Topic: fibre optics
in Forum: C3 Body
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Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
The only fibre optics which work in my car are those for the front side/indicators, when I had my shifter console out recently to check out my wiring issues the fibre optics for the rear lights weren't there at all!
Can these be repaired? the fibre optics are present in the rear lights but somewhere between there and the console area they've been cut off.
I haven't looked at the front ones yet, were the headlights included in the system originally?
I seem to have more indicator lenses on the console than I have lights!
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Graham
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
At the bottom of the console, you should have Left Tail--License--Right Tail. At the top of the console there are 3 indicators(6 total) for each side simply labeled Left Lamps---Right Lamps. Iirc, there is an indicator for park/turn lights, low beams, and high beams on each side.
The fiber optics for the rear are bundled/taped up the the rear wiring harness...it comes thru into to cockpit from the driver side, at the rear bulkhead...waaay back there! IF the fiber optic lines are broken, or have been cut, but are still there, you can splice them back together with heat shrink tubing. The ends of the lines have to be cut square, so they will fit tight up against each other....any space will diminish the travel of the light thru the optic line. There are also some special splices made for fiber optics that are very similar to unions used in hydraulic lines, like this....
I've never used one like this, so I can't comment on how good/bad they are. I have used heat shrink tubing before, and while it's not as good as having a complete, uncut fiber optic line, it does work.
The fiber optics for the rear are bundled/taped up the the rear wiring harness...it comes thru into to cockpit from the driver side, at the rear bulkhead...waaay back there! IF the fiber optic lines are broken, or have been cut, but are still there, you can splice them back together with heat shrink tubing. The ends of the lines have to be cut square, so they will fit tight up against each other....any space will diminish the travel of the light thru the optic line. There are also some special splices made for fiber optics that are very similar to unions used in hydraulic lines, like this....
I've never used one like this, so I can't comment on how good/bad they are. I have used heat shrink tubing before, and while it's not as good as having a complete, uncut fiber optic line, it does work.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
Thanks for your reply, I'll need to try and find where they've been cut is the fibre optic material readily available? I'd suspected a join could probably be made with heat shrink, have to get googling!
Thanks
Graham
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Besides cutting the end of the fiber optic cable square, both surfaces need to be polished to ensure maximum transmission.
1973 L-82 4 spd
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
I thought I'd try fibre optic cable but when it arrived the fibre strand was too small in cross section to transmit enough light to show at the other end so that was a fail!
Any suggestions as to what I should be looking for in the description to get what I need?
For making the connection I had in mind a combination of heat shrink and crystal clear epoxy?
Thanks
Graham
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
Any suggestions where I can get suitable materials to repair my fibre optics?
Been searching the interweb but unless I buy 100 feet I'm not having a lot of luck!
Thanks
Graham
Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
This one is currently on eBay at $75
http://www.c3vr.com/vrforums/enter_msg.asp?Act=REPLY&RT=487711&RID=487711&FID=4
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http://www.c3vr.com/vrforums/enter_msg.asp?Act=REPLY&RT=487711&RID=487711&FID=4
Cut and paste, the link button isn't working
in Forum: C3 Body
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