Teardrop lights

sflem849 · Dec 30, 2011

Are some teardrops "more correct" than others? I tought I remembered some had words on the lens and some didn't.

The reason I ask is my WD-9 is missing some lights and I am going on a couple junkyard excursions next week. (Thinking about Jim Johnson in Miles, IA and one another 30 min west of there. Also Richland Center, WI) The tractor is an early 1951 with a rear light.

On the side, when they switched to the flat back lights did they keep a teardrop rear light?

Edit - typo

rustyfarmall · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:08:29 12/30/11) Are some teardrops "more correct" than others? I tought I remembered some had words on the lens and some didn't.

The reason I ask is my WD-9 is missing some lights and I am going on a couple junkyard excursions next week. (Thinking about Jim Johnson in Miles, IA and one another 30 min west of there. Also Richland Center, WI) The tractor is an early 1951 with a rear light.

On the side, when they switched to the flap lights did they keep a teardrop rear light?

Original lenses all had the Delco-Remy "Guide" logo. I have aftermarket replacement lenses that DO have the correct logo, and I have aftermarket replacement lenses that are generic without any logo.

The teardrop rear worklight was used even after the introduction of the sealed beam, flat back headlights.

AG in IN · Dec 31, 2011

For those who wish to impress the correct police, the early teardrop lights had a square terminal on the back of the light instead of the round one. I don't know exactly when they switched them, but it was probably the early '40's. By '51, the terminal would have been round.

There are at least 3 aftermarket clear lenses that are/were available at one time. One has no words and no numbers on it, one has the words and the numbers, but the name and numbers don't look like the originals, and one has name and the numbers and looks like the originals. I've lost track of who sells which ones.

There were also factory lenses with that were smooth on the outside and rippled on the inside and some that were rippled on the outside and smooth on the inside. What's "correct"? I don't know.

AG

rustyfarmall · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 08:16:37 12/31/11) For those who wish to impress the correct police, the early teardrop lights had a square terminal on the back of the light instead of the round one. I don't know exactly when they switched them, but it was probably the early '40's. By '51, the terminal would have been round.

There are at least 3 aftermarket clear lenses that are/were available at one time. One has no words and no numbers on it, one has the words and the numbers, but the name and numbers don't look like the originals, and one has name and the numbers and looks like the originals. I've lost track of who sells which ones.

There were also factory lenses with that were smooth on the outside and rippled on the inside and some that were rippled on the outside and smooth on the inside. What's "correct"? I don't know.

AG

Along with the square terminals (actually more rectangular) the early style clamps were made of cast iron. I've got a pair of the early style lights along with the early style clamps that I have offered for sale several times over the last few years. They are still for sale, but I will not give them away.

AG in IN · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 16:53:08 12/31/11) Along with the square terminals (actually more rectangular) the early style clamps were made of cast iron. I've got a pair of the early style lights along with the early style clamps that I have offered for sale several times over the last few years. They are still for sale, but I will not give them away.

I totally forgot about the cast clamps even after wrestling with a grounding problem on my H last week that has them.

I think I might still have a early NOS light swich with the lever hanging around here somewhere. Everyone wanted it for less than nothing, too.

AG

Jim Becker · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:41:41 12/31/11)

On the side, when they switched to the flap lights did they keep a teardrop rear light?

Click to expand...

The teardrop rear worklight was used even after the introduction of the sealed beam, flat back headlights.

I think the teardrop style was only used with the flat fronts if you had the optional combination red/white rear light. If you had the standard white-only, it would have been identical to the fronts.

PaulGinMn · Dec 31, 2011

the early lights are a bit hard to find. The light switch lever is even harder. Acouple of my plastic retangular terminals are cracked. I finally found enough to finish my 39 H and M but think Iwill buy anther set of lights and a lever switch if the price is right because Id like to buy a 39 A or B down the road. In some of my reserch of the lights I have found some refrence to the glass lens being different on the early 39's in that they had the rough surface of the lens instaid of inside. I have found one lens that way but not a set yet.

rustyfarmall · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 09:35:45 12/31/11)

(quoted from post at 09:41:41 12/31/11)

On the side, when they switched to the flap lights did they keep a teardrop rear light?

Click to expand...

The teardrop rear worklight was used even after the introduction of the sealed beam, flat back headlights.

Click to expand...

I think the teardrop style was only used with the flat fronts if you had the optional combination red/white rear light. If you had the standard white-only, it would have been identical to the fronts.

Jim, I think that is correct.

sflem849 · Dec 31, 2011

Were all the brands the same in that period? I know Guy Fay's book talks about many other brands using the Guide lights, but it doesn't say if they are the same exact.

Addition...

Brand new 5 inch lens for the Guide head lights used on Farmall letter series tractors A, B, C, H, M, etc. Also John Deere 2 cylinder models A through 70, Allis-Chalmers WC, WD, WD-45, etc. This an authentic reproduction with the original "GUIDE" logo and numbers. Just like the original.

AG in IN · Dec 31, 2011

(quoted from post at 23:38:36 12/31/11) Were all the brands the same in that period? I know Guy Fay's book talks about many other brands using the Guide lights, but it doesn't say if they are the same exact.

Guide made alot of lights for alot of ag equipment for many years.

I've seen Guide teardrop lights with shorter studs than the ones used on IH tractors.
Some Guide teardrop style lights have the wire coming out of the stud and don't have a terminal on the back of the housing. I don't know who used these, but I have one or two around here somewhere.

I have a few Guide headlights and a taillight that have the round terminal with a screw connection on the back just like the teardrops (but are not teardrop-style), but use standard 4411/4511 sealed beams (tail uses red-backed sealed beam). I don't know exactly on what or when those were used.

Does the lens in your picture say "Garber" or am I seeing things?

AG

Teardrop lights

sflem849

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AG in IN

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sflem849

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