VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Rebuilding Headlamp Assembly on 1929

started working on my headlamp assembly for my 1929. broke it all down, took it all apart to see what i have, and what i need.

I ordered a set of New Trim Rings, but looking at the Headlamp Clamp Ring, mine are a little rusty on the lower end, can they just be blasted, then primed and painted or were they coated or bare metal ?? want them to last

looks like the PO put in NEW pigtails, so should be good to go there.
Know the Headlamp replacement bulbs are Type 1000 or Mazda 1110
but what about the parking bulb ?? that the #55 Bulb ??

plan on blasting the buckets, bar, and hardware, then priming and painting gloss black. Based on conversations here this is correct color for the 1929, only the Rings are Chrome ?!

the lens are in great shape, but also have a NOS set on the bench !!

You can use your best judgement and apply the type of finish on the clamp rings that you prefer. The clamp rings were originally bare metal.

Thanks JY Dog

I just want to clean them up and protect them somehow from future corrosion. may just blast prime, and then paint them with a metal color/ look so they LOOK like bare metal but are sealed and protected more so then true bare metal.

Sounds like a good idea. I knew that you would come up with a solution.

Any thoughts or input on the Correct Bulb ?

The parking bulb link goes nowhere. What is your plan for directionals in front?

The first "parking bulb" link does not work but the second "parking bulb" link in the post above works fine.

Both links work fine here.
These are the bulbs in his photo link.

so are the replacements #55 single contact single filament bulbs for parking lights ?!?
and these are the Parking light Bulbs INSIDE the Headlamp Reflector, lower hole under the Headlamp Bulb

The parking lights in the headlight reflector are in the upper hole above the headlight bulb.....not below the headlight bulb.

guess the PO put the reflectors in upside down :!

nothing new there

Instead of going by what the previous owner did, always check your manuals for the correct information. Your owner's manual shows the correct location of the parking light bulb.

ok guys

got the buckets, rings, and crossbar back from paint :) going to start working on rebuilding the headlamps. pulled the information from the MPPL, IOC, & Repair Manual. None of them provide detailed information on HOW to put together the headlamp assembly correctly, other that the color of bucket is Black and the Rim is Chrome, and note that the parking light is ABOVE the headlamp.The PO did not have them assembled correctly as I have learned. so I am going on what looks like the proper way to assemble and install.

I will first BUILD the headlamp assembly, then once i have both done move onto installing them on the bar :)

I have for assembly:

• Reflector x2 (Redone by Uvira)
• Pigtail 3-way x2 (New from TFS)
• Bucket x2 (stripped, primed, and painted Gloss Black)
• Clamp x2 (stripped and primed)
• Bulbs 1110 x2 (High/Low beam)
• Bulbs #55 x2 (Parking Light)
• Gaskets/Seals x2 (New Cork Style from TFS)
• Lens x2 (Have NOS plus originals which are worn -> road blasted) pict is of old
• Rims x2 (New from TFS) pict is of old

Here is my Plan of Action:

install the Pigtail into the reflector
...install headlamp socket in center of reflector w/ 2 wires secure w/spring clamp, parking lamp socket above headlamp w/ 1 wire secure w/spring clamp, left hanging is main connector w/ 3 wires
install reflector into bucket
...install main connector (left hanging above) into bucket, and secure (bend tab over into place)
???which way is up on connector or only goes one way or not relevant ???
...use tabs and slots to install and secure
...ensure parking lamp is above headlamp !!
install clamp ring around bucket and reflector
...ensure hardware is at bottom of assembly and do NOT over tighten
???are these one way install or can they be installed either way flip front to back ???
install bulbs into sockets in reflector
...test bulbs to ensure they work and function correctly
install seal/gasket
...use notch to align properly
install lens
...install with prism side IN and text "TOP" legible from front top outside
install rim
...seat and secure rim to bucket
...ensure gasket is seated, lens secure

repeat for other headlamp assembly

I am not certain on this, due to that mine were not truly assembled when i got it, assume the gasket goes between reflector and lens to seal out moisture ?? could be wrong on the location ?!?

Are the #55 bulbs comparable to #63? The #63 are correct. If you are not in a hurry I have some assembled headlights that I could open up to get some pictures to clarify the assembly.

#63 maybe correct, I have notes for #55 and another note for #63
one of the reasons I am asking BEFORE i start

I am in no rush, hope to get to these this weekend !! going to pick up the rest of my parts from paint tomorrow !!

#55 Miniature Bulb Ba9s Base (9mm .35" base)- 7.0 Volt .41 Amp 2.87 Watt G4-1/2 Filament
#63 Miniature Bulb Ba15S Base (15mm .59" base) - 7.0 Volt 0.63 Amp 4.41 Watt G-6 Filament

both are single contact, dual pins, inline

I know the #63 are three candlepower. The amp draw for the #55 indicates it is not as bright so while they will light they might be better suited to interior lights.
Regards
Just found specs and #55 is 2 candlepower so does not have brightness of #63. I would only use #55 for interior if at all.

I will measure when i get a chance, since one is 9mm and the other 15mm no way they interchange :) which is good to know

also got my Headlamp Bar back from paint last night !!

getting ready for assembly just need validation of assembly of the parts for the actual headlamp noted in Post 423160 & 423164

here are a few shots of the buckets as well, they were painted black in the paint batch...

Lots of nice looking paint-just be sure to maintain a good ground circuit.

agreed, that i will have to do for sure as I DO not want to end up with dim lights or no lights

any recommendations or suggestions on best place to remove paint to keep them grounded securely ?

Pictures of wiring and sockets inside. Looks pretty simple. Also a pic of the lens/gasket/retainer arrangement. First picture is socket in the bucket. The second is the reflector with the parking lamp to the left and headlight bulb socket to the right. The third picture shows lens in first followed by paper gasket then retaining ring. This is one of a pile of original lights I have collected.
Hope it helps.

Thanks for the pictures, looks like lens is against the reflector/bucket then gasket on top of that between lens and chrome rim ??

ok so looking at GROUNDING headlamps
the socket housings are ground for the bulbs
they are grounded to the reflectors via contact 7 spring clips that hold them in place against back of housing
reflector contacts the housing via contact & clamp ring
housing is grounded to the headlight cross bar via contact (threaded stud into nut)
cross bar is grounded to the fender via contact and hardware (nuts n bolts)
Fenders grounded to frame via contact & hardware (nuts & bolts)

do stanchions provide grounding via contact to fenders & then to frame ??

if you use rubber pads under the crossbars does it reduce the grounding to fenders or about the same due to paint ??

is this about right or am i missing something, as there is no ground wire to the headlamps only metal chassis ground

I may be wrong but I believe the gasket is between the lens and the reflector. I would wait for someone else to post before installing but I think the gasket seals out the water/moisture from the bulb. As far as the ground goes I would suggest just doing a test for continuity from the socket to frame. Whether paint or pads both will affect the ground. Once it's all assembled minus the lens you can check the ground as above. If there is a problem then check in the sequence as you posted above.