VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1929 Headlamp Trim Ring Tab

question does this tab:

1- get bent over like it is to hold the lens in, or what does it hold in if bent over

2- should this tab be straight up and down

3- how should this tab be

does this tab mate or insert to anything else (the bucket/reflector assembly)

The tab sticks up straight to index with the notch in the glass lens to prevent it from rotating. Does not get bent over.

great, thanks
does it line up and go into the slot in the bucket/reflector ??

sorry, seems nothing was put together correctly originally on the car, so trying to put it back together correctly.

I had that rim lying around. I suspect it engages in the slot in the reflector as well. I'd have to get out one of the boxes of headlights and check an assembled one to be 100%.

almost seems logical it would, seems like no other reason for bucket and reflector to have the notch to form a slot

seems like it may serve as a key, line everything up and keep everything from turning

if that is the case, seems that you would have to line that up first when putting the ring, lens, gasket assembly onto the bucket, reflector assembly. then snap the top of the ring into place over the reflector & bucket.

When I assembled the headlights for my 1930, I installed everything in the trim ring first and then installed the entire unit on the headlight bucket assembly.

what parts are in your 'headlight bucket assembly'

The normal parts.....the headlight bucket itself, the wiring pigtail and the reflector.

Thanks JYDog.... trying to make sure i am doing this right and the best way. seems like something is not right, other than me.

i lay then lens in the trim ring, drop in the gasket, then does not seem like the Headlamp Clamp Ring fits in there, like either the gasket is too thick and not allowing it to go or the trim is not tall enough, but looks the same as factory.

i lay then lens in the trim ring, drop in the gasket, then does not seem like the Headlamp Clamp Ring fits in there, like either the gasket is too thick and not allowing it to go or the trim is not tall enough, but looks the same as factory.

trim ring face down

lens in face down (prism to the inside, raised ring/lip to outside, text legible from front)

close up of glass in trim ring, looking through slot

gasket installed

close up of glass & gasket in trim ring, looking through slot

does the retaining ring go lip down like this

or does retaining ring go lip up like this

It is really hard to tell from the photos, but from what I see in the photos it looks like your cork gasket is too thick. The original gasket was cardboard.

Thanks JYDog, when i get home i will measure the thickness , i picked them up from The Filling Station.

think i may have the original paper ones i pulled out, have to look

Which way should the retaining rings go, looking at the flat lip/edge on them, does that go up or down,
see photos below...

Which way do you think the retaining ring would do the best job to hold the lens and the gasket in place?

think i may have figured it out.... or at least i hope.

temporarily together till the bulbs come in

went flat edge lip up, allows the other edge to slip in between the lens and trim ring

is this the correct gap and configuration when fully assembled ??

Originally, the flat edge goes down against the lens gasket to give it pressure and support against the lens.

No!

well there is always a chance when i install the bulbs for testing as i am still waiting for the new bulbs to arrive, so they are coming back apart anyways

also the TFS Cork Gasket is .12 thick cork, the paper one i have was also .12 thick.

I had the same problem. The old gasket was about 1/8" and compressed from time, however, TFS gasket being new and fully 1/8" made the assembly difficult. When fully assembled there will be no gap between the chrome rings and the bucket. I cannot find any pictures, but it was a struggle to fit everything. One problem was that the remanufactured rim was a little small. I had to return one because it did not work. I used one of the ones I got from you and it looks great.

tinkered with the gasket and flipped the retaining ring... if i flip the retaining ring that seems to solve the problem. the gasket seems a little thick for the New Trim Rings and NOS Glass combo. 

going to pick up some gasket material today 1/16", 3/32", and 1/8" and play with making custom gaskets this weekend for the headlamps. current material is 1/8" thick

goal for the weekend... figure this thing out and get them ready for the bulbs when they come in, still hoping that the supplier gets them in and ships them today so that i have them next week !!  hoping