7
C3 headlight opening gaps
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
C3 headlight opening gaps
I'm trying to figure out what is reasonable for the headlight opening gaps. If they are too tight then after paint and through normal operation they will rub. Too big and they may not look right. I assume getting them even all the way around is important.
Reason is my car had the openings glassed over and some square headlights put in where the grill belongs. So I have to recreate the openings. In tearing things apart I found enough of the original openings to get me close.
I am looking for advice on gap size and pictures of headlight openings that don't bind would help a lot. I could just compare to the pics.
Thanks in advance guys!
Reason is my car had the openings glassed over and some square headlights put in where the grill belongs. So I have to recreate the openings. In tearing things apart I found enough of the original openings to get me close.
I am looking for advice on gap size and pictures of headlight openings that don't bind would help a lot. I could just compare to the pics.
Thanks in advance guys!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I'm trying to figure out what is reasonable for the headlight opening gaps. If they are too tight then after paint and through normal operation they will rub. Too big and they may not look right. I assume getting them even all the way around is important.
Reason is my car had the openings glassed over and some square headlights put in where the grill belongs. So I have to recreate the openings. In tearing things apart I found enough of the original openings to get me close.
I am looking for advice on gap size and pictures of headlight openings that don't bind would help a lot. I could just compare to the pics.
Thanks in advance guys!
Reason is my car had the openings glassed over and some square headlights put in where the grill belongs. So I have to recreate the openings. In tearing things apart I found enough of the original openings to get me close.
I am looking for advice on gap size and pictures of headlight openings that don't bind would help a lot. I could just compare to the pics.
Thanks in advance guys!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I'm having a tough time maintainig an 1/8" gap all around. If I go less then 3/16" at the back the unit rubs on the way up. I may have to radius the back edge of the nose panel to close up the gap.
I've spent a few hours adjusting them already and it looks like I'm in for another session.
I don't have good after shots yet of the lights closed, but here's a few shots of where I'm at now:
I've spent a few hours adjusting them already and it looks like I'm in for another session.
I don't have good after shots yet of the lights closed, but here's a few shots of where I'm at now:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
I appreciate the info but 1/8 inch with no rubbing doesn't sound possible in reality, or practically. Does anyone have any pictures from the top looking down with the doors closed?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you get 3/16th, you're okay. These cars were not perfect when they left St. Louis. The clearance dimensions in the AIM are what was hoped for and the ideal, but probably not the norm.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
In the last pic with the doors open,you are looking prety good.IMO
I wouldn't think you would be too far off when they are closed.
I feel that if they operate without binding and the gaps are equal,you're good to go.
Mark
I wouldn't think you would be too far off when they are closed.
I feel that if they operate without binding and the gaps are equal,you're good to go.
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
Can't you just put them in the "down" position and see what 'adjustment'/shimming you need to do on the headlight mounting bolts to get them to line up well? You would also be able to see what body work still needed to be done to get them just right.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I wish it was that easy. There are several adjustment points that all have limits. In my case the doors need to be skewed corner to corner and I can't get the adjustment without hitting the back side.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
In my estimation, this is typical. Better gaps on the right than on the left, but -- altogether -- not bad. Also note the hood alignment. Not perfect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Did you try adjusting the pivot bushings position? There's a lot of adjustment room. Also you can slide the Actuator bracket back & forth which will raise or lower the assembly slightly and then readjust the pivot bushing position.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
If your not busy tonight, come on over
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
To be clear, I am recreating the openings because someone glassed them over. So I need to know what I should be shooting for from a reasonable cosmetic and operational perspective. I don't want to be dissapointed later but don't have a reference point.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Are the original openings still visable from under the car? If so you may be able to get a reference measurement. I can try to take some baseline measurements for the openings on my car for you if you have a starting point. Let me know, I'll be out in the garage tonight.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,135
Likes: 4,206
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi AW,
Do you have the headlight doors that you're planning to use? They will help you decide how to build the openings. The 71 AIM indicates .10 to .14 inches for the gap.
I think having the door VERY well centered in the opening is more important and noticeable than the size of the gap. I'd think an 1/8th to 3/16th is acceptable.
The pictures are of my 71. I didn't change the gap at all. I did, however, work on both the doors and the surround to get them very flush.
Regards,
Alan
Do you have the headlight doors that you're planning to use? They will help you decide how to build the openings. The 71 AIM indicates .10 to .14 inches for the gap.
I think having the door VERY well centered in the opening is more important and noticeable than the size of the gap. I'd think an 1/8th to 3/16th is acceptable.
The pictures are of my 71. I didn't change the gap at all. I did, however, work on both the doors and the surround to get them very flush.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
When I was working my headlights I found if you shim the ft. where it bolts to the support under the bumper it will change the angle and be more forgiving and help keep the door from hitting in the rear.
Also if you are using the cast headlight bezels they need to be attached with all the screws. If they are not there when you go to put everything back together the body work you spent so much time doing may be off. Mine was off so I had to rework it, I was lucky I figured it out before the paint but I also had to go over something a second time.
Also if you are using the cast headlight bezels they need to be attached with all the screws. If they are not there when you go to put everything back together the body work you spent so much time doing may be off. Mine was off so I had to rework it, I was lucky I figured it out before the paint but I also had to go over something a second time.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: destin fl
I'm having a tough time maintainig an 1/8" gap all around. If I go less then 3/16" at the back the unit rubs on the way up. I may have to radius the back edge of the nose panel to close up the gap.
I've spent a few hours adjusting them already and it looks like I'm in for another session.
I don't have good after shots yet of the lights closed, but here's a few shots of where I'm at now:
I've spent a few hours adjusting them already and it looks like I'm in for another session.
I don't have good after shots yet of the lights closed, but here's a few shots of where I'm at now:
I also like the way you have prepped the lip for the hood to rest on. Head light door gaps I have not attacked yet, been fighting the pass/driver door gaps
I'm learning