Still working on it.....

[Subfixer]

I sent my aluminum intake and cast exhaust manifolds over to Jerry MacNeish's for reskinning, so to pass the time I thought I would fix the slow headlights... Bubba was here too.....

The left motor assembly is correctly date coded for the car (10/63), and aside from needing cleaning and lube, was in good shape.

The right motor assembly was from a 67 (1/67) and had obviously been apart before. The motor bronze bearing (at the end of the motor shaft) was all scored up on it's ouside, the retainer spring and the spring retainer plate were both missing from the motor body and the manual operation wheel retainer clip was missing.

Then I moved onto the headlight housings themselves. They were pretty stiff when I started and here's why..... All the Brass-steel bearings were seized onto the bucket pivot shafts, so what did Bubba do? He greased the ouside of the bearings so they would be able to spin inside the support cups.... I had to cut the bearings off the shafts.

Well, more parts are on order now to fix this mess, but at least my headlights will go up and down as they should. It's always something....

 

[67HEAVEN]

It's always something....

Ain't that the truth. :L

 

[JonM]

parts are on order now to fix this mess, but at least my headlights will go up and down as they should.

Kinda like Viagra for the headlights. :L

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

Ain't that the truth. :L

Man that Bubba is Every where....:ugh

 

[IH2LOSE]

When I first got my 66,beside a ton of electrical gremilins.I had slow headlamps.so I also removed them,I purchased rebuilt motor thru paragon,And I also purchased an entire rebuild kit for the balls.Some of the parts I glass beaded to clean them up.I then clear coated them all to protect them in the future. I removed my hood for easey axcess. I also spent hour trying to re-align them.I also had some corrosion on my switch connection that was easely cleaned up with a soft brass brush and then I put a smear of di-electic grease on it.

Good luck and have fun.

The cool thing about these older cars is that the more you fix,the more you have to fix.

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

Heh Sub Boy,

I just listed my Harrison SB Rad on the For Sale section. Last time I listed something you missed out and I told you I'd give you a heads up..

So Heads Up....

 

[Subfixer]

Body's off the frame, so working on the headlights is relatively easy. While I was taking it apart, I was thinking about the alignment problems I've read about. Doesn't look that hard, but I remember 67Heaven working hours to get his correct. Is this issue the side to side alignment, or the open close alignment? What needs to be adjusted to get the side to side right? I think I can figure out the up/down.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Body's off the frame, so working on the headlights is relatively easy. While I was taking it apart, I was thinking about the alignment problems I've read about. Doesn't look that hard, but I remember 67Heaven working hours to get his correct. Is this issue the side to side alignment, or the open close alignment? What needs to be adjusted to get the side to side right? I think I can figure out the up/down.

I found three issues to deal with: Up and down stops. Side to side gaps. Square to hole fit.

The side-to-side gaps are dealt with by the set screw on the outboard shaft headlight pivot end collar. To explain the piece in question, Zip sells it under #HDL-212 http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=HDL%2D212&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D2549%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D%2C63%2D67%20Headlights%20%26%20Lamps&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D875%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2C63%2D67%20Headlight%20Components&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D878%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CHeadlight%20Bucket%2C%20Pivots%20%26%20Supports&HSLB=False&mscssid=9594445DD6084C49BCD658C0739AC1AA

 

[Subfixer]

Thanks Bob. I am familiar with the end collar. I can see how the collar would limit the buckets from moving toward the center of the body. What limits the movement in the other direction (toward the outside of the body)? The splined limit stop collar?

I don't plan on removing or moving the screws on the up/down limit, just cleaning up the assembly. The splined portion is matchmarked to the pivot shaft, so I'll be able to get it back on the same spline alignment it originally had.

I didn't realize that there would be an issue squaring the bucket to the body lines. Doesn't look like there's that much slop in the mounting bolt holes.

 

[67HEAVEN]

The splined limit stop collar?

Yes.

I didn't realize that there would be an issue squaring the bucket to the body lines. Doesn't look like there's that much slop in the mounting bolt holes.

The first time I had them apart, I was surprised how much "angular" movement was possible. Although the holes are not large, there is sufficient room to tighten the bolts down in a position that keeps the bucket off square.

 

[IH2LOSE]

I was surprised how much "angular" movement was possible.

This is what makes it time consuming.

Once I had my side to side correct,I then taped across the front body seam and sort of spun/rotated the buckets to touch the tape.Then I un-rotated and tightened the bolts.

 

[Subfixer]

I can see that becoming a PITA..... having to spin the bucket to tighten the bolts without moving the bucket's position. I'm sure I'll have fun....

 

[67HEAVEN]

It's best done with the hood off, and with two people. Also, apply painters tape on all surfaces to protect things during assembly and adjustment.

I'd hate to think what it would cost to simply present at your local auto mechanic with a box full of parts (there's got to be well over a hundred) and a request for complete assembly on an hourly rate. By the time the mechanic finishes, he'll own your bank account and hate your mother.

 

[Subfixer]

It's best done with the hood off, and with two people. Also, apply painters tape on all surfaces to protect things during assembly and adjustment.

Body's off frame, hood is off and I have a lot of time to play with it. Maybe I can get the wife to help.....

 

[IH2LOSE]

Body's off frame, hood is off and I have a lot of time to play with it. Maybe I can get the wife to help.....

All kidding aside I cant ell you how many times my wife and kids have helped me on my car,Not just pretend helping,but actually removing screws while I am holding the door for my 62.

I can honest say I would be lost with out them.

Long story short,I am very methotical in the way I tear down a car,with the way I mark things and package it all.When I got my 66 I tore it down for a re-paint.I reassembled the car and could never ever get my front bumpers adjusted correctly. So one day I said I am going to remove them and then bend the bumpers brackets straight. So there I am in the driveway tearing the car apart and my wife said the brakets look like then go on eather side.I corrected her and showed her the marks of how they came off.She then corrected me and said they were always crooked and showed me the photo of the day I bought it and sure enought they were out of align then. I revered the brackets and sure enough she was correct. Never discount the wifes ability when thinking thru a problem