The Ford Barn

Willie Krash · 03-17-2015, 01:40 PM

I was reading an old article by Walt Langill re headlights.
His adjustment of headlights is quite simple. Use a straight 2X4 and put across the lights and make them parallel to the 2x4. Make sure the car is level and use a carpenters spirit level on each headlight face and cocked them down until they are 1/2 bubble off of plumb or 1/2 bubble on the level.
That's it.

Now part two. Some time back I adjusted mine by the Ford book sort of..Blue tape on an old warehouse wall in the middle of the night, driving around and readjusted.

I grew tired of it all and just drove on dark roads and found the sweet spot. With my new Brattons reflectors I was quite amazed. Not bad at all.

So I thought let's see if the article conforms to my sweet spot. Well the two headlights were within 1/4" of being parallel (something I did knowingly) and both lights were dead on....1/2 bubble off plumb. So pun intended that was my after the fact blind test.

H/T to Marshall Lewis for the idea and thank you Rick Black for the article.
I did do a quick search so if this has been addressed sorry, but it still is good info.

CYB4 · 03-17-2015, 02:27 PM

Thanks, I will check it out next weekend.

CarlG · 03-17-2015, 03:00 PM

I've used this same approach, except instead of using a 2X4, I just used my 48" carpenter's level as a straight edge to get the lights parallel to each other. Used the same level to adjust the vertical alignment. Hadn't seen the article, just used common sense. Glad to have written confirmation. Thanks Mike!

Fullraceflathead · 03-17-2015, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the info. That's a Great way to set them and should be very accurate using the Carpenters Level.

SeaSlugs · 03-17-2015, 05:14 PM

this works great granted the surface your parked on is level.

Willie Krash · 03-17-2015, 06:34 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

It is in the post to make sure the car is level.

CarlG · 03-17-2015, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Krash

It is in the post to make sure the car is level.

If you do it in your garage, there's a pretty good chance it will be "near" level.

John/CT · 03-18-2015, 05:47 PM

Could you please source the Walt Langill article?

ODFever · 03-19-2015, 07:55 PM

I'm so glad I saw this thread. I have to adjust the headlights on my A. A friend of mine, who owns a '31 coupe, told me to shine the lights on the garage door and adjust them. I know that works for modern cars, but I like the idea of using my 4' carpenter's level instead. It is more precise than eyeballing the adjustment. This information means I can adjust the headlights without even taking the car out of the garage!!

Thanks!

whirnot · 03-20-2015, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

If you do it in your garage, there's a pretty good chance it will be "near" level.

Actually not always, most houses being built today have a garage floor that is sloped 1/8" to 1/4" per foot, towards the floor for drainage.

But great information, I will use it on my cars.

C26Pinelake · 03-20-2015, 09:19 AM

Thanks Willie, I will try it when I an get thru the snow to. The barn. Wayne

CarlG · 03-20-2015, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whirnot

Actually not always, most houses being built today have a garage floor that is sloped 1/8" to 1/4" per foot, towards the floor (door?) for drainage.

But great information, I will use it on my cars.

That's why I said "near" level. If that's a concern, you can always compensate for that by using a piece of 1X under the wheels closest to the door.

Willie Krash · 03-20-2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John/CT

Could you please source the Walt Langill article?

John,
One of our club members scanned some material and put it into PDF files. It was a collection of material one of our members compiled over the years and has since passed away. It is a single page. I could send you the PDF.
Mike

Jerry in Shasta · 03-20-2015, 08:58 PM

Just one problem, where do you find a straight 2x4???
JB
Just my W A G at the problem.

CarlG · 03-20-2015, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry in Shasta

Just one problem, where do you find a straight 2x4???
JB
Just my W A G at the problem.

That's why I use a 4' carpenter's level.

Stew Masche · 03-20-2015, 11:58 PM

Great idea. but don't forget you still need to 'focus' the beam of light.

Thanks,

Stew

Ted Duke · 03-22-2015, 09:29 AM

I wouldn't worry about the level spot being quite level as the roads you drive on won't be level either. LOL

Seriously, that sounds like a good way to get them right.

Ted

Bikerider58 · 01-14-2018, 01:30 PM

Older thread, but very happy to find in the search results...

No wonder my headlights where terrible...pointing in different directions with one in the weeds and one in the trees. So much for P.O. saying they were good.

Using the 4 foot and short levels made it easy to do in the garage, so no searching for a warehouse area and adjusting in the dark.

For longer drives, I still plan to add driving lights.

Big hammer · 01-14-2018, 02:11 PM

I was asked to help a coworker on his project, he is a finicky person! I had to go get some parts and when I got back he had his level out. I said I was wondering when you where going to level things out! He said it doesn’t look right but the level says different. I stepped back and told him when it was level. Nowadays I maybe half a bubble off ! :-)

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-15-2018, 08:17 AM

Big Hammer,
Dog here, How in the WORLD kin Ol' Bill kjust headlites??? He's a BUBBLE & a HALF off, jist standing still
SA Buster T.

