Changing headlight reflector in my 37 Ford

[dwaynec]

As can be seen from the attached photo my headlight reflectors are in somewhat less than fantastic shape. The bulbs work but no light reaches the road because of the very dull reflectors. So I ordered a set of reflectors and sockets from Bob Drake and am now trying to figure out how I change these things.

It looks to me like I have to remove the entire internal assembly from the bucket by disconnecting the headlight bullet connectors from the wiring harness and then removing the internal assembly by removing the adjuster screws and springs and then maneuvering everything out the front. Is that correct?

Once I get the reflectors out of the bucket is the actual reflector removed by just removing the bulbs or is there more to it?

Any suggestions you can give me would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks,

[Steve Staysko]

You could have had your original reflectors re-silvered.

http://www.realsteel.com/services/he...t-resilvering/

[petehoovie]

I don't recall having to remove any screws when I replaced the reflectors in my '37. Remove the bulbs, press tab to remove the reflector - there should be enough wire behind the reflector to allow you to pull it forward and remove the lamp sockets by twisting them out of the reflector....

[dwaynec]

Thanks Pete. I will give it a shot.

[petehoovie]

Are you replacing the sockets and wiring as well or just the reflector?

[swoopNZ]

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The tricky bit is removing the bulb then the light sockets.
Wear some gloves when twisting the bulb just in case it shatters.

[dwaynec]

OK. I got the reflectors and bulbs out. It is a good thing that I checked as the what appears to be 1937 wiring in the bucket was surely going to short before too long. When I ordered the reflectors I also ordered new sockets. Well,,, as is well known the reproduction stuff is of somewhat lower quality than the 1937 stuff. The reflectors aren't too bad but the sockets are pure JUNK. All of the wires from the sockets are black so you have to use an ohm meter to figure which wire goes to which socket. And the wires are too short to reach the connectors on the harness.

I guess that I am going to have to order some new sockets as I throw these junk ones in the trash.

Does anybody know where I can get some decent quality sockets?

BTW, the Drake reflectors are just a temp measure while I get my original reflectors re-silvered. Just something to let me use the car during the good weather.

[swoopNZ]

C&G used to sell the wires in the correct colours less the sockets.
Maybe you could re-use your original ones with the new wiring.

[dwaynec]

Thanks I will pursue that.

[39topless]

Originally Posted by swoopNZ

C&G used to sell the wires in the correct colours less the sockets.
Maybe you could re-use your original ones with the new wiring.

Great idea, or make your own wiring and use your originals. Then it's just the way you want it.

[Terry,OH]

If the original blub sockets are still good reuse them on new harness. Tyree will sell just the head light harness along with the bulb contacts inside the sockets. parking is BY, High is BG, leaving low beam as BR. If you cut some of the cloth covering off the old harness the colors are usually good.

[dwaynec]

Getting the bulbs out wasn't too bad. The parking lamps came right out and only one headlamp bulb gave me any trouble but even it wasn't bad. Same with the sockets. Parking sockets were easy and only one headlamp socket was a pain, but I got them out. Today I will try and rewire them. Soldering is not one of my strong suits but should be able to accomplish it.

Thanks for all the help.

[JSeery]

From #7 "BTW, the Drake reflectors are just a temp measure while I get my original reflectors re-silvered. Just something to let me use the car during the good weather."

[dwaynec]

As you can see from the photo my wires are in pretty tough shape. The wire with the green twisty on it looks to be green/black so must be for the high beam. The other wire does have kind of a pinkish/black look to it when it is wet.

What is that black thing that is on the low beam wire, and is it really required?

[Marvin/TN]

When soldering the wires in do not use acid core solder only rosin (spelling) core solder.

[Vanspeed]

I always try to keep the original sockets and just swap the wiring over from the new ones. I have done this numerous times with model A's as the reproduction sockets are pure garbage.

[dwaynec]

There is a local guy that has a pretty extensive cache of parts that is looking to see if he has the sockets and harness in stock. Hopefully I get lucky.

If I am not lucky Mac's has what looks to be the correct harness and sockets and according to their website even in stock. The Mac's part number is 32-19972-1 and claims to be a replacement for Ford part number 91A-13076 which according to the green book is what I need. If I have to I will try that.

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by dwaynec

OK. I got the reflectors and bulbs out. It is a good thing that I checked as the what appears to be 1937 wiring in the bucket was surely going to short before too long. When I ordered the reflectors I also ordered new sockets. Well,,, as is well known the reproduction stuff is of somewhat lower quality than the 1937 stuff. The reflectors aren't too bad but the sockets are pure JUNK. All of the wires from the sockets are black so you have to use an ohm meter to figure which wire goes to which socket. And the wires are too short to reach the connectors on the harness.

I guess that I am going to have to order some new sockets as I throw these junk ones in the trash.

Does anybody know where I can get some decent quality sockets?

BTW, the Drake reflectors are just a temp measure while I get my original reflectors re-silvered. Just something to let me use the car during the good weather.

Sent the reflectors for my Zephyr to Uvira Coatings in Washington. Had them Nickle plated before I sent them. Came back beautiful, and is more durable and less expensive than silver.