Bulbs for 1951 Cadillac (62 Series)

[ferdinard]

Is this list correct for all the bulbs for a 51 caddy?  My car has is still 6 volt, If there are more please list them.

*Headlight = 6006 Seal Beam

*Front Turn Signal/Fog Lights = 1022

*Front Turn Signal/Fog Lights = T55

*Brake Lights = 1034/1154

*Rear Turn Signals = 1034

*Backup/Reverse Lights = 1133

*Dome Light = 82

*Dash Lights = T55

*License Plate Light = 63

*Trunk Light = 63

[JIM THOMAS CLC#15000]

FERD.
      One thing  i've learnd is to replace  ALL the bulb when one goes bad .     you can keep the goodones for spares.   Congrats on keeping the 6-v system. jim

[Doug 22747]

There's a small (55)? parking light bulb in the fog light housing. There's also a small bulb for the trans indicator below the horn ring; high beam indicator, radio dial & glove box (55s I think).  8-volt is an option for quicker cranking, you don't have to change bulbs, but you'd have to get the regulator adjusted.   

[J. Friedman]

Years ago I installed an 8 volt battery in a daily driven '51 Oldsmobile.  Yes, it started easier, and though the small bulbs did not seem to be affected, the headlight sealed beams would only last a few months.  I ended up going back to a 6 volt battery after rebuiliding the starter with new field coils, cleaning up all the ground points and replacing the battery cables.  It subsequently started well. 

I did the same to my frequently driven 6 volt '49 Cadillac when it began having starting problems, including the installation of a thick positive battery cable, and since then have not had any starting problems.  On the other hand if a car is not driven much at night and the headlights are not used very much, 8 volts may be the way to go if there are starting problems.

[35-709]

There should be no problems with starting on 6 volt cars if the electrical system is maintained properly, which sometimes means just making sure all of the grounds are tight and clean.  Going to 8 volts can be a troublesome/bothersome band aid, masking the real problem which will ultimately just come back.  If you are going to the time, trouble, and expense to go to 8 volts, spend the same amount of time, trouble, and expense (or less) to get the 6 volt system to where it belongs.

Having said all that, switching to 8 volts was never the question in this thread.

Geoff N.