Head light focusing procedure

[James G.]

I'm finally convinced that my night time driving issue with my Tudor headlight must be focusing. I've cleaned the reflectors, checked the headlamp bulbs, all in excellent shape. Where can I find/get a copy of this steps/procedure? Any/all help greatly appreciated! Jim Gregory, GBMAFC

[Gary WA]

Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook Vol1 by Les Andrews sold on MAFCA or Model A Vendors Berts,Brattons etc.

[Gary WA]

may help?

[Ranchero50]

Ultimately take the car out to a dark section of abandoned road and adjust them there so you can see stop signs and the road in front of you. I do it at industrial areas.

[Dennisfly]

I believe it is also in the Model A instruction Book

[GMCPASO]

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It helps if it is a foggy night also.

[ryanheacox]

I don't think anyone has asked what reflectors you have? If they are the chromed ones then you may not be able to properly focus the bulbs no matter what you do.

[Kurt in NJ]

If you take the lens off, shine the light on a wall 25 feet away the property focused beam without the lens will look like this

[Badpuppy]

Originally Posted by Gary WA

may help?

The pics are from the Model A instruction book (owner's manual). Beam height is 33" for 28-29, 37" for 30-31 to agree with headlight center height.

[captndan]

Just loosen the nut on the bottom and point the lights wherever you want.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by captndan

Just loosen the nut on the bottom and point the lights wherever you want.

That will work for aiming the beam but it won't do anything for the focus.

[Will N]

Originally Posted by ryanheacox

I don't think anyone has asked what reflectors you have? If they are the chromed ones then you may not be able to properly focus the bulbs no matter what you do.

Ditto. The repros that were available were not the correct shape and you will never be able to focus them. Bratton's sells a new coated aluminized reflector that is made to the original blueprint, and these can be focused. Of course, so can originals where the silver is in good condition.

[29closedcabguy]

I was not able to focus my headlights or get as much light out of them as I felt they should produce. I tried everything even led bulbs. Finally I discovered I had the poorly designed crome reflectors. I installed the new aluminum reflectors and BOOM!!!! I now had actually high and low beam not just brighter on high beam. Also the original silver reflectors reflect 95% of the light, chrome reflectivity is only around 65%. The new polished aluminum is 90% reflective. I went from none focused 65% reflectivity to 90% focused lighting. The resulting outcome was like magic.

[ryanheacox]

Originally Posted by 29closedcabguy

I was not able to focus my headlights or get as much light out of them as I felt they should produce. I tried everything even led bulbs. Finally I discovered I had the poorly designed crome reflectors. I installed the new aluminum reflectors and BOOM!!!! I now had actually high and low beam not just brighter on high beam. Also the original silver reflectors reflect 95% of the light, chrome reflectivity is only around 65%. The new polished aluminum is 90% reflective. I went from none focused 65% reflectivity to 90% focused lighting. The resulting outcome was like magic.

Great! I was in the same boat as you, bought new Brattons reflectors and was blown away by the difference.

[Ranchero50]

Originally Posted by 29closedcabguy

I was not able to focus my headlights or get as much light out of them as I felt they should produce. I tried everything even led bulbs. Finally I discovered I had the poorly designed crome reflectors. I installed the new aluminum reflectors and BOOM!!!! I now had actually high and low beam not just brighter on high beam. Also the original silver reflectors reflect 95% of the light, chrome reflectivity is only around 65%. The new polished aluminum is 90% reflective. I went from none focused 65% reflectivity to 90% focused lighting. The resulting outcome was like magic.

That was the problem I found with LED's. The light emitter wasn't at the same spot as the Halogens so the focus was way off.

[Steve Rinaldo]

How do you tell if you have silvered, chrome or aluminum reflectors? Thanks, Steve