GTA_doum

Hello,
I have an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1972. I am looking for the bulbs in the fuel gauge unit, with the dumb lights. For the engine temp, GM book indicates to use a bulb type 557 :
"Engine Temp. Indicator (Flashing) (Exc. Rocket Rallye Pack) 557 Can. Pow. 3", 3 is the same as bulb type 168.
Is the 557 bulb a bulb that flashes by itself? Is there a new number for this bulb or it does not exist anymore?

rocketraider

Olds used those a lot in early 70s- idea being that a flashing light would emphasize "you need to stop the engine now". My 69 Toronado has one of these- there's a hot light, and in same pod a flashing "STOP ENGINE" light that comes on if temp goes way high. SE light is triggered by a sender in a left-side cylinder head bolt.

I think it may be an obsolete bulb number and don't know if there's a modern cross-reference. A 194 or 168 will function just fine as a warning lamp, you just won't have the flashing function.

Note to junkyard scroungers- you may want to start pulling these flasher lamps from 68-70 Toros, 71-73 B-C-E body, and any other car that uses them.