1930 Headlight bar or not?

[Hster]

My tudor came with a headlight bar that has holes in the center to mount a license plate. I have only seen the headlight bars that are round and without holes between the headlights. The headlight latch interferes with the socket in the bar such that I can't rotate the head light down. The socket seems to be to large. Is this a correct Model A headlight bar?

[Bob C]

That headlight bar was used from May to August 1930. The headlights
may be reproduction, there was a thread awhile back with the same problem
and I think it was determined the reproduction latch was wrong.

Bob

[Hster]

Bob, I see your point, the latch is new and it may be a little long but it would have to be much much shorter.
This is my pickup with the early bar and the headlight socket is much smaller and has plenty of clearance.

[grantsauder]

Check that the headlight bar was not installed backwards This I know from experience. Grant

[harleytoprock]

Looking at your pictures, it appers that the socket is at the wrong angle. or maybe its just a photo illusion.

[Keith True]

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That bar does have a lot more meat in it than the normal design bars.That bar can not be installed backwards,the rear of it is open,and U-shaped.I have one on my pickup,I'll have a look and see if the headlight spuds are big like yours.I have a couple of light bars leaning on the wall next to it,so I'll be able to compare them.I didn't notice any problems mounting my lights.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree that the bar looks to be backwards. The flat part for the horn bracket should be on the left (driver's side) and facing the rear of the headlamp socket.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

The headlight bar is on correctly and the headlight appears to be repro. Also, the headlight appears to be aimed too far downward ( possibly to make up for the incorrect reflector).

[Tom Wesenberg]

Brent, In the second picture it does look like as you say when I tilt my screen to make the slant of the radiator more straight up and down, but in the first picture the headlamp looks like it sets horizontal and not aimed too low. Also in the first picture it looks like the license mounting slots are on the rear side, and shouldn't they be on the front side?

[Hster]

Originally Posted by Bob C

That headlight bar was used from May to August 1930.

Bob

Ford made this headlight bar for three months and then changed back to the design it replaced?

[Joe K]

It may be that the fat bar can be "rolled" forward within the limits of the bolting and clearance holes.

Loosen the bolts on the underside of the fender braces, roll forward to the limit of the clearance, and re-tighten.

I know on my 1929, this is possible.

Of course I rely on license plate clips and not a flat place made on the bar to keep my license plate vertical.

Joe K

[heneste]

The second picture does look like the headlight latch would have more clearance if the bar was reversed, as it looks like the mounting cup on the bar is offset towards the front more than the rear.

The third pic showing an original bar seems to have the mounting cup more centrally positioned on the bar.

[Hster]

This headlight bar is on correctly I would need to rebend the bar to make it fit another way. I'm thinking (smoke rising in the Pacific northwest) I will replace the headlight bar with the original or re-revision bar and be done with it. There is no requirement for a front plate with a Horseless Carriage plate in Washington.

Thanks all for your thoughts

[Keith True]

I just took a look at the light bar on my truck,it is that pressed tin style like you have.I had kind of forgotten how it is built.The spuds that hold the headlight are part of the pressed bar,not forged like the other types.They really are a lot thicker,they have to be,they are nowhere near as strong as the forged ones.They were only used a short time as they were prone to cracking.Mine was real nice,but it had a bunch of cracks around the spuds when I went to use it again.Mine has plenty of clearance though.I just like it because it is different.Same reason I am running a pair of galvanized engine pans.Everybody thinks I made them from old heating ducts,but they were just old JC Whitney repros.

[bikejunk]

Hey !!! I have galvanized engine pans!!! now I know where they come from (what era were they made?)

[Keith True]

This set came in a box with a shipping date of 1969.I have had others though,so I have no idea how long they were made like that or who actually made them.They are pretty cheezo.

[Hster]

Originally Posted by Bob C

The headlights
may be reproduction, there was a thread awhile back with the same problem
and I think it was determined the reproduction latch was wrong.

Bob

A day late and a dollar short
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...+headlight+bar