how high is too high.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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RS,
If you don't have a level-type adjuster to get them close, you can set them the old-fashioned way. Find a wall, park 50-100' away on a level surface, and aim the highs straight out. The hot spot in the beams should be straight in front of the car and at the same level - not up nor down. The lower beams will fall wherever they fall. Aiming too high keeps the road surface in the dark, and too low will not fill the road farther away. These lamps are supposed to be optimized for a straight beam on HIGH, so aim them straight.
Personally, I miss my '67 'Bird. I had two 14V G.E. 4418 lamps in the high-beam slots. These were small aircraft landing lights, and I had to disconnect the high filaments in the outer beams and install heavier wiring and a relay to run them. A 20A fuse on each one would hold without blowing. Without exaggeration, I could see reflections from signs just short of three miles away on level ground on a clear night. I could see non-reflective objects over 3/4 mile away in detail. They sucked in fog and rain, and would heat the paint on the garage door when I aimed them - seriously. They were illegal as hell, but it's too bad I can't fit these on the newer cars. They were 5-1/4" round, and not much uses them any more. I haven't found anything as effective in replacemetn lamps, even the high-end Hellas and Bosch lighting. Even the off-road stuff doeen't do as well.
------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
If you don't have a level-type adjuster to get them close, you can set them the old-fashioned way. Find a wall, park 50-100' away on a level surface, and aim the highs straight out. The hot spot in the beams should be straight in front of the car and at the same level - not up nor down. The lower beams will fall wherever they fall. Aiming too high keeps the road surface in the dark, and too low will not fill the road farther away. These lamps are supposed to be optimized for a straight beam on HIGH, so aim them straight.
Personally, I miss my '67 'Bird. I had two 14V G.E. 4418 lamps in the high-beam slots. These were small aircraft landing lights, and I had to disconnect the high filaments in the outer beams and install heavier wiring and a relay to run them. A 20A fuse on each one would hold without blowing. Without exaggeration, I could see reflections from signs just short of three miles away on level ground on a clear night. I could see non-reflective objects over 3/4 mile away in detail. They sucked in fog and rain, and would heat the paint on the garage door when I aimed them - seriously. They were illegal as hell, but it's too bad I can't fit these on the newer cars. They were 5-1/4" round, and not much uses them any more. I haven't found anything as effective in replacemetn lamps, even the high-end Hellas and Bosch lighting. Even the off-road stuff doeen't do as well.
------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,416
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From: Johnstown, Ohio
Car: 84 Z28
Engine: 355 (fastburn heads, LT4 HOT cam)
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt, 3.27
Geez, I couldn't imagine Vader doing anything extreme and exotic as putting aircraft lighting in a Firebird! LOL
I want to put something like that on my car just to flash at the jerks that insist on leaving their high beams on until they get right up on you! I think I would be causing wrecks!
------------------
Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350
using primarily GMPP parts.
Block is in shop!
Awaiting results from all 8 ASE tests.
Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!
I want to put something like that on my car just to flash at the jerks that insist on leaving their high beams on until they get right up on you! I think I would be causing wrecks!
------------------
Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350
using primarily GMPP parts.
Block is in shop!
Awaiting results from all 8 ASE tests.
Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 19,655
Likes: 309
Originally posted by JP84Z430HP:
Geez, I couldn't imagine Vader doing anything extreme and exotic as putting aircraft lighting in a Firebird! LOL
I want to put something like that on my car just to flash at the jerks that insist on leaving their high beams on until they get right up on you! I think I would be causing wrecks!
Geez, I couldn't imagine Vader doing anything extreme and exotic as putting aircraft lighting in a Firebird! LOL
I want to put something like that on my car just to flash at the jerks that insist on leaving their high beams on until they get right up on you! I think I would be causing wrecks!
It wasn't that extreme. The lamp buckets had to be cut because the indexing tabs cast in the back of the reflectors were in different locations to "discourage" people from inadvertently installing these in highway vehicles. Actually, I got the idea from some road racers. There is a short course in the county and these lamps were pretty common in the "24-hours of Blackhawk" runs and Road America night heats.
I would occasionally not resist the temptation to "flip" the lights at other drivers who were inconsiderate or ignorant. Generally, their lights went to low-beam pretty quickly.
If you ever find a decent lamp in the correct envelope size, I'd be very interested. I've looked at Hella, PIAA, Bosch, KC, and G.E. and have found nothing suitable.
------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
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