37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

I replaced a headlight bulb in my 37 Cabriolet and when I took the lens off I found it had a cork seal that was never glued and had shrunk to the point of not sealing. Looking on C&Gs website I see they list a gasket that looks like the one I have which is not joined at the ends (unspecified material) and they also list a rubber one that appears to be joined at the ends. Which one is correct and are they glued on?

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

C&G also sells the gasket retainer. Rubber gaskets almost always outlast the cork variety

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

I put spray glue on the cork gasket and gently tuck it into the reflector, making sure the ends are at the bottom to allow for drainage

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

Unless I have forgotten the days of owning a 1937, there are 2 gaskets for the headlights. The rubber one goes between the headlight bucket and fender, and the square cork one is for the sealing of the glass lens and the headlight bucket.

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

Rubber gaskets can cause tarnishing of the silvering--- sulfur in the rubber

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

I believe that Bruce's counsel is correct regarding the use of two different gaskets. Using glue on the cork gasket for the reflector strikes me as a way to seriously accelerate the tarnishing of the silver plating on the reflector (as glues give off gases when drying).


Kurt,


When installed properly, the reflector is not exposed to the rubber gasket. It is only exposed to the cork gasket, hence my comment about using glue on the cork gasket.

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

Thank you David. I figured if anyone had an answer it would be you. I appreciate you knowledge and willingness to help. Thank you sir.

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

You're welcome!

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

I looked in the parts book, the reflector cork gasket is same part number as A, and 36, I haven't used glue on them for the cork, one way it fits tight, needs to be gently tucked in, --- don't know if it works that way with repro parts though

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

Kurt,


As with all reproductions, there are those that fall short and others that are accurate. In that regard, you raised a good point earlier as one of the reproductions of the cork gaskets is made of a mixture of cork and rubber particles. For the reason that you mentioned, those are to be avoided as all cork ones are out there and they're dimensions are accurate.

Re: 37 headlight gaskets (David G?)
 

You can seal the cork to make it longer-lasting by coating both sides with a coat of shellac. The shellac will make the cork a little less compressible but I would rather opt for making it longer lasting and more water resistant. Once dry, the shellac will not harm anything.

I know its from the 1950's but I use shellac to hold and seal other cork gaskets i.e. thermostat housings and fuel pumps. Easy to remove and clean off when changing gaskets.