The Ford Barn

drolston · 04-06-2018, 03:57 PM

One headlight adjust screw on my '41 is frozen. Multiple applications of Gibson's and Liquid Wrench, to no avail. Any hints on how to bust that loose? Also, I do not find any replacement parts on any of the usual sites. Suggestions?

cas3 · 04-06-2018, 10:32 PM

can you remove the bucket and work on the bench? if so, heat it up, let it cool and try again

Phil Gillespie · 04-07-2018, 12:42 AM

As suggested, To remove the bucket and work on the bench. That way if off car can also be soaked to assist.
Phil NZ

Mart · 04-07-2018, 04:34 AM

I had to do this on my 41 pu. I had the buckets on the bench and was able to get the springs off the headlamp backing plate and remove the plate. I was able to grab the screw with vise grips and after soaking in atf/acetone mix, was able to get the slightest movement. after this just keep working back and forth until eventually it will unscrew. I had to either remove or bend back the part that surrounds the nut and support that with more vise grips.

The nuts are pressed brass and the screws are steel. I ran a 10-32 tap through the nuts and a die down the screws.

I did see a screw and nut kit available from one of the early ford suppliers, but for me, in England, it made more sense to just try and get the ones I had on hand working.

I just checked and the ones I saw were for 1940. Apologies.

The general rule of disassemble until you can really access the parts you are trying to loosen probably still apply though.

Mart.

drolston · 04-15-2018, 05:01 PM

Disassembled bucket and removed screws with the nuts stuck on. Soaked in PB Blaster for two days and still won' budge. Ordered some later model with nylon nuts that are just a bit bigger than the square holes in my bucket. I will shave then down to fit. I will report back if that works.

FortyNiner · 04-15-2018, 05:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Just a little heat does wonders.

cmbrucew · 04-15-2018, 06:25 PM

I bought a bucket at the swap meet for spare parts.
Bruce

big job · 04-16-2018, 07:40 AM

Try holding a soldering iron on it for a while. Snake oil never works for me its heat &
most of the time lots of it. However with heat like the soldering gun then some snake
oil, the heat will suck it in thats what you want......Another good way is some 12gauge
house copper wire wind wire in a coil around the female and hook the two ends to a
battery that coil will turn red hot guess its called induction

04-06-2018, 03:57 PM	#1
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen One headlight adjust screw on my '41 is frozen. Multiple applications of Gibson's and Liquid Wrench, to no avail. Any hints on how to bust that loose? Also, I do not find any replacement parts on any of the usual sites. Suggestions?

04-06-2018, 10:32 PM	#2
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen can you remove the bucket and work on the bench? if so, heat it up, let it cool and try again

04-07-2018, 12:42 AM	#3
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,611	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen As suggested, To remove the bucket and work on the bench. That way if off car can also be soaked to assist. Phil NZ

04-07-2018, 04:34 AM	#4
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,756	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen I had to do this on my 41 pu. I had the buckets on the bench and was able to get the springs off the headlamp backing plate and remove the plate. I was able to grab the screw with vise grips and after soaking in atf/acetone mix, was able to get the slightest movement. after this just keep working back and forth until eventually it will unscrew. I had to either remove or bend back the part that surrounds the nut and support that with more vise grips. The nuts are pressed brass and the screws are steel. I ran a 10-32 tap through the nuts and a die down the screws. I did see a screw and nut kit available from one of the early ford suppliers, but for me, in England, it made more sense to just try and get the ones I had on hand working. I just checked and the ones I saw were for 1940. Apologies. The general rule of disassemble until you can really access the parts you are trying to loosen probably still apply though. Mart.

04-15-2018, 05:01 PM	#5
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen Disassembled bucket and removed screws with the nuts stuck on. Soaked in PB Blaster for two days and still won' budge. Ordered some later model with nylon nuts that are just a bit bigger than the square holes in my bucket. I will shave then down to fit. I will report back if that works.

04-15-2018, 05:08 PM	#6
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,137	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Just a little heat does wonders. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

04-15-2018, 06:25 PM	#7
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen I bought a bucket at the swap meet for spare parts. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

04-16-2018, 07:40 AM	#8
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Headlight Adjust Screws Frozen Try holding a soldering iron on it for a while. Snake oil never works for me its heat & most of the time lots of it. However with heat like the soldering gun then some snake oil, the heat will suck it in thats what you want......Another good way is some 12gauge house copper wire wind wire in a coil around the female and hook the two ends to a battery that coil will turn red hot guess its called induction Last edited by big job; 04-16-2018 at 07:44 AM. Reason: spelling