Headlights... ugh...

Fat Dave · Member

Headlights... ugh...

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Isn't that part of the aiming mechanism?

Fat Dave · Member

I thought so in the first place, but I'm not sure I see how it would work since the light frame is screwed in place anyway. Perhaps I won't 'EFF' with it too seriously.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I know the springs are a pain in the neck bleh

but don't throw it away. It provides tension needed for proper aimig and snugging the ring and pot. The problem is that the spring has lost some of "sprung" over the years. If you got a new set it might go easier.

Fat Dave · Member

Yeah, it's a little rusty & stiff... so I'll just deal with it & replace it a little later on... when I'm not ripping the front-end of a Pontiac on the frosty pavement in the middle of the parking lot of a suburban condo development.

I long for a garage... 3-cars wide... heated floor... and all the trimmings.

gparis7 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

You need the spring for the reasons mentioned. Just use a small pair of long nosed vice grips; get a good grip on the end of the spring and pull it out slowly about a quarter of an inch. Be careful, and I suggest eye protection.

SD 396 · Poncho Master!

Why are you removing the headlight bucket to change the headlight? You should be able to remove the 3 screws that hold the ring and just change the light. You can actually get away with only removing 2 screws. If you can't get the screws out I can see why you would do this but there is no other reason to do it this way.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

On some of them, the spring goes through a small opening in the chrome ring around the headlight. I am guessing his must be one of those.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

SD 396 wrote:

Why are you removing the headlight bucket to change the headlight? You should be able to remove the 3 screws that hold the ring and just change the light. You can actually get away with only removing 2 screws. If you can't get the screws out I can see why you would do this but there is no other reason to do it this way.

It's a 1965, the system you describe was not used. In 65 once you remove the retaining screws on the trim ring you have no choice but to remove the spring because it is attached to the trim ring and pot. It is just like Carl says. It is a real excercise in patience dealing with that system. 65 Camino just did his headlights and I helped. We feel your pain Fat Dave.

beaumontguru · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

There is a special "hook" tool that is made for this.
I just use a curved pick tool, grab the spring and pull straight out. this relives the tension so you can unhook the headlight ring. Also for install, pull the sprring out all the way and the ring will just pop in.
i fight with my 64's, but a thin pick tool does the job with ease.
Correct, the spring holds tension on the aiming mechanism, whatever you do, DO NOT remove or discard the spring, it will make thing way worse.

I think in 66 or maybe 67 was the first year where it went to 3 screws and no spring, way easier on my 67 beaumonts

-- Edited by beaumontguru at 23:12, 2008-11-09

macsleuth · Guru

oh man I remember fighting with those springs....
No fun, but easiest was to get a good grip on it and pull straight out.
Wish I would've thought to use a hooked tool, probably would have saved a few pops to the face when losing grip while pulling.
Certainly made new swear words when that happened.
Of course, my brother-in-law laughed his ass off...