The Ford Barn

adavis · 03-17-2014, 01:42 PM

Does anyone know the differences between the 28-29 headlight bar and the 30-31 headlight bar? I am looking at an aftermarket bar but don't know for sure if it is for a 28-29 or 30-31. I'd like to know a measurement or something that I can check to verify if this will work on my '31 coupe. Thanks.

zrodimel · 03-17-2014, 01:53 PM

28-29 is straight in the middle. 30-31 has a slight curve across.
http://macsautoparts.com/model-a-for...0R3CHL1106130/
http://macsautoparts.com/model-a-for...0R3CHL1066473/

adavis · 03-17-2014, 01:56 PM

zrodimel...you beat me to it. I was just going to say that it looks like, in the pictures, that the 28-29 is straight whereas the 30-31 has a curve, but is that the only difference or are the bars different widths (from pad to pad)? If its just a curve/straight thing and either will fit my '31 then I'm good to go.

CarlG · 03-17-2014, 02:13 PM

Either one will fit your '31, but the 28-29 bar will set your lights up a couple inches higher and will "just look funny", (or at least that's what folks told me before I changed mine out for the correct one.) The picture in my avatar is a 28-29 bar on a 31.

adavis · 03-17-2014, 02:22 PM

CarlG, I assume you are talking stock bars, right? I definitely see the difference of height on stock bars but I'm looking at a dropped headlight bar, which should put the headlights lower than stock by a couple inches. However, if a stock 28-29 bar will fit a 30-31 then the same should go for the dropped version too, right?

CarlG · 03-17-2014, 02:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Snyder's lists a different dropped bar for 28-29 and 30-31. I don't know what the difference is, but if the stock bars would actually fit on either one, then why wouldn't the dropped bar? YMMV

adavis · 03-17-2014, 02:42 PM

That's exactly what I'm thinking, but I want to make sure before I buy this one. Its straight so I assume its 28-29.

Purdy Swoft · 03-17-2014, 04:13 PM

I've seen the 28-28 headlamp bars on 30-31 cars. They have to be spread at the bottom if the 28-29 bar is used on 30-31 cars and trucks. The angle is a little different where the bar bolts to the fender on the 28-29s I asked one guy how he did it and he told me that he used a porta power jack. Unless the bar has been spread at the bottom, don't expect a 28-29 bar to bolt right up on a 30-31.

26Tguy · 03-18-2014, 07:42 AM

Purdy is correct. The angle of the mounting flanges to the fenders is different between the 28-29 and the 30-31.

Will it bolt on? Yes. But, there will be a gap that will not close between each flange and fender that does not look correct.

adavis · 03-18-2014, 11:00 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. I figured it wasn't a simple bolt on deal. I'll stick with the 30-31 style.

03-17-2014, 01:42 PM	#1
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 294	Headlight bar differences.... Does anyone know the differences between the 28-29 headlight bar and the 30-31 headlight bar? I am looking at an aftermarket bar but don't know for sure if it is for a 28-29 or 30-31. I'd like to know a measurement or something that I can check to verify if this will work on my '31 coupe. Thanks.

03-17-2014, 01:53 PM	#2
zrodimel Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: IN Posts: 4	Re: Headlight bar differences.... 28-29 is straight in the middle. 30-31 has a slight curve across. http://macsautoparts.com/model-a-for...0R3CHL1106130/ http://macsautoparts.com/model-a-for...0R3CHL1066473/

03-17-2014, 01:56 PM	#3
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 294	Re: Headlight bar differences.... zrodimel...you beat me to it. I was just going to say that it looks like, in the pictures, that the 28-29 is straight whereas the 30-31 has a curve, but is that the only difference or are the bars different widths (from pad to pad)? If its just a curve/straight thing and either will fit my '31 then I'm good to go.

03-17-2014, 02:13 PM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Headlight bar differences.... Either one will fit your '31, but the 28-29 bar will set your lights up a couple inches higher and will "just look funny", (or at least that's what folks told me before I changed mine out for the correct one.) The picture in my avatar is a 28-29 bar on a 31. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-17-2014, 02:22 PM	#5
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 294	Re: Headlight bar differences.... CarlG, I assume you are talking stock bars, right? I definitely see the difference of height on stock bars but I'm looking at a dropped headlight bar, which should put the headlights lower than stock by a couple inches. However, if a stock 28-29 bar will fit a 30-31 then the same should go for the dropped version too, right?

03-17-2014, 02:36 PM	#6
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Headlight bar differences.... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Snyder's lists a different dropped bar for 28-29 and 30-31. I don't know what the difference is, but if the stock bars would actually fit on either one, then why wouldn't the dropped bar? YMMV __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-17-2014, 02:42 PM	#7
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 294	Re: Headlight bar differences.... That's exactly what I'm thinking, but I want to make sure before I buy this one. Its straight so I assume its 28-29.

03-17-2014, 04:13 PM	#8
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Headlight bar differences.... I've seen the 28-28 headlamp bars on 30-31 cars. They have to be spread at the bottom if the 28-29 bar is used on 30-31 cars and trucks. The angle is a little different where the bar bolts to the fender on the 28-29s I asked one guy how he did it and he told me that he used a porta power jack. Unless the bar has been spread at the bottom, don't expect a 28-29 bar to bolt right up on a 30-31.

03-18-2014, 07:42 AM	#9
26Tguy Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manvel, TX Posts: 53	Re: Headlight bar differences.... Purdy is correct. The angle of the mounting flanges to the fenders is different between the 28-29 and the 30-31. Will it bolt on? Yes. But, there will be a gap that will not close between each flange and fender that does not look correct.

03-18-2014, 11:00 AM	#10
adavis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 294	Re: Headlight bar differences.... Thanks everyone for your input. I figured it wasn't a simple bolt on deal. I'll stick with the 30-31 style.