As the title says, which is the best headlamp setup to run on pre-'85 cars; the quad 5 3/4" rounds found on the 78-80 cars or quad rectangles found on the 81-85 cars? I have access to both and I am not partial to the looks. I am just looking for the best possible headlamp setup other than importing e-codes.
Thanks,
Nick

Cool. Thanks to all for the replies. I guess the answer is a unanimous 5.75" rounds. I have them installed with the sealed beams and I really like the look. By E-code, I was refering to the large rectangular headlamp found on the European market models; I didn't feel like going through the trouble of finding and importing a good set. I will be ordering H4 and H1 headlamp replacements as soon as I can. Can anyone recommend either one of the sites mentioned here? (rallylights.com OR classicgarage.com)

Thanks again,
Nick

The round lights are definitely better. Also, I urge you to buy Hellas or another mainline brand with the H4 bulbs. The safety compared to the old US seal beam units is dramatic. These H4 Hellas are better than most of the contemporary stylish headlights on USA model cars unless you retrofit the genuine European units (at significant cost - I assure you, I've been there).

Do you remember the history of rectangle headlights? Up to about 1972, all US cars had sealed beam round headlights. Then GM lobbied DOT and said if they could use rectangle units, they could lower the profile of the hood and fenders and allow better visibility. After all, they wanted to build safe cars. Then in 1973 or 1974, they introduced Chevys and Buicks with the rectangle lights stacked vertically. So much for safety and so much for the DOT.

Hm. I guess I'm the odd man out, but I like the results I get from rectangular lamps. I haven't run the volvo rounds, but have a single round headlight on my motorcycle. The light output doesn't seem nearly as clearly defined as the rectangular lamps.

The 4 headlamps on my 240 are definitely better than the 2 I have on my 740T.

Happy Bricking
--
1990 740 Turbo, on its way to stock specs, maybe beyond

re: "...but have a single round headlight on my motorcycle. The light output doesn't seem nearly as clearly defined as the rectangular lamps...."

As someone who used to use Cibie (e-code) 7 inch rounds on his '73 and '75 164's, I'd suggest putting just one of these on your bike (www.danielsternlighting.com).
As I pointed out in my other post, a round lamp far surpasses anything a rectangular lamp will do simply because of the reduced reflector area of the latter; and Bosch points out in their book that larger diameter lamps (e.g., 7 inch) are more efficient than smaller (e.g., 5.5" quads) lamps. Even with a normal (55/60) wattage H4 inside, it will far surpass even your 240's quad rectangulars (which I presume are mere sealed beams).
In low beam, you'll have excellent pavement coverage as well as a rising illuminating on the right (to show deer or other wildlife that would otherwise become roadkill), all without blinding oncoming drivers; and in high beam, it will turn night into day compared to your sealed-beam quads.

Of course, if you choose to change both your bike and car's quads to Cibies, then the quads will win: 4 beats 1, even if the 4's are rectangular :-).

Regards,

I strongly suggest you pick up a copy of the latest (or even an earlier) edition of the "Bosch Automotive Handbook", essentially an engineering manual that's written in a prose that laymen (such as myself) can understand and learn from.

Before answering your question, however, I would suggest that you also consider the e-code substitutes (i.e., H4 bulbs in a "sealed beam sized housing), especially the Cibie brand, for your choice, regardless of your final decision on style. See www.danielsternlighting.com for a selection of the best headlights (IMHO).

That said, I'll summarize Bosch by saying that the answer is that the round configuration is far superior to the rectangulars. And aside from the book answer, you can see that for yourself if you examine the reflectors in a round and comparable rectangular lamps. The round, parabolic reflector is complete (think of a hemisphere of a globe, though it's not quite that), surrounding the filament uniformly all around it -- as a result, it captures and reflects all of the photons (eminating from the point source filament) forward through the front lens. In contrast, the reflector in a rectangular lamp is (using the same analogy) a hemisphere of a globe that has been chopped off at each pole from about 60 deg north and south latitude to their poles -- as a result, it has less (for it's size) reflector surface, and therefore reflects fewer photons forward.

Bosch goes on to also add that the larger lamp (measured horizontally) will have more useful light output, so the old "dual" 7 inch rounds are more efficient than the smaller "quad" 5.5 inch rounds, but at least with the quads, you've got twice as many lamps than the old dual setup.

As a subjective example, I used to own, simultaneously, both an '80 (245DL) with the quad rounds and an '84 DL with the quad rectangulars -- both had the Cibie e-codes with identical H4's inside -- and the rounds still had a noticeably stronger illumination.

Hope this helped.

it is my understanding that the theoretical best from a lighting standpoint are 4 round headlights. It is also possible to get e-codes cheaper than the custom late model volvo. One place - classic garage I think - have Indian made e-codes that appear copies of cibie and hella, much cheaper but probably lower quality. Still, $80? for all 4, flat or dome face, is pretty good. They are also available with city lights.

bmw john in avon / indy

Yes, round beats rectangular. Either beats the plastic '86+ style by miles.

Another excellent source for e-codes to drop into either round or rectangular headlights is rallylights.com, in PA. Very nice folks. Bulbs + reflectors is just over $100 for two, if I recall. That was a few years ago, but you'll find the current price quickly enough.
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, expanded air dam, forward belly pan reaches oem belly pan, airbox heater upgraded, E-fan, 205/65-15 at 50 psi, IPD sways, no a/c-p/s belt, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors, aero front face, quad horns, tach, small clock.

Yeap, highly recommend those guys. I have a 74 144 which have single H4 Bosch 7" round headlamps. I supplement them with a pair of 6.5" round Hella driving lights which I got from rallylights.com. This pair of lamps could illuminate the moon!
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

As others have already noted--the four round headlights are the best by far.--Dave

I am also VERY partial to the aesthetics of the quad round setup. I think it's the 240's nicest looking frontend. I love my '79's rounds! Just my 2 cents.

-Kirk

Mine too--and when my '80 245 gets retired the headlights are going on my '84 245GLT Turbo. -- Dave