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Old 01-01-2017, 08:10 PM   #1
biggieou
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Default Sealed beams

Hello,
My car along the way was converted to sealed beam headlights. What all do I need to go back to stock? New trim rings, glass and bulb?

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Old 01-01-2017, 08:19 PM   #2
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: Sealed beams

You also need gaskets and reflectors. Buy the reflectors from Bratton's, Bratton's Ford Parts, (301) 829-9880. Buy the reflectors from Bratton's. Did I say to buy the reflectors from Brattons. They have the best reflectors and to the best of my knowledge no one else sells them. If you don't believe me, check the archives. Don't cut corners on the reflectors.

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Old 01-01-2017, 08:35 PM   #3
robgross1930
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Default Re: Sealed beams

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens View Post
You also need gaskets and reflectors. Buy the reflectors from Bratton's, Bratton's Ford Parts, (301) 829-9880. Buy the reflectors from Bratton's. Did I say to buy the reflectors from Brattons. They have the best reflectors and to the best of my knowledge no one else sells them. If you don't believe me, check the archives. Don't cut corners on the reflectors.

Charlie Stephens
Speaking of reflectors, wasn't there a company about 20 years ago or so called Uvira or Elvira or something like that? They could apply a coating to reflectors that would not tarnish and would maintain the reflectivity of freshly polished silver at 90% or something like. I wonder if they are still in business?
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:04 PM   #4
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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Speaking of reflectors, wasn't there a company about 20 years ago or so called Uvira or Elvira or something like that? They could apply a coating to reflectors that would not tarnish and would maintain the reflectivity of freshly polished silver at 90% or something like. I wonder if they are still in business?
Last I heard they were still in business and could be reached at (541) 474-5050. They are located in Oregon. Elvira, mistress of the dark, was a TV character. It used to be that you would have to find good original reflectors (most of the reproductions had the wrong shape and didn't focus properly) and have them nickel plated before sending them. Since they were doing it in a quantity of two (unless you can find a friend) they were expensive but definitely the way to go at that time. I was planing on going that route before Bratton's came out with theirs.

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Old 01-01-2017, 09:18 PM   #5
robgross1930
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Default Re: Sealed beams

This is the place below. The phone number listed by Charlie Stephens in his post may be newer and better.


Uvira Inc
310 Pleasant Valley Rd
Merlin, OR 97532


Contact: William Atwood Title: President Phone: 541-956-6880 Website:

Uvira Inc is the only company located at 310 Pleasant Valley Rd, Merlin, OR. 97532





Uvira is located in Merlin, Oregon. This organization primarily operates in the Detection Apparatus: Electronic/magnetic Field, Light/heat business / industry within the Measuring, Photographic, Medical, & Optical Goods, & Clocks sector. This organization has been operating for approximately 45 years. Uvira is estimated to generate $1,000,000 in annual revenues, and employs approximately 14 people at this single location.


Sector: Measuring, Photographic, Medical, & Optical Goods, & Clocks Category: Search and Navigation Equipment Industry: Detection Apparatus: Electronic/magnetic Field, Light/heat
Commercial Physical Research
Optical Instruments and Lenses
SIC Code: 3812, 8731, 3827


Name:
Uvira
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:21 PM   #6
Art Newland
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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If you want the electrical connections to the headlights to be like original, you will need parts for that too. there is also some little wire clips that hold the lenses in the rings.
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Old 01-02-2017, 07:34 AM   #7
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Default Re: Sealed beams

Adjusting screw and spring :-)
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Old 01-02-2017, 09:35 AM   #8
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Default Re: Sealed beams

I bought a nice pair of lights, original horn, and light bar on ebay about 12 years ago that had sealed beams installed. I think the original rims are on and fine to use, so you will need every part except the rim and bucket as far as I can see.

I don't have much experience with the sealed beam conversion, so maybe some other company made one where the rims also need to be changed.
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Old 01-02-2017, 11:31 PM   #9
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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Originally Posted by biggieou View Post
Hello,
My car along the way was converted to sealed beam headlights. What all do I need to go back to stock? New trim rings, glass and bulb?

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It depends on what was used in the first place. Some kits "hid" the sealed beam behind the glass lens.
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Old 01-03-2017, 12:48 AM   #10
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Default Re: Sealed beams

I went through this process back in April, documented a lot of the procedure in this thread;
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193956
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Old 01-03-2017, 06:24 AM   #11
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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It depends on what was used in the first place. Some kits "hid" the sealed beam behind the glass lens.
Unfortunately mine is not hidden.

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Old 01-03-2017, 06:24 AM   #12
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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I went through this process back in April, documented a lot of the procedure in this thread;
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193956
Perfect! Thanks!

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Old 02-02-2017, 08:06 PM   #13
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Default Re: Sealed beams

I'll start a new thread
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Last edited by biggieou; 02-03-2017 at 12:54 PM.
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Old 02-03-2017, 05:31 PM   #14
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Default Re: Sealed beams

This actually answers a question for me. I took my headlights apart to polish things up and found sealed beam bulbs inside. You would never know. The do work good too.
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Old 02-03-2017, 05:39 PM   #15
biggieou
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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This actually answers a question for me. I took my headlights apart to polish things up and found sealed beam bulbs inside. You would never know. The do work good too.
Looks nice! Unfortunately mine were not hidden behind the glass.

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Old 02-03-2017, 06:33 PM   #16
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Default Re: Sealed beams

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This actually answers a question for me. I took my headlights apart to polish things up and found sealed beam bulbs inside. You would never know. The do work good too.
I would think effectively having 2 lenses it would scatter light all over the place, I may be wrong though! Have you compared to properly built stock A headlights? Just curious...
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Old 02-03-2017, 07:02 PM   #17
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Default Re: Sealed beams

Haven't really thought about the double lens thing. Drive it plenty at night and the lights do work well. I was really surprised when I saw sealed beam bulbs in them. The conversion looks to be well made. There are adaptor rings and retainers. Everything fits over the stock lens' and rings. You can look right at them and still not see the bulbs inside.
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