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Re: Euro Lites (replacing '86 on plastic)[240-260/1981] posted by Erston Reisch on
Saturday, 11 April 1998, at 3:16 a.m.
> another interesting way to go is adapting the euro lights from the ' 86
> and up models
Are you referring to the '86-93 240 plastic headlights found on US cars (and as far as I've seen, Canadian 240s as well)? I hope not.
I've found those things to provide poor lighting (compared to my 7" sealed beams, let alone my new-to-me 7" H4 Hellas). They also yellow over time, to a color more appropriate to fog lights than head lights.
I'm currently looking into replacing these things on two family 240s ('86 and '87 244GLs), and I'm not having much luck. Anyone have advice? I'd like to go to H4 lamps, especially after my literal "night-and-day" experience with my GT.
These cars have huge alternators, so I'd go with bulbs that would let people sun tan infront of the car in traffic jams.
However, the front end is different on the later cars, so the old headlight supports won't bolt in from what I've been told. Any ideas on ways to get those lights in to these cars? (I may "just" end up fabricating something that will hold a 7" round and whatever else will fit. If I do, I'll post instructions for others to follow.)
I assume that E-code lamps are available in Europe, anyone have any experience on these lamps? Are they plastic too? I can get the old glass 240 Euro lights from a dealer in Canada, so that's an option too.. but from what I've seen, those buckets don't bolt in to the newer cars either - not to mention the usd$700 a car costs.
Thanks in advance!
Happy Volvoing,
- Erston
<] Erston Reisch (er3@premier1.net)
<] 1980 Volvo GT (174k miles)
Re: Euro Lites (replacing '86 on plastic)[240-260/1981] posted by Brent Avery on
Monday, 13 April 1998, at 12:49 a.m.
> Re : poor lighting from ' 86 - ' 93 plastic headlights.
A possible drawback is deterioration of the plastic lens material.
Over the years i have had halogen headlights in a 145 ( 7 " ),
' 79 244 GL ( 4 " round ) ; ' 79 GT ( 7 " ) ; & a ' 81 245 ( 4 x 6 rectangular )
in combanation with various driving lights . In each case i have always
used 100 W bulbs for the Hi beam . Comparing them with the ' 86 & later
in terms of output i personaly find the " euro plastic " ( to coin a phrase )
on par with the earlier lighting systems. This is assuming that A : The
headlights are " like new " & B : 80 / 100 W bulbs are used.
There may be concerns by some regarding the possibility of the high
heat generated distorting or melting the the area where the bulb
is mounted but i have never had any problems with prolonged use .
Also , the wiring has held up under the increased current draw.
Bosch , Hella , & Cibie have offered halagon lights over the years in various
configurations with Cibie having the highest quality.
For anyone wanting the " Euro look " for the earlier 240 models it's
still an interesting route to take and from my experience definitley cheaper.
Mr. Reisch has a bit of a dilemma facing him in that short of replacing
the complete front end sheet metal adapting the early style lighting system
to a '86 and later 240 is going to be very difficult - the main problem is
the rad support . The area where the lights mount is closer to the grill
making integration pratically impossible . But, where there's a will there's a
way.
Happy mods!
Regards , Brent
l