Cibie Headlamps

[neilmorey]

I thought I had snapped up a bargain (£31/ pair) on Ebay a few months ago and got a set of Cibie 7" Headlamps. These are in the original BL box and have a part number 13H8370 and also marked C395 H2 with BXE775A hand written on the box.

Having taken off one of the sealed beam units it is obvious that these units do not fit in the same way as there isn't a suitable place to use the clamps that fix the sealed beam to the inner ring, no thickening. With the adjusters screwed right up the lamp also sticks too far out to be covered by the outer bezel.

Trying to fit an H4 Halogen bulb also doesn't seem right either. I think looking at a mini website that the bulb that fits is an old P45T type rather than H4. It looks like I could buy a converter ring or can still get P45T bulbs so not insurmountable.

There is a label on the rear of each lamp that says these headlamps can be set for Left or Righthand drive. From my investigation into the parts I need to make these fit it looks as if the Cibee headlamps were only fitted to Belgian built Minis and use a different headlamp bezel type 37H7588. The only ones I've found are about £35 each making this a rather expensive conversion.

I don't suppose by any chance anyone has found this problem and know an alternative part number for the bezel before I relist on Ebay with the heading of Rare/ Difficult to Find Part- mainly because they weren't fitted in the UK! Seller in Germany is selling them at 85 Euros each so it could still be a winner when we hit £1 to 1 Euro.

Can anyone please recommend the correct Cibie 7" headlamps that will be a direct swap with the Morris sealed beam units? Thanks

[samuria]

these are the type i have and they are easy to fit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-MINOR- ... SwBw5XRaPN

[bmcecosse]

Let's see a picture of your Cibies ? By any chance are they the very rare Bi-Odes ?? I guess the only way to make them left/right is to fit the bulb in an alternative position. No heard of this problem before - will be interesting to hear how it resolves. Certainly not aware of any different headlamp bowls either. Is it possible these units are for additional/aux lights - rather than as headlights ?

[neilmorey]

Thanks for the replies.

The headlamps appear to be the same as these, Cibie C395 but without the sidelight opening. Described as bilux rather that Biode.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322170362995? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Roy, below are some images on the lights and comparison with the current sealed beam unit.

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Further complicated by the Cibie lamps having 3 adjusters and the sealed beam units having 2 adjusters, change over seems to have been 1961 for Minis so I'd need a different headlamp bowl too. My Traveller is 1971.

[bmcecosse]

Hmm -odd! They look smaller too ? The Bi-Odes had two bulbs. Both on together gave awesome light.

[neilmorey]

I had a look on Somerford Mini site and they seem to be:

13H8370 HEADLAMP ASSY, Cibie/Valeo 2 Without pilot bulb. Cibie/Valeo Type (Usually on Belgian built models)

It is marked as obsolete so will hopefully be of help to someone when I sell them on.

There is no great rush to upgrade but thought I'd do it last night so they could be realigned when the MOT is done in the next 2 weeks.