Big Problem

[tscott9330]

I have a 78 vette and the headlights are all messed up. When I got the car it had been sitting in a back yard for at least 10 years. It appears the the whole frame work holding the headlights in place has rusted almost completely away and has pulled away from the ftront clip.

I have a few questions. First off is how big a deal is this?

How hard is it to find headlight assemblies and the whole frame work that attaches to the car?

Is it possible that if I find these parts can I reatach them easily?


Tom

 

[robert kirk]

I have the headlight assy out of my 71 now. It is a pretty straight forward in and out. I don't know your mechanical ability, but on a scale of 10 i would think this would be a 3 or 4 at the most. I have seen these for sale on ebay for about 300 a pair. It would be in your best interest to find what years will interchange. I would coat the exposed metal pieces with por15, this will prevent rust in the future. good luck robert

 

[tscott9330]

unfortunatly there is no metal left, at least none that is able to be salvaged. I need the whole thing headlight assemblies and the metal strip that holds the headlight assemblies up.

I dont think i've ever seen a replace ment for the metal strip.

Tom

 

[igasper10]

One of my headlights has done the same thing except I actually have all the metal intact. The metal headlight bracket assembly gets bonded to the front surround clip. After so many years it just pulls away. Any epoxy type adhesive such as JB weld should work. You'll just have to figure out a way to clamp it to let it dry.

ian

 

[MaineShark]

Shoot an email over to Chris (69MyWay). He seems to be the C3 headlight guru

And, you might want to convert to electric operation while you're at it, to avoid any problems related to your engine replacement and low vacuum...

Joe

 

[clar2001]

I have complete working headlight asb and vacum lines out of my 75,was detailing the engine and diden't like the extra vacum lines so I removed .........have pics

 

[bossvette]

I ditched my complete assembly and replaced it with rectangulars out of a chev truck 3/4 of my parts are still salvagable and ecklers has a header bar for about $80 I have two new brackets that hold headerbar in place @$13 and will sell you everything else for $100 for sure you will need a passenger side headlight housing support $165 I will include new seals and sleeves for the cannisters
ecklers lists 75-82 for $499.99 each complete assemblies
Volunteer sells seperate components with the headlight housing support $165

 

[intex99]

If your talking about the long bar that attaches to underside of the header I cut some 2x4s and epoxied it back into place then pressed it into place with the 2x4s.I was alittle afraid of trying to clamp it back on using the fiberglass on top as I wanted alot of pressure on it and it turned out great for me.As far as the headlights I have the recessed and think it looks pretty good and with the twin turbo hood makes it look like it was made that way.I don't think I get the best night vision with the recessed but don't drive that much at night either.I looked into getting the smoked plexi covers for it and got them in but sent them back as they just looked cheap to me.
Tim

 

[Enigma]

Good News. Well maybe not.

Ecklers has completey remanufactured Headlight assemblies.

Page 230 of the new catalog.

1968L - 1982 Models covered.

$500 US each side. :duh

Enigma

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Well if everything is as bad as you say, I would just go to the Monza headlight system and reget about the roll ups. It would cost less and be easier to install. Several places sell the convertion kits and must are around $450 +/-. With the covers on them they look even better. Take a look at my Eckler Daytona picture to see what the lights look like if you want. I think they look as good if not better than the stock lights and No vacuum problems.

Good luck