There is something to consider and that is you are most likely looking at the bulb brightness during the day or even in a shady spot. At night when you want those lights to be most effective, your eyes are accustomed to the dark and a red tail light can be seen further than in daytime. The contrast is a factor as well. The same goes for the brake light portion. The reason for the two different light levels (measured by lumens; watts, aka power, is not a good measurement reference) is to have the brake light very bright. If the light levels are close to the same, someone coming up on your rear might get confused.
If you do want a brighter light, add a second bulb via a snap in socket in an appropiate size hole. I had a 1959 VW dune buggy with 64-66 Mustang tail lights that had this feature, only the main lamp was for the 6 volt VW system, the other bulb/socket was for 12 volts from my tow car.
Jim