The Ford Barn

swoopNZ · 10-13-2022, 05:02 PM

Were the glass headlamp lens the same for LHD and RHD cars or was there a difference to allow for dipping the light away from oncoming traffic ?
Thanks,
Chris.NZ.

ford38v8 · 10-13-2022, 05:15 PM

Chris, to be clear, you’re asking about 3 different lenses, 78; 81A; and 91A. Each was used in pairs on both left and right headlight buckets of their respective Ford models ‘37; ‘38; ‘39 Standard; ‘39 DeLuxe.

38bill · 10-13-2022, 05:21 PM

I don't think that there were left and right lenses. The lenses "dip" the light down.

DavidG · 10-13-2022, 07:07 PM

The aiming of head lamps of the pre-sealed-beam era took place with adjustments on the housings or reflectors and did not separately involve the lenses.

swoopNZ · 10-13-2022, 10:31 PM

I also didn't think there was until I saw a Barner looking for RHD lenses for his 39.
PN's seem to be the same.

ford38v8 · 10-13-2022, 10:50 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by swoopNZ

I also didn't think there was until I saw a Barner looking for RHD lenses for his 39.
PN's seem to be the same.

And I've been looking for a left handed monkey wrench all my life.

Brian · 10-14-2022, 01:01 AM

Yes, I told that barner the lens were the same but he was adamant that he was right!!

nickthebandit · 10-14-2022, 03:57 PM

Let us hope that he is still looking.

DavidG · 10-14-2022, 04:02 PM

It will be an fruitless hunt. A big clue is that there are no XXF-prefix headlamp lenses listed in any of the chassis parts catalogues of the era that include RHD parts.

ford38v8 · 10-14-2022, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

It will be an fruitless hunt.

No no. I have faith that I'm gonna find that left handed monkey wrench someday. It is written.

V8COOPMAN · 10-14-2022, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

No no. I have faith that I'm gonna find that left handed monkey wrench someday. It is written.

Find a "metric" version of that "left-handed" monkey wrench and you might really have yourself something!

Coop

.

Kube · 10-14-2022, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Find a "metric" version of that "left-handed" monkey wrench and you might really have yourself something!

Coop

.

This reminds me of an apprentice that was hired into the tool room. He was told to go to the tool crib and check out the brass magnet. As you guys well know, it's the only magnet that will pick up aluminum chips.

That was fun at his expense.

aussie merc · 10-15-2022, 10:31 PM

ford 38v8 look harder their out there! the lights dip due to the placement of the filaments in the reflector [parabolic geometry] the Fresnel cut is what focus the light into a tighter beam the cut is also related to the angle at which the light enters the lens so a lefts will need to be different to a right dip so i dont know if the made them hence the original Question ARE THEY AVALIBLE ? and by the answers i would say not. The answer seams to use clear lens and a late style H4 sealed beam light with a free form reflector

ford38v8 · 10-15-2022, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussie merc

ford 38v8 look harder their out there! the lights dip due to the placement of the filaments in the reflector [parabolic geometry] the Fresnel cut is what focus the light into a tighter beam the cut is also related to the angle at which the light enters the lens so a lefts will need to be different to a right dip so i dont know if the made them hence the original Question ARE THEY AVALIBLE ? and by the answers i would say not. The answer seams to use clear lens and a late style H4 sealed beam light with a free form reflector

The question was whether there was a different lens for L or R, not reflector focus or filament, or what may have been available aftermarket with a jury rigged seal beam. The answer is no, there was only the single lens used on both L and R. If there had been, the difference would be noted by two different part numbers for each application. They may be out there as you say, but were not available from Ford at the time.

nickthebandit · 10-16-2022, 06:53 AM

I have seen lenses with part numbers prefixed 78A, and 81A. what is the difference ?

deuce lover · 10-16-2022, 08:03 AM

...

TJ · 10-16-2022, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickthebandit

I have seen lenses with part numbers prefixed 78A, and 81A. what is the difference ?

The shape of the lense.

ford38v8 · 10-16-2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickthebandit

I have seen lenses with part numbers prefixed 78A, and 81A. what is the difference ?

The configuration of the refraction (if that’s the word). 78 is for ‘37, 81A is for ‘38. Either will fit either year, but only one is correct.

swoopNZ · 10-16-2022, 06:22 PM

The top thread for adjusting the reflectors stand out less on a 37 than a 38.
I think it's to do with the the angle of the headlamp in the fender.
37's used the 1/2 round reflector locators. 38 and 39 std have the full circle ones.
So does the 39 deluxe ( and I guess 39 mercury ) but the top thread on these is recessed like the 37's.

10-13-2022, 05:02 PM	#1
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	37-39 headlight lens Were the glass headlamp lens the same for LHD and RHD cars or was there a difference to allow for dipping the light away from oncoming traffic ? Thanks, Chris.NZ.

10-13-2022, 05:15 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,648	Re: 37-39 headlight lens Chris, to be clear, you’re asking about 3 different lenses, 78; 81A; and 91A. Each was used in pairs on both left and right headlight buckets of their respective Ford models ‘37; ‘38; ‘39 Standard; ‘39 DeLuxe. __________________ Alan

10-13-2022, 05:21 PM	#3
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: 37-39 headlight lens I don't think that there were left and right lenses. The lenses "dip" the light down.

10-13-2022, 07:07 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,105	Re: 37-39 headlight lens The aiming of head lamps of the pre-sealed-beam era took place with adjustments on the housings or reflectors and did not separately involve the lenses.

10-13-2022, 10:31 PM	#5
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 37-39 headlight lens I also didn't think there was until I saw a Barner looking for RHD lenses for his 39. PN's seem to be the same.

10-14-2022, 01:01 AM	#7
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,836	Re: 37-39 headlight lens Yes, I told that barner the lens were the same but he was adamant that he was right!! __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

10-14-2022, 03:57 PM	#8
nickthebandit Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shippensburg, pa. Posts: 417	Re: 37-39 headlight lens Let us hope that he is still looking.

10-14-2022, 04:02 PM	#9
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,105	Re: 37-39 headlight lens It will be an fruitless hunt. A big clue is that there are no XXF-prefix headlamp lenses listed in any of the chassis parts catalogues of the era that include RHD parts.

10-15-2022, 10:31 PM	#13
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,036	Re: 37-39 headlight lens ford 38v8 look harder their out there! the lights dip due to the placement of the filaments in the reflector [parabolic geometry] the Fresnel cut is what focus the light into a tighter beam the cut is also related to the angle at which the light enters the lens so a lefts will need to be different to a right dip so i dont know if the made them hence the original Question ARE THEY AVALIBLE ? and by the answers i would say not. The answer seams to use clear lens and a late style H4 sealed beam light with a free form reflector

10-16-2022, 06:53 AM	#15
nickthebandit Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shippensburg, pa. Posts: 417	Re: 37-39 headlight lens I have seen lenses with part numbers prefixed 78A, and 81A. what is the difference ?

10-16-2022, 08:03 AM	#16
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,309	Re: 37-39 headlight lens ... Last edited by deuce lover; 10-16-2022 at 09:03 AM.

10-16-2022, 06:22 PM	#19
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 37-39 headlight lens The top thread for adjusting the reflectors stand out less on a 37 than a 38. I think it's to do with the the angle of the headlamp in the fender. 37's used the 1/2 round reflector locators. 38 and 39 std have the full circle ones. So does the 39 deluxe ( and I guess 39 mercury ) but the top thread on these is recessed like the 37's.