Have I messed up royally?

[714Speed]

I wanted to adjust my headlight panel forward tonight, so I loosened the two bolts under the panel. The panel has been rubbing the body on the top side. So I wanted to see if it was still rubbing and I raised the headlights with my hands to the open position and they locked open. How do I get them to shut again? Have I messed up royally? Worried, Neil.

My headlights do and have always operated properly, by the way.

 

[68Roadster]

Not exactly sure what you were adjusting but just fire up the car with the headlight switch depressed and the headlights should go down.....

 

[ChuckG]

It's really hard to tell you how to do this, BUT if you reach up through the cutout under the valence panel, and grab the bracket that actually raises and lowers the headlight, if you pull it down, while pulling it forward, you can release the light and close it manually.

I've done it zillions of times, but it's tough to tell you how to do it without showing you. It's like trying to tell somebody how to tie their necktie over the telephone. Chuck

 

[714Speed]

Thank you, guys. As you can tell I'm a little green on vettes. This is my first C3.

Back to my original problem: My headlight panels are rubbing ever so slightly the body of the car when they go up and down on the top side. They need to be adjusted forward toward the front of the car to give room for the panel to pass by without rubbing. Which bolt\bolts do I need to use to adjust them forward? What size bolt are they? I need help.

Thanks again,

Neil Hegwood

 

[mike weyman]

on the top end there is two pivots holding the door in place, loosen the three bolts on each and retighten in the right place, you may need bushings, but they're not expensive, may be worth changing anyway by the sounds of it.mike

 

[714Speed]

Does anyone have a photo of the bolts that I need to loosen? When I look, all I see is two bolts that look as if they can shift forward and backward that are located on the right and left of the springs. The only other adjustment I see is a small, thin bolt that resides within the spring mechanisms. I definitely need a photo. Any help appreciated. Neil

 

[mike weyman]

they're not on th center piece that has the springs, they are on the far back corners looking in. you have to remove the bulb surround to work in there, maybe remove bulbs too.

 

[714Speed]

Can you see the bolts without removing the bulb surround and bulbs? Do you make these adjustments with the headlights in the up (on) position? or in the down (off) position? Many thanks. Neil

 

[sixty9vette]

You can get to the bolts by removing the grills (includes the center grill). You'll have to get on your back and blind reach around for the outer side, but the inner side is easy to get to. I believe they're 1/2". Usually when the body gets nicked by the lights, it's because they're sitting too low (when rising, they start to make the turn too soon to clear the body - with the proper height they'll come up and over the body without touching it). If they're aligned perfectly with the body, then going forward a bit will help. I think you'll need about a 1/8" gap, and maybe slightly less than that. If you can't get enough adjustment to bring them level to the body, then check the support brace that's bonded (and riveted) to the body. It's the strip directly behind the headlight assembly. If the outer end has broken free, it'll cause the headlight to sag on the outer side and you'll need to fix that first. There's not a lot of play in those headlight pivots, but should get you where you need to be. BTW, that small bolt in the center bracket at the knee joint is an adjustment stud to align the front edge of the door.

 

[714Speed]

Now, I can see 3 bolts that can loosen and adjust a slotted bracket. Are these 3 bolts to adjust the gap between the panel and the body? (forward and back motion)?
I also see the bolt in the pivet joint that seems to move the panel up and down at the front edge.
Other than these two adjustments, are there any other alignment bolts that will solve the problem of the panel rubbing the body at the rear of the panel opening? Neil

 

[mfendley]

Where in GA do you live? You may live close enough to one of us that we can give you a hand in person.

 

[714Speed]

I live in LaFayette Georgia, near Dalton\Calhoun. Northwest GA, 15 minutes from I-75 and north of Atlanta about 1.5 hours.

I have a service manual and assembly manual, but they are not always very clear.

 

[mfendley]

Figures, I'm in southeast GA - right on the GA/FL border at the Atlantic Ocean. Probably as far away from you as I can get while being in the same state.

Since my grill is out, I'll see if I can get a digital picture and label all the adjustment places for you.

Mike

 

[714Speed]

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Yes, that would be incredibly helpful to say the least. THANK YOU!

 

[714Speed]

Update

Tonight I loosened the 3 bolts that have the slotted bracket and adjusted them forward and it did not help at all from keeping the rear of the panel from rubbing the body. It did not seem to move the panel forward away from the rear edge of the body. I tried adjusting it backwards as well and with no luck. According to the service manual, to make an adjustment you must take out the cotter pin, remove the springs, and adjust (turn) the pivet rod as well as loosen the 3 bolts on the slotted bracket. I didn't understand exactly what the procedures were either. The rear of the panel looks like it needs to be higher as well as a wider gap. I turned the bolt within the springs and the front of the panel does come up, but not the rear of the panel. Anyone know how to raise the panels in the rear? I sure haven't figured it out yet.

I also checked the riveted bar (brace) that is bonded to the body and it is very sound. Nothing loose, rusted, or sagging. Looks solid.

Thanks,

Neilad

 

[brusso]

Here's a twist. Mine does the same thing, but I looks like the body may need to come down as opposed to the headlamp assembly coming up? I also have a missalignment to the hood. the cornners of the hood are at the correct hieght but the nose of the hood is low.

 

[714Speed]

Have you ever tried adjusting the headlight panels up? What procedure did you follow? Just curious. Neil

 

[714Speed]

Mike, is this what you were talking about?

Well, I tried to attatch a photo and it won't work. But the only thing that I have not tried yet is the round bracket at the two extreme upper corners of the headlight panel that has 3 bolts on each. Is this what would adjust the rear of the headlight panel up and even with the body so not to rub the body as the panel raises? Many thanks. Neil

 

[sixty9vette]

the only thing that I have not tried yet is the round bracket at the two extreme upper corners of the headlight panel

Yeah, try that. You'll only be able to make some minor adjustments with those, but perhaps enough to resolve the problem.

 

[mike weyman]

yes the three bolts on either side , loosen all six up and retighten in place, you may only gain 1/8 to1/4 inch max.are you sure it wasn't in a fender bender??
that's what caused all my problems. mike weyman