03-17-2015, 01:40 PM	#1
Willie Krash Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix, Oregon Posts: 661	Headlight Adjustment made easy I was reading an old article by Walt Langill re headlights. His adjustment of headlights is quite simple. Use a straight 2X4 and put across the lights and make them parallel to the 2x4. Make sure the car is level and use a carpenters spirit level on each headlight face and cocked them down until they are 1/2 bubble off of plumb or 1/2 bubble on the level. That's it. Now part two. Some time back I adjusted mine by the Ford book sort of..Blue tape on an old warehouse wall in the middle of the night, driving around and readjusted. I grew tired of it all and just drove on dark roads and found the sweet spot. With my new Brattons reflectors I was quite amazed. Not bad at all. So I thought let's see if the article conforms to my sweet spot. Well the two headlights were within 1/4" of being parallel (something I did knowingly) and both lights were dead on....1/2 bubble off plumb. So pun intended that was my after the fact blind test. H/T to Marshall Lewis for the idea and thank you Rick Black for the article. I did do a quick search so if this has been addressed sorry, but it still is good info. __________________ Mike Stitt "A business that make nothing but money is a poor business." -Henry Ford

03-17-2015, 02:27 PM	#2
CYB4 Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ostallgäu, Bavaria, Germany Posts: 54	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Thanks, I will check it out next weekend. __________________ Best regards Chris 1930 Ford A Std. Tudor

03-17-2015, 03:00 PM	#3
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy I've used this same approach, except instead of using a 2X4, I just used my 48" carpenter's level as a straight edge to get the lights parallel to each other. Used the same level to adjust the vertical alignment. Hadn't seen the article, just used common sense. Glad to have written confirmation. Thanks Mike! __________________ 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

03-17-2015, 03:37 PM	#4
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Thanks for the info. That's a Great way to set them and should be very accurate using the Carpenters Level. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

03-17-2015, 05:14 PM	#5
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy this works great granted the surface your parked on is level. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

03-17-2015, 06:34 PM	#6
Willie Krash Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix, Oregon Posts: 661	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is in the post to make sure the car is level. __________________ Mike Stitt "A business that make nothing but money is a poor business." -Henry Ford

03-18-2015, 05:47 PM	#8
John/CT Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Connecticut Posts: 50	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Could you please source the Walt Langill article?

03-19-2015, 07:55 PM	#9
ODFever Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Central Florida Posts: 116	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy I'm so glad I saw this thread. I have to adjust the headlights on my A. A friend of mine, who owns a '31 coupe, told me to shine the lights on the garage door and adjust them. I know that works for modern cars, but I like the idea of using my 4' carpenter's level instead. It is more precise than eyeballing the adjustment. This information means I can adjust the headlights without even taking the car out of the garage!! Thanks! __________________ ODFever 1930 Ford Model A Town Sedan "Alyssa"

03-20-2015, 09:19 AM	#11
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Thanks Willie, I will try it when I an get thru the snow to. The barn. Wayne

03-20-2015, 08:58 PM	#14
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Just one problem, where do you find a straight 2x4??? JB Just my W A G at the problem.

03-20-2015, 11:58 PM	#16
Stew Masche Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lake Mills, WI Posts: 251	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Great idea. but don't forget you still need to 'focus' the beam of light. Thanks, Stew __________________ Always one bad decision away from a good time.

03-22-2015, 09:29 AM	#17
Ted Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairfield, Virginia Posts: 615	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy I wouldn't worry about the level spot being quite level as the roads you drive on won't be level either. LOL Seriously, that sounds like a good way to get them right. Ted

01-14-2018, 01:30 PM	#18
Bikerider58 Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal Posts: 53	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Older thread, but very happy to find in the search results... No wonder my headlights where terrible...pointing in different directions with one in the weeds and one in the trees. So much for P.O. saying they were good. Using the 4 foot and short levels made it easy to do in the garage, so no searching for a warehouse area and adjusting in the dark. For longer drives, I still plan to add driving lights.

01-14-2018, 02:11 PM	#19
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy I was asked to help a coworker on his project, he is a finicky person! I had to go get some parts and when I got back he had his level out. I said I was wondering when you where going to level things out! He said it doesn’t look right but the level says different. I stepped back and told him when it was level. Nowadays I maybe half a bubble off ! :-) __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

01-15-2018, 08:17 AM	#20
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Headlight Adjustment made easy Big Hammer, Dog here, How in the WORLD kin Ol' Bill kjust headlites??? He's a BUBBLE & a HALF off, jist standing still SA Buster T. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"