Cowl lights, parking lights and turn signals

[qstott]

My '30 Tudor has been through some changes. It has two bulb headlamps, and cowl lamps. There are no wires running to the headlamps for the parking lights, even though the bulbs and sockets are in the head lamps.

I'm thinking about changing the parking lights back to the head lamps, and using the cowls for turn signals. I'd rather not change the whole harness to have the needed length wires to run to the head lamps. I was thinking I could possibly use the cowl light cross over wires and run them to the head lamps.

I have questions after seeing the cowl light conversions kits. They change from a single to a dual filament bulb. I'm assuming you must use an amber lens on the cowl light. That would make my parking lights amber.

Anyone ever run parking lights in the head lamps and cowl lights at the same time?

If I use standard tail lights with higher wattage bulbs and a led third light as brake and turn signal and cowl lights as front turns, is that too many amps? I'm not against used the led tail lamps, But it would cost less to use incandescent bulbs in the tail lights, and I think the third brake light would greatly increase the rear visibility.

Any one running a set up anything like this? Thanks!

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by qstott

I was thinking I could possibly use the cowl light cross over wires and run them to the head lamps.

I there enough wire for that?

Then you need to buy the wire for the cowl lights and the tail lights. Is there really a savings in doing it that way over just buying an already complete harness?

[Gerald1961]

My car came with parking lights in the cowl lamps wired parallel to the parking lights in the mains. I did not change up to now though it is not original but looking nice!

Gerald

[qstott]

Is there a complete harness with cowl lights and headlamp parking lights?

[RonC]

Originally Posted by qstott

Is there a complete harness with cowl lights and headlamp parking lights?

Brattons sells harnesses with the correct headlight terminals which is important for a correct headlight connection as designed by Ford. Cars that had cowl lights added by the dealer had 2 bulb headlights and harnesess. The dealer added a connection from tail light wire in the harness to a switch under the dash and then to the cowl lights. This is shown in the Ford service bulletins issued to ford dealers.

[qstott]

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That's very helpful. Do you know of any venders that carry the add on cowl light harness?

[RonC]

Originally Posted by qstott

That's very helpful. Do you know of any venders that carry the add on cowl light harness?

I dont think it's reproduced.

[barnstuf]

In my opinion cowl directional lights are borderline effective in daytime and ineffective at night giving you a false sense of security. Because they are behind the brighter headlights is why they are not effective for night driving. My suggestion is leave the wiring as is and if directionals are on your mind use separate front lights.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I used the cowl lights for directionals in my 30 roadster and left the cowl light crossover harness in place but unconnected in case a future owner wants it back as stock. The parking lights are still in the headlamps but the cowl directonals should use amber bulbs for more familiar signalling.

[qstott]

Where do you find the 6v amber bulbs, and would you happen to know the number? Is it a 63A? Thanks.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Originally Posted by qstott

Where do you find the 6v amber bulbs, and would you happen to know the number? Is it a 63A? Thanks.

That's a good question, I didn't find any but I think I read somewhere that you can paint them.

[Bruce Adams]

I use my parking lamp bulbs in the headlight for original purpose. My Cowl Lamps make TREMENDOUS TURN SIGNALS. I am almost ALWAYS WAVED across for left turns, on LONG ISLAND, mind you, an area not always noted for patient drivers.(Night and Day) I just ran a wire from the cowl lamps to the turn signal's wire to right and left turn bulbs. Front turn signals are mainly for left turns as far as I can see. When else are they needed?
I have LED rear lamps and a third brake light. I am thrilled with my set up and would heartily recommend it to others. I have included the back photo. The cowls have never been lacking. I DO use the higher capacity tungsten bulbs in them.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by qstott

... Do you know of any venders that carry the add on cowl light harness?

I got mine from Sacramento Vintage Ford.

Originally Posted by qstott

Is there a complete harness with cowl lights and headlamp parking lights?

Sacramento Vintage Ford.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by forever4

Cowl lamps make terrible turn signal lamps for location and visibility IMO. It is not what the general public expects.

While not the ideal location, I have had no problem with oncoming traffic recognizing my turn signals in the cowl lights. More often than not, they yield to me when they see the cowl light flashing.

[TerryH]

I also agree that the cowl lights do make very acceptable turn signals and use mine all the time in busy traffic here in Southern California. With quartz halogen headlights, turn signals, and dual LED tail lights, I have no issues driving on our local freeways at night, or on busy surface streets.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by qstott

That's very helpful. Do you know of any vendors that carry the add on cowl light harness?

I have not looked at all the vendors, but i would be surprised to hear of one that does not carry any harness you need. Shop "local" and save time and shipping.

[aonemarine]

Im still sticking my arm out the window. Works ok for left turns, but for rights I find most people just look up to see what im pointing at......

[qstott]

I finished the turn signals yesterday. I installed Amber lenses for the cowl lamps. While doing that I discovered the wooden blocks were missing for the arms. I had some and installed them. The cowl lamps were wired in with wire nuts and now they have the correct wire ends.

I used a cowl lamp cross over wire to plug in the harness at the switch to "tee" off to run wires to the headlamps for the parking lamps. It took a little modification, but it worked.

I was once again surprised when testing the headlamps. It seems the sockets had some wiring changes. The connections were reversed on the drivers side. When the switch was at the high beam position, the ride side was high, and the left side low. At the low beam position, the left side was high and the right side low.

I retained the standard rear lamps and installed brighter bulbs. The 3rd brake light worked very well. I think it was the BrakeLighter. The LEDs are impressive.