Remove headligh housing
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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Remove headligh housing
I just had my 1969 Vette painted. I told the body shop to take their time and they did, almost two years. Part of the deal was that I take it apart and put it back together. In putting the headlight housing in, I chipped the paint on the body and the frontend had to be repainted. The car now looks great. Now my problem. Looking in my box of parts, I found the Pivot Collars