Assembling 36 car headlights...?

[cajunfirehawk]

I have looked every place I can think to; here, HAMB, internet and other than vanpelts diagram, there is no detailed instructions about how to assemble the headlight assy for a 36 car. I am aware of all of the clips and how they go, problem I keep having is, when I go to assemble the chrome bezel/w.lens held in with clips I can't get it to mate up to the bucket correctly, I get the top portion under the clip on top then when I go to mate the lens and bucket up, the two small notches on each side of the bucket are a bear to get snapped under the trim ring, I can get one side snapped in and cannot for the life of me get the other side snapped under the lil tab, I can even secure the spring loaded latch on the bottom but still can't get but one tab under the bezel...see pics for clarity off what I am saying;

using these trim ring bezel lens retaining clips;

and this is the best I can get... hard to see the lil tabs..

Any suggestions?

[Brian]

The wire clips only hold the lens into the stainless surround. The reflector is positioned into the bucket by means of three flat spring things; these hook onto little tangs around back of reflectors rim, and the raised portion of each locates into three cutouts around the periphery of the bucket. Using all three of your hands, hold the reflector in place in bucket, lower the lens and surround down over the top clip, and push into place. Raise the bottom retainer/clip affair.

[Brian]

Maybe the bezels are distorted; do they fit the buckets without the lenses?

[deuce lover]

First check to see if the lens fits nicely in the ring.I then set it in my lap and start with one wire clip then go to the second while holding all together then the 3rd.A needle nose pliers helps getting the wire hooked into the lip of the ring also after one side is caught.Its good you have the correct clips as the repops are junk.

[cajunfirehawk]

Thanks for your input; I am doing what each of you gents suggested but for some reason still having issues, perhaps can it be the cork gasket material I have is too thick? And to make sure I have the bottom spring loaded latch in position correctly, the "J" part of bracket just fits into the cut out of the lens, it really don't clip around anything to fill the "U" part of the bracket does it? speaking about this bottom bezel retainer clip

[deuce lover]

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To me the cork that goes in the reflector groove or at least the cork(which was to thin) I got is junk.Some vendors have the square rubber replacement.Its much better.Yes the "J" goes in the relief of the lens.All goes together as it came apart if you can remember.If you have the original finger tabs - use those.The repops are of a thinner material.

[Karl Wescott]

Troubleshoot this out.


First, fit the rim to the body (no lens, no latch). Drake reproduction rims tend to be undersized and will not fit the body or the lens. Some bodies with sealbeams (1940-41 Truck, 1940-47 Cabover) look similar to the 1936 but tend to be slightly larger making fitting of the rim questionable.


Now add the latch (or latch it).


Now add the reflector... do things still all work.


Now the lens...


Now the lens clips and gasket...

[nickthebandit]

Try filing down the bumps at the side of the headlight bucket. Just a little so as not to have to loose a fit. I have assembled many 1936 Ford headlights, and sometimes I have to use a soft faced dead blow hammer at the side of the bucket where the bump is located. Just tap it gently so as not to dent the bucket.

[cajunfirehawk]

Thanks for the info!
Some notes; all parts are OE except the cork gasket material, ordered some of the rubber from Macs, will try the tips submitted and will advise, thanks.