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05-07-2013, 08:08 PM | #1 |
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Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Ref 1935.....I have tried and tried to install the after market lens retaining clips I got from Mac's (p/n 48-13061-S) which hold the headlite lens in the trim ring...
Whats the secret?? I am afraid I will break the lens in the process, they seem to tall for the job..and don't match up to the one original that I still have. Can someone offer a suggestion of how the got them to fit or know a source for ones that do fit?? Thanks, Jim
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05-08-2013, 07:10 AM | #2 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
The aftermarket clips I have seen were like what you describe...taller than the OEM ones, making it a challenge to get them to work.
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05-08-2013, 09:19 AM | #3 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
I had to get originals and toss out the Mac's retainers on my 39 pickup.
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05-08-2013, 06:12 PM | #4 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
I'm having the same issues replacing the sealed beams on my 36 with the original glass lenses. I'm going to take them with me to the next V8 club meeting, hopefully a meeting of the minds will help.
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05-08-2013, 06:19 PM | #5 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Oh, I was told clips were no longer available to hold sealed beams in. I got my car with duct tape holding the beams which led me to go back the the original lenses. I like the original look better anyway.. my point, after getting clips for the glass lenses I found they hold the sealed beams perfectly!!
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05-08-2013, 08:38 PM | #6 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
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05-08-2013, 10:33 PM | #7 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Earlier today, I did exactly as Gary has stated, modify the shape of these newer replacments by streaching them out which lowered thier profile and still maintain a snug fit.
I only distroyed two before I figured it out............. Jim
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05-09-2013, 08:22 AM | #8 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
At the top center of the clip where it comes to a point in a "V' shape.....does the "V" point down to the lens or face up?
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05-09-2013, 08:25 AM | #9 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
.....actually more like an elongated "U" about 3/8" wide.
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05-09-2013, 09:06 AM | #10 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
It faces down toward the lens and rests in a notch area in the lens perimeter.
First picture is the new repro and the second is my original clip Hopes this helps, Jim
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05-09-2013, 08:51 PM | #11 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
My grandfather had a saying that I heard many times growing up. When something he was working on became stubborn he would say "The SOB (only he would say the real thing) that invented this should have died before he thought of it."
Forward 60 years or so.... I was working with these same retainers from Mac's for my `35 Cabriolet and my wife was helping me. After several attempts without me saying a word my wife said. "I agree with your grandfather." I broke up laughing so hard. We eventually got them installed. Hopefully the next owner will put them in the next time.
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05-10-2013, 06:08 AM | #12 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
I gave up on any of the aftermarket ones looooong ago.
Office Depot - small "binder clips". Pop the 2 tangs out of the black part. With 2 needle nose pliers bend them out from the joint just below the top of the clip. Then bend the tangs down a little to fit flush into the rim. Nice an "springy" and a custom fit. |
03-20-2017, 08:46 PM | #13 |
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Location: Spring Hill, Kansas
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Following a frustrating afternoon attempting to assembly my headlights, I went to "The Barn." Thanks to this thread, the job is done. And a special thanks to Tom Morookian's "binder clip" fix. It works perfectly.
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03-21-2017, 05:07 AM | #14 | |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Quote:
Thank you.
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03-21-2017, 06:51 AM | #15 | |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Quote:
On my digital SLR I use a +1 or 2 aux lens and a tripod. |
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03-23-2017, 08:52 AM | #16 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Great suggestion, Tom. Thanks.
John
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03-27-2017, 03:21 AM | #17 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Could someone please enlighten me on where I might find the retaining clip that protrudes through the top slot of the headlight bucket for the headlight rim to hold on to on a '35-'36? I've seen the same type of clip listed in several aftermarket catalogues, but for '28-'29,'30-'31,'32, and '33-'34 models only. Regards, Mick.
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03-28-2017, 02:17 AM | #18 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
I usually get some .025" piano wire and make my own
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03-29-2017, 05:59 AM | #19 |
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Here's a couple of pictures that will hopefully display the type of clip I am chasing.
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03-29-2017, 06:30 AM | #20 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
I had a number of bags of the aftermarket ones with a few projects I acquired. I was working on a 1932 headlight and opened up a pack of springs and way too strong and chipped the glass when taking it off. I opened another package and bent into a weird configuration .
I have been in the spring and wire form industry for over 20 years . I was hoping to use up stuff just sitting collecting dust and space . So I did that by throwing the packages away and making some tooling for a kick press . I made mine out of .062 302 stainless spring wire that we have cut offs from Motorola antennas and worked great. I am tempted to call macs and give the a quote for springs So what's the wire form they sell for universal fit ?
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03-29-2017, 09:41 AM | #21 | |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Quote:
Don't expect to make a whole lot of money though, you will find that most restorers/street rodders tend to buy cheap random quality (china) rather than paying for top quality stuff. You will likely never recover your tooling costs at shop rates. However if the tooling time counts as hobby time you could have a nice little side business. Mac's is a volume seller, however they tend to stay with what sells (see above), and the general resistance to change (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). You initial market will likely be the more onesey twosey purchases from smaller more personally orientated resellers such as All Ford, C&G, Roy Nacewicz, etc, ourselves included. If you do the Model A clips Snyders and Brattons among others will pay for and sell quality. Be wary of copying someone else's reproductions... to often they made an error. Search out and find NOS for examples, then double check that they are right. Research the parts books for interchanges. Watch this forum for where people have issues... another clip demand is for body side and grille moldings, the available ones tend to be too hard for easy installation and will often break. The little clips that hold the sheetmetal upholstery covered door opening trim 1935-40 is not reproduced (yet... hint... hint...), and this might be the breakthrough part that Mac's might pick up where they would not consider changing suppliers for the lens clips otherwise. Good luck and have fun |
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03-29-2017, 06:19 PM | #22 |
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Re: Headlight Lens Retaining Clips
Karl, we have made small lots of springs 50 pcs to 500,000 for Ford GM and Chrysler . Along with a number of companies using small runs of Porto type items. Unfortunately none of them products in manufacturing has a good markup anymore. I have done just a dozen for guys working on inventions and such as well as . I don't mind helping guys in need and I can help. I do know dealing with some companies it's very hard to get to the folks that make that decision to change and fix issues . It's just a shame to buy a restoration product and it doesn't work at all or needs to be reworked.
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