Installing cowl lights

[PaddyR]

I am installing cowl lights on a 1931 Model A Ford pickup. The mounting brace was installed by the factory with the hole drilled to accept the cowl lamp arm.
The gas tank/cowl clamp is preventing me from positioning the cowl light wood block in the mounting brace. Does the gas/cowl clamp need to be removed to slide the wood block into position? And then replaced. Anyone who has installed cowl lights please advise.

[Phil Brown]

Just loosen the clamp and reposition it where the clamp and cowl light / block all fit. The clamps don't have an exact location for installation as far as I know

[PaddyR]

I thought that might be the solution ~ new territory for me. Thanks for
confirming.

[Bob Bidonde]

The wood block fits between the bracket (AKA Strainer) inside of the cowl and cowl skin panel. Its purpose is to prevent bending the internal bracket while tightening the arm attachment nut. The block has a hole in it for the cowl light arm to pass through. I am not sure that the block is original equipment.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

The wood block fits between the bracket (AKA Strainer) inside of the cowl and cowl skin panel. Its purpose is to prevent bending the internal bracket while tightening the arm attachment nut. The block has a hole in it for the cowl light arm to pass through. I am not sure that the block is original equipment.

Bob - my unmolested '30 Town Sedan has blocks. In the case of PaddyR's 31 PU, unless he has a pretty rare Deluxe PU, I'm not sure that cowl lights were original with or without blocks.

[Bob Bidonde]

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JayJaY, thanks for the info re the blocks.

[PaddyR]

I need help ~ I drilled the hole through the cowl as directed. Used the cutting tool offered by Bratton's. The tool did a very good job, however, the the cowl arm, lights, do not line up correctly. No wiggle room to adjust the angle of the light. Did Ford use a rubber grommet on the 30-31 installation of the cowl light arm? Any help here is appreciated.

[J Franklin]

No gromet was used. Can you post a photo of the problem?

[CarlG]

Ford may not have used a grommet or washer, but I had make one out of PVC in order for my cowl lights to have any semblance of facing forward.

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Ford may not have used a grommet or washer, but I had make one out of PVC in order for my cowl lights to have any semblance of facing forward.

You must have used the repros made by Vintique. They pint outward, making the car look walleyed. Get a set of originals and have them rechromed.