VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1916-1922 - Model 490 Headlamp Connector Sleeves

If you are willing to use the T-F**d parts I think they can be bought from Snyder Antique F**d parts. They are almost the same model and work fine.

Hi Don, I recognize that car! Those connectors are made by Ediswan, not to be confused with Edison. All I was able to find out about the company is they are from Great Britain but is possible they had a plant here at one point. Possibly the only foreign parts used in a 490.

You are not being confused as to Edison because: In 1883 the Edison & Swan United Electric Light Company was established. Known commonly as “Ediswan”, the company sold lamps made with a cellulose filament that Swan had invented in 1881.
Here is the story behind the Ediswan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Swan

Swan was the inventor of the electric bulb, as stated here. So I think the headlight equipment on a 490 may have been delivered from UK but most likely from a domestic branch in the Edison part. Edison started with screw connection and Swan with bayonet, and both went on using both systems for the bulb holder.

Here are more details about the brand: http://www.debook.com/Bulbs/ediswan.htm

At the moment I cannot find a possible original supplier on the Internet. Sorry.

Interesting history behind those parts. I wonder how Durant got hooked up with Ediswan?

I doubt those metal sleeves are reproduced, and, like many 490 parts, are difficult to find. I'll try a Want Ad.

So just on the chance that nobody has any as a result of the want ad - and if you should therefore decide once again to get some made - I would be a buyer for a pair, maybe two pair. My "good" Four-Ninety (the first one I bought, the July 1916 car) still has the originals. My second Four-Ninety (March 1916 car) is just rigged wtih (presumably) Model T parts.

Kinda makes you think somebody should start up a business supplying Four-Ninety parts, eh, Don??? With all due respect to Gary Wallace, his focus is on the later, more numerous 4 cylinder Chevys of the mid and later 1920s - pretty sparse on Four-Ninety parts.

By the way, when I was doing my research for my "Turning Point" Four-Ninety article in the December G&D, I discovered that Chevrolet always refered to the model spelled out as "Four-Ninety" and never as the numerals "490" (except in the Parts Books, where it was more of an abbreviation type useage).

Durant had been in the automobile industry long enough to know the main part suppliers. When wanted he even bought them when possible. An example of his skills: He managed to start the making of Durant cars within less than a year after leaving the leadership in GM in 1920.

http://www.durantcars.com/basics/history.shtml

That could not have been possible if he did not know where to find the parts he needed. And Iam sure the workers in the auto industry did talk to each other even if they were making a compeeting brand. How did the makers otherwise come up with nearly the same solutions and designs?

I think they always have studied the models of other makers, to make their own a better one.

ChevyGuru: I agree, SOMEBODY needs to start a Four Ninety parts business. It would be a tough business to sustain though. I had some success spreading the cost of new battery boxes over five takers - but they were still expensive. The other problem is finding willing suppliers. I had a vendor all set to make push rod oil felts for me, then he decided even 100 pieces wasn't worth his time. I haven't given up on the idea though. Maybe these headlamp plug sleeves will be next...

I would be a taker for the headlamp sleeves along with a set of headlamp plugs if anyone has them.

Cheers,
Gary

Gary - I'm using Model T headlamp plugs (thimbles and sockets). You can buy them from a T vendor like Lang's and Snyders. Unfortunately , the Model T wasn't equipped with metal sleeves.

Found these on Ebay ... do these fit or is the seller wrong?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-M...ries&vxp=mtr&hash=item27c19253f3

I am using the same on my 1916 engine. No problem. Oil the 8 felt rings when you also oil the rocker arms.

490touring - the Best Gasket felts will work, but they're not the correct thickness for a 490. The originals are 3/4" thick. I believe Solan stacks two of the Best Gasket felts per pushrod. Depends on whether you're going for the authentic look.

Thanks for correcting me. I did not know you need a double set. Will change = add an extra set before the next season.

I have suspected all along that those pushrod felts were not tall enough and that maybe they should be doubled up. Thanks for the info, guys.

Cheers,
Gary

Solan - you have me confused. I have a photo of your engine that clearly shows two stacked felts per push rod. I'm not sure the thickness of a Best Gasket felt, but two stacked looks to be about 3/4". I measured the felts that came on my engine and they measured 3/4" high, but the internal diameter was too worn to re-use.

I have only used one set from Best Gasket, not two. But it is possible the felts may be too thin, so therefore I thought I could add another set. I will check better when visiting Solan in his storage some time in January.

Back to the original topic. Could someone measure the headlamp connector sleeves, so i could posssibly make some for my car later down the track,possibly fit them over model T ford sockets.
Thanks Jack

I made mine out of 1/2 inch rigid copper pipe caps and had them chromed.

That is a good idea, i was thinking of welding ends onto some stainless tube.

Good thinking and a satisfying solution that will help.

61 vert,

Great idea with an excellent result! Painting them black would also be an option (for me anyway). Can I ask are those plugs on the wires original or another manufacturer? It is hard to tell if the wire comes into the side of the plug or from underneath? Thank you for the idea.

Cheers,
Gary

Those headlamps are on a Chevrolet model T truck. Same as 490. I did index the caps so that the wires exit to the side. I believe that I got the wire ends(plug) from American Auto Parts. Aftermarket.They also supplied the conduit and I made the conduit end out of a brass water line sleeve and had it chromed, then soldered it to the conduit. Thinking back, I had the parts nickele plated, not chrome. Sorry for the blurry picture.