The Ford Barn

LizardsA · 02-24-2022, 11:02 AM

I am struggling with fitting headlamp buckets to the headlamp crossbar on my 1928 RPU. The problem is that the "cups" on the crossbar that hold the headlamps are not tilted as they are on a 1930/31 headlamp crossbar. The result is that when fastening the headlamp buckets to the bar, the lamps end up pointing upwards with no adjustment available. I have attached a more detailed picture of what I am experiencing. And yes, I have tried turning the crossbar around in case it was mounted back-to-front, with no change in the problem.

nkaminar · 02-24-2022, 11:46 AM

Something is not right. Are you trying to mount 30/31 buckets to a 28/29 bar? Is the bar bent? Can you mount a 30/31 bar to the car? Can you bend the 28/29 bar? Are other 28/29 bars the same or is yours unique?

jw hash · 02-24-2022, 12:23 PM

somewhere along the years someone made those flat head light bars so you could install different head lights on them. I have two of them, one of them i painted up and did not notice the angle until i went to install it.

Ruth · 02-24-2022, 12:37 PM

I was going to suggest that maybe you have the headlight bar on backwards. I have seen it happen but that does not appear to be in your case.

1931 flamingo · 02-24-2022, 01:15 PM

X2.
Paul in CT

JC60B · 02-24-2022, 02:50 PM

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Is the bolt head seized to the bucket? I thought there was some movement there to adjust.

Synchro909 · 02-24-2022, 04:33 PM

I'm following this one - the headlights on my '30 CCPU point downwards so that I can barely see the light on the ground from he driver's seat when on low beam. I haven't been able to correct it yet. I'm wondering if the reflectors have been put in the buckets upside down. That is clearly not the OP's problem but I'm watching.

mercman from oz · 02-24-2022, 05:25 PM

LizardsA is struggling fitting headlamp buckets to the headlamp crossbar on his 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup

JC60B · 02-24-2022, 05:38 PM

My 29 tilts forward like the 30 you show. I thought 28 and 29 were same.

LizardsA · 02-24-2022, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Something is not right. Are you trying to mount 30/31 buckets to a 28/29 bar? Is the bar bent? Can you mount a 30/31 bar to the car? Can you bend the 28/29 bar? Are other 28/29 bars the same or is yours unique?

No, the buckets are definitely '28/'29 - they are the pointed at the back, not rounded like '30/'31

The bar is perfectly straight

I will check on the distance between the fenders and compare with my "30 Sport Coupe. I'll report back later

I'm not sure about the bar if it is different to other '28/'29 bars, I was hoping someone on this forum could help with that

LizardsA · 02-24-2022, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC60B

Is the bolt head seized to the bucket? I thought there was some movement there to adjust.

The bolts are not seized, there is freedom of movement on both buckets

nkaminar · 02-25-2022, 07:50 AM

Others have indicated that your bar is different than theirs. Some have said that the bars that are flat at the sockets are for different buckets, not Model A.

LizardsA · 02-25-2022, 01:34 PM

Ok folks, solution found! The bar appears to have been modified somewhere in its past. One of our club members kindly brought me a standard headlight bar, and lo and behold, the cups are tilted forward as one would expect, and the headlamp buckets fit perfectly.
Thanks to all who offered the usual good advice.
Mike in Johannesburg, South Africa

Dennis Pereira · 02-25-2022, 02:07 PM

That's great problem solved.

mercman from oz · 02-25-2022, 04:53 PM

My 29 tilts forward like the 30 you show. JC60B

02-24-2022, 11:46 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Headlamp bucket question Something is not right. Are you trying to mount 30/31 buckets to a 28/29 bar? Is the bar bent? Can you mount a 30/31 bar to the car? Can you bend the 28/29 bar? Are other 28/29 bars the same or is yours unique? __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-24-2022, 12:23 PM	#3
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Headlamp bucket question somewhere along the years someone made those flat head light bars so you could install different head lights on them. I have two of them, one of them i painted up and did not notice the angle until i went to install it.

02-24-2022, 12:37 PM	#4
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: Headlamp bucket question I was going to suggest that maybe you have the headlight bar on backwards. I have seen it happen but that does not appear to be in your case. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

02-24-2022, 01:15 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Headlamp bucket question X2. Paul in CT

02-24-2022, 02:50 PM	#6
JC60B Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada Posts: 85	Re: Headlamp bucket question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Is the bolt head seized to the bucket? I thought there was some movement there to adjust.

02-24-2022, 04:33 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Headlamp bucket question I'm following this one - the headlights on my '30 CCPU point downwards so that I can barely see the light on the ground from he driver's seat when on low beam. I haven't been able to correct it yet. I'm wondering if the reflectors have been put in the buckets upside down. That is clearly not the OP's problem but I'm watching.

02-24-2022, 05:25 PM	#8
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,376	Re: Headlamp bucket question LizardsA is struggling fitting headlamp buckets to the headlamp crossbar on his 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup

02-25-2022, 07:50 AM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Headlamp bucket question Others have indicated that your bar is different than theirs. Some have said that the bars that are flat at the sockets are for different buckets, not Model A. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-25-2022, 01:34 PM	#13
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Re: Headlamp bucket question Ok folks, solution found! The bar appears to have been modified somewhere in its past. One of our club members kindly brought me a standard headlight bar, and lo and behold, the cups are tilted forward as one would expect, and the headlamp buckets fit perfectly. Thanks to all who offered the usual good advice. Mike in Johannesburg, South Africa

02-25-2022, 02:07 PM	#14
Dennis Pereira Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Georgetown Divide Kelsey ca Posts: 868	Re: Headlamp bucket question That's great problem solved. __________________ Dennis in Kelsey ca

02-25-2022, 04:53 PM	#15
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,376	Re: Headlamp bucket question My 29 tilts forward like the 30 you show. JC60B