67 Cigarette lighter restoration

[Chris E.]

I've got the original lighter for my 67. It heats up and pops out as it should, but it does not glow red. I was told at a Chapter Meet that if I'm headed to PV, that will be a fail. I've also read as much in the PV manual.

So here's my question.

Can I replace JUST THE COIL on the lighter, and still retain my CASCO housing? I have the handle apart from the heating element half. I'm wondering if the heating element half comes apart where I could order a new repop coil, put it in the CASCO housing, and put it all together.

Thoughts?

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

A CASCO 63 has a ceramic ring behind the element. The heat coil appears to be welded to the case. I don't believe you can easily change the coil. Later CASCO elements have no ceramic ring.

You might try bead blasting the element.

I tested a couple that I have, and found that they both glow red, but only after trying a couple of times. I noticed that they didn't stay "in" long enough on the first try. So, if the element heats up but releases early then it won't get red. I believe this is caused by the socket condition which releases the element. You may need to invest in a new socket. That solved the problem in my 72 Monte Carlo which would not stay in at all.

Try holding the lighter in the socket for a few seconds longer or try in another car.

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

I've got the original lighter for my 67. It heats up and pops out as it should, but it does not glow red. I was told at a Chapter Meet that if I'm headed to PV, that will be a fail. I've also read as much in the PV manual.

So here's my question.

Can I replace JUST THE COIL on the lighter, and still retain my CASCO housing? I have the handle apart from the heating element half. I'm wondering if the heating element half comes apart where I could order a new repop coil, put it in the CASCO housing, and put it all together.

Thoughts?

Chris:

If it heats up and pops out, then it is not broken. What you need to do is adjust the element retaining tabs/clips inside the housing to hold the element "in" longer to get it hotter so that it glows a dull red color when it pops out. I had to do this a few years ago with my lighter element. Use a needle nose pliers and GENTLY/SLIGHTLY pinch the clips more together at the 12 volt power connection inside the lighter housing.

This MUST be done with the battery disconnected and NO POWER to the lighter for obvious reasons. No one is that good that they can make this adjustment with 12 volt power on. But some have tried.

Take you time, it may require a few iterations to get it correct. Don't overbend.

You may also need to bend/adjust the retainer housing "fingers" that hold the lighter element in the retainer and keep it from poping out in your lap when it is hot. This is a second and separate adjustment.

Larry

[Chris E.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

The coil has some corrosion of some kind on it. Not sure what it is, I'll shoot a picture when I can and post it.

On the adjustment thought, the lighter does pop out and stay in the dash. So that adjustment is OK.

How long should the lighter stay pushed in to heat up? I'm going off of memory, but I thought it was around 6-8 seconds. Something like that. I didn't time it.

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

The coil has some corrosion of some kind on it. Not sure what it is, I'll shoot a picture when I can and post it.

On the adjustment thought, the lighter does pop out and stay in the dash. So that adjustment is OK.

How long should the lighter stay pushed in to heat up? I'm going off of memory, but I thought it was around 6-8 seconds. Something like that. I didn't time it.

Chris:

My cigarette lighter retainer "hot" connection also had some corrosion. I used some electrical cleaner and a small artist brush to clean it. Again.....power off.

Six to eight seconds is about right. Just hold the lighter in for 6 seconds and then check it. Do the same for 8 sec, 10 sec, etc until you find the right amount of time.

Larry

[Chris E.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

The corrosion I'm referring to is on the heating element. I don't know what the socket in the dash is like from memory. I think it's pretty good, but not 100% sure.

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

The corrosion I'm referring to is on the heating element. I don't know what the socket in the dash is like from memory. I think it's pretty good, but not 100% sure.

Most "used" coils have corrosion and or deterioration from years of use (or disuse) and from tobacco/cigarette paper residual (ash). A little electrical cleaner might improve.

Larry

[Chris E.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

Ok, I can try that. Thanks.

[William L.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

Chris
Here's what I did with my Element. I put it in my sandblaster with very fine sand, low pressure and held it about 6/10" away using very short blasts it cleaned it right up. To get all the sand out of it I used spray carb cleaner and air. Make sure that the element is DRY before you use it.
Mine came out looking great and working great. Bill

[Chris E.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

Thanks Bill for the picture. I hope to get mine looking like that! I just don't want the lousy cigarette lighter to be the reason I fail my PV.....

[Wayne M.]

Re: 67 Cigarette lighter restoration

Here's another pic of an NOS element "63 CASCO" with the foreskin withrawn to expose the ceramic. [hope that's PC; was the best analogy that came to mind].