79C3tnd

Been spending the past 2 months sorting out mechanical issues with my recently acquired 79... Having some issues with the low beams. I have them adjusted all the way "up" yet the beams still aim way too low, just two spots on the road not too far ahead of the car. They definitely need to be illuminating much higher. High beams are fine. But I have run out of adjustment, and they are just too low. The adjust screws are not binding and the headlight doors are in the full open position, not binding either. Any ideas? Am I missing something? Could it be the actual sealed headlamps that I am using are just wrong??

hugie82

Is the headlight bucket up all the way? There is a stopper that the light hits when it's in the up position. It keeps the light from jiggling when up but sometimes they get caught up.

79C3tnd

Yes...full upright, no issues with the housing... it is almost as if there is just not enough factory adjustment to allow the lights to tilt up enough. Strange...

0Willcox Corvette

We had a car in our shop with the same issue this week. The lamps were not coming up far enough.

Headlamp Housing Adjustment 68-82


http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=27609

Willcox

79C3tnd

Excellent video, thanks for posting! At least now I will have a clue what to look for in the adjustment. It does appear that the housings are rotating to the correct position, as the housings are flush with the nose at the front and rear when rotated to the on position, but perhaps they still need to rotate upwards even more. I will keep you posted with my progress...

Peterbuilt

Headlight UP STOP:


And down stop if you need it:

Alan 71

Hi,
Just a thought…. if the 'cups' aren't in the proper position might that limit their adjustment?
Looking from the front of the car… right to left… CBDA.
Regards,
Alan

I think the 'up' adjustment is a more likely cause.
A typical 'up' position.

Peterbuilt

Hi Alan,
Are my notes incorrect?
I have
C B D A
but from left to right.

Alan 71

Hi PB,
Well that's interesting.
I have it written down the way I posted it.
I just checked my 71… that's the way they're positioned in my car.
C, right outer, B, right inner, etc.
So?
Regards,
Alan

Mooser

I've got mine as:
Looking at the front of the car the order is C B D A from left to right
Where A is the 5963839, Drivers side outer lamp

But I'm frequently wrong....

I wonder if there's any chance the cup clip area isn't in the adjusting screw slot properly and that's why your out of adjustment?
Also, you may want to take the retaining rings off and double triple check that the bulbs are sitting 100% in the cup as they should be, I know they can and will find a spot to sit and that's not always quite right

Just a couple of quick places to look
M

Duane4238

If all else fails, air up the front tires and air down the rears!
Merry Christmas.
Duane
Seriously, though, I'd check to make sure the bulbs are seated correctly.

Alan 71

Hi PB and M,
I just realized i've been saying the order wrong.
The C's on the RIGHT outer ON THE CAR itself, but looking at the car it's on the person who's looking, LEFT side.
All is o.k.!
Regards,
Alan

Mooser

You had me worried there Alan, I actually started thinking mine were backwards.
I don't know where that info is actually listed since they come as an assembly, my AIM just shows the P/N and in a quick check I didn't see the ABCD, mines just penciled in on the page.
M

Peterbuilt

Hi Alan,
I'm sure that I found out that the cups had to be installed in a certain order from one of your previous posts,
and I made a note so if I ever need to find out the correct order I would have it.
Being up in years I could have easily inverted l to r or r to l.
You are a very knowledgeable and helpful forum member and I thank you for taking the time to help us with great information and detailed photos.
Happy Holidays,
Pete.

Mooser, thanks for your help too!

Wonder if the OP is so confused now that he just bought bigger front tires.

Alan 71

Hi PB and M,
I'm trying to avoid blaming things that happen on my advanced years…. this one was just being stupid.
The lettered cups is one of those fascinating little details!
Merry Christmas to both of you!
Regards,
Alan

79C3tnd

Ha! I just signed on for the day and saw this... probably won't have a chance until after Christmas to pull her in the garage and get a good look, but I appreciate all of the responses. I am pretty sure I can find the answer somewhere in here! I will post once I figure it out. Or not. LOL. Thanks guys!

widowmaker221

My 79 seems to be similar to yours. I only srewed around with this once so I just run the highbeams as I rarely drive this car at night. These type of headlights are nowhere near as bright as a modern car on lowbeam

79C3tnd

NO, they definitely are not too bright. Once I get the issue resolved, I am going to be hunting for better lights, possibly some Hella driving lights that I can use in place of the stock lights. I like to see where I am going at night! Has anyone done anything like this? Not interested in HIDs, just a quality halogen alternative...

Mooser

Running the Wagner Halogen bulbs helped, then adding a set of headlight relays made another noticeable improvement.

Short of modifying the buckets and changing to the H4 style this is about as good as it gets.
M

79C3tnd

So... I got in there yesterday and started tearing everything apart, and noticed that the headlamps just didn't seam to be seating into the cups the way they should (and the way I had thought they were). Seems the previous owner had the outer low beam cups reversed. Switched them around and most of my problem is solved. At their highest adjustment, the low beams are pretty much right where they should be.

I would have adjusted the up stop, but my name isn't Stretch Armstrong, and it would be a circus act to get at them it appears. But all is good. Thanks for all of your replies!