Headlight advice

[Nodakwalleyer]

Need some advice, I have a 1931 coupe with cowl lights, and the headlights are sealed beams. I am switching them back to originals and have a very nice set of original lights ( Thanks Rod), but they have the 2-bulb reflectors. Should I switch to single bulb reflector's or keep the 2-bulb reflectors with the cowl lights. I have been thinking about this and not sure which way to go, What is the norm or any advantages or disadvantages, thanks!

 

[antiquepa]

Don"t know the norm, but my 31 roadster came that way which I believe is wrong, but when u have your parking lights on going down the road, looks like headlights and pull less juice and u can be seen. I like them!! just my 2cents!! I also like whitewalls.

 

[KGBnut]

I use my cowl lights as turn signals, and keep the parking lights in the headlight shells functioning normally.

 

[Nodakwalleyer]

Thanks for reply Antiquepa, so you have 2-bulb reflectors and the cowl lights, and when you turn on parking lights, the cowl lights and one bulb in headlights light-up? That is the way I was leaning, then I do not have to buy new reflectors and makes sense like you say, I will be seen, thanks

 

[Nodakwalleyer]

Thanks KGBnut, I like that idea also, what kind of turn signal do you use?

 

[Kurt in NJ]

If the dealer installed cowl lights on a car without them I doubt the reflectors were changed too --the wire was just moved ----a 31 Deluxe coupe had cowl lights--and a dome light ---it would have single bulb headlights

If the reflectors you have are original and useable they will work better than most reproductions

 

[John Kuhnast]

I have the two light on my 1931 pickup. How can I tell if they are original or repo.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Thanks for reply Antiquepa, so you have 2-bulb reflectors and the cowl lights, and when you turn on parking lights, the cowl lights and one bulb in headlights light-up? That is the way I was leaning, then I do not have to buy new reflectors and makes sense like you say, I will be seen, thanks

Originally a car that had cowl lights from the factory would have just one bulb in the reflector.

If you want to use your cowl lights as turn signals, you can buy reflectors (from Brattons) with two bulbs. Use the cowl lights as turn signals and the second bulb in the reflector as the parking light IF you have the correct wiring harness or run another wire to the head lamps.

 

[green30coupe]

I use my cowl lights as turn signals, and keep the parking lights in the headlight shells functioning normally.

Me too. Somewhere along the line somebody installed cowl lights on my standard coupe. When I got it I added turn signals using the cowl lights and added a taillight to the passenger side. I like the parking lamps in the headlight shells.

 

[Nodakwalleyer]

Thanks for all the reply's!

 

[CarlG]

My cowl lights have dual filament bulbs and are used for both parking lights and turn signals.