GE #6012 sealed beam headlight replacement

[49er]

 Took my headlight assemblies apart today to clean out some accumulated dust and polish up the bright bits and got to thinking about the sealed beam headlights themselves. They are over 40 years old (GE 6012) and thought probably while I have the bezels off it might be a good time to put some new ones in. In checking around it seems that the 6012s are no longer available. I want to maintain the original appearance of the car and keep the sealed beams and not add any new relays or beef up the wiring. I have looked some older posts on the Forum but couldn't find a clear answer. Any info on a good replacement lamp would be much appreciated.

John

[Jonny B]

Did you try looking at the local NAPA or O'Relly's store. The US sealed beam headlights for our cars are really nothing special. These lights were mandated by the US regulations, and are generic pretty much across all range of cars (domestic, etc.).

I did a quick search at K&K, Buds and Millers, and they had no listing for a US sealed beam. Autohauz Az did have some Sylvannia bulbs listed.

I would recommend you take a look at the generic auto parts places. A common upgrade, with very little degradation in looks or need for upgrades is a halogen type bulb.
I believe there were a couple of strings about this posted,try the search function to see. (use the term "headlight" in the search field and limit the search to topic line only, I got three pages of hits. There were a couple of comments about the Sylvania bulbs, and about some conversions that would not require modifications)
Good luck

[twistedtree]

I switched over to these on one car.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lighting-and-Lighting-Accessories/Hella-7-Round-High-Low-Beam-Headlight-SAE.aspx?t_c=14&t_s=67&t_pt=4730&t_pl=9695

[JPMOSE]

I wanted the original 6012s for mine because of the wider ribs (I know this is over the top)...It took quite some time to find new originals and two blew out within minutes (new, but maybe something corroded internally due to age).  I think using modern is the best way to go!

[49er]

Thanks guys for your replys. I went to Walmart and got a pair of sylvania h 6024 headlamps. I will clean up my old 6012s and stash them away some place safe:-)

John

[49er]

Significantly brighter then my old 6012s

[rmmchl]

the Sylvania ones have the word Sylvania written right across the middle of the bulb. I threw 2 new ones away because of this. This type of advertisement doesn't look good on our cars. I could live with it, if the word was Bosch. Not Sylvania

[49er]

Not a big issue for me. I am keeping my old GEs (they still light up) for the next owner, who ever that might be:-) In the mean time I am just enjoying the ride. BTW, the original sealed beams that came on the car were not Bosch but GEs whose name "General Electric" wraps around the top of the lamp.

John