VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1940 Turn Signal Recommendations

Hello everyone.
I have been going back in forth trying to decide whether or not to install a turn signal system in my 40 MDSS. I've been looking at various turn signal kits in Chevs of the 40's and The Filling Station. My Chevy will stay 6 volt. I've got a new wire harness from Rhode Island Wiring that is currently being installed. Unfortunately, I did not have them add turn signal wiring. Wish I had known they could've done this before ordering and installing!!!
If I decide to install the turn signals I want it to be as original looking (cloth covered wire, etc.) as possible.
If anyone has done this before, could you please let me know what works and looks the best?
What are the pros and cons of after market turn signals?
How much modification to the parking and tail lights are required?
Are the 6 volt lamps even bright enough to make a difference?
How complex is this installation going to be?

I know I've got a number of questions here, but now is the time to install or not install. I trust your input and judgment more than you know!

Thanks!

Curt Kennedy

This is what I did on my 1939.
First had an after market switch with seven wires. This allows you to use the existing tail lamps for the rear. Very little wiring is necessary. If I remember correctly only one wire goes to the rear. I used the stock tail lights as the 1939 lights are small but bright
For the front I used the genuine Chevrolet fog lights as they have double contact bulbs with one of the filaments not used. I believe the 1940 lights are the same. Chevrolet offered directionals in 1940 and used the parking lights in front. A new double contact socket is used. There again the parking lights are small but fairly bright with the 21 candle power filament of the double filament bulb.
My concern is will the tail lights be bright enough on a '40 to provide good directionals. The test would be to follow your car and see how bright the present brake lights are on a sunny day. It may be necessary to add brighter rear lights and that would require two wires runing to the rear and a six wire switch.

Thanks Gene.
I appreciate your information. Wiring fog lights for turn signals is a good idea.
On my 40, the parking light sockets are rusted out. I hope to find new sockets that will serve as both a parking light and turn signal light.
Did your 7 wire switch come with decent instructions?

Curt

The switch I had was probably made in 1950, was new and I had no instructions. I had to figure out the wires and used a 1950 instruction sheet published by Chevrolet for the instructions....this was back in about 1975.
A new switch sold by the Filing Station for example will come with instructions so it should be simple.

cskennedy10,

In past posts it was recommended that to brighten tail lights (since yours are apart) to paint the inside of the tail light housing with gloss white paint.

Another way would be to check with either the filling station or Co40's for a reflector that fits inside the tail light housing behind the socket. Which is what I did but I have not had the system working so I don't know how bright or not they are.

Thanks for your recommendation Dave.
I did see some tail light reflector kits in either the Filling Station or Chevs of the 40's.
All the sockets in my parking lights and tail lights will have to be replaced due rust. The reflector kits certainly should increase the brightness back there.
I hope I can add this turn signal system without having to re-wire the parking lights and tail lights. (I hope I can use existing wiring) I'm still gathering as much info as possible before buying all things needed for turn signals.
Thanks,
:-)
Curt

cskennedy10,

I installed a 7 wire directional system about 4 years ago when my "Uncle Bill" owned the car. He didn't believe todays youth knew what hand signals were or meant.
The only rewire I performed was to the front of the car to add the directional lights. I did not have to add anything to the rear.
If you google "6 volt directional diagram" you'll see how easy it is. The directions are very straight forward.

Excellent.

Hand signals are no fun when making a left turn, up a hill, clutching, braking, raining and with the windshield wipers slapping around! Been there, done that.

I'm going to study the 7 wire diagram now.

Thanks much!

Curt

I purchased a 1940 Chevy Master Deluxe several months ago. Turn signals aren't correct and currently use a 3 wire set up. Do I need a seven wire signal to make this work? Also am assuming I need to change the front signal bulbs to dual element?