|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
04-03-2012, 12:56 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 72
|
Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Has anyone else had an issue fitting the repro lenses to their original buckets?
I called and spoke with a rep. at Drake's today, and he said they are cast a little too thick at the edge, and sometimes need "grinding down". Well, I'm glad my cousin is a glazier, and has the equipment to remove the material without mangling my new lenses. I compared them to my (cracked) originals, and the repro. lenses definitely have at least another 1/8" of glass buildup around the edges, maybe more at top and bottom. Combine that with thick lens to bucket sealing gaskets, and it's nearly impossible to get them to seat right, and fit the stainless ring over the whole deal. Wish me luck. I'm beginning to lose my romance with the '39 headlights. Thoughts of sticking '40 sealed beam assemblies in have crossed my mind a few times, this week. |
04-03-2012, 06:33 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Odessa, FL
Posts: 7,611
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
I love the look of our '39's "tear drop" headlights but for practical night driving purposes I installed a set of "road lamps" with high and low beams. Now when we drive at night I can see the road ahead for a good distance. Fortunatly, the original lens are good in our '39 so I kept the "tear drops".
__________________
Imagination is more important than knowledge. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
04-03-2012, 09:35 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Novelty, Ohio
Posts: 136
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
I bought clear lenses and Halogen conversions for my 39 std. and I had to do some grinding around the edges before they would fit. Paul Selfe.
|
04-03-2012, 02:29 PM | #4 | |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 72
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Quote:
What did you use to grind down the material? And how far down did you go? I guess I can just match the relative thickness of the original lenses that I have. I'm thinking I can rely on my cousin's big belt/wet sander that he uses to radius and bevel tempered glass. |
|
04-03-2012, 03:56 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 9,010
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
I am certain Drakes catalog said you had to grind them to make them fit (sarcasm). Just one more reason I won't deal with them.
Tell me, anyone, why would they continue to sell something they KNOW is crap? More sarcasm... |
04-03-2012, 06:05 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 72
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
And I'm grateful for much of the hard-to-find parts that do fit just fine, that Drake has been making for years, now. It's just been an uphill battle with my car to get the '39 headlights all together. It had those hideous sealed beam conversions on it, when I bought it, and I've pieced together everything needed, the hard way. The new lenses were going to be the icing on the cake. And I'm just getting impatient with yet another speed bump. |
04-04-2012, 10:40 AM | #7 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Jersey, The Garden State
Posts: 98
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
How hard is it to find decent originals? I ask because I have a '39 and really like the original headlights also.
|
04-04-2012, 11:54 AM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Novelty, Ohio
Posts: 136
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Quote:
|
|
04-04-2012, 01:10 PM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: near Washington, DC
Posts: 559
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Quote:
John R. |
|
04-04-2012, 01:31 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Winnsboro, Texas
Posts: 463
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
Vic, I would also like to know where you got the driving lights.
Charles @ [email protected] |
04-04-2012, 02:10 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Odessa, FL
Posts: 7,611
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
I got the road lamps from Harris Custom Design/Rodtiques in Rockland, MA, the phone number is: 617-605-4165. Ask for Dave Harris, he has them in both 6 & 12 volts and they are high & low beam units. They are 7" road lamps, I have a set on our '39 LZ as well.
__________________
Imagination is more important than knowledge. |
04-04-2012, 02:42 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 72
|
Re: Drake '39 DeLuxe headlight lenses issue
They're out there. I got a pair at a swap meet for $40, but then discovered they had some harline cracks going vertically from the top edge, down. Probably overtightened in the past. They also are considerably discolored, compared to the new repops that I got from Drake.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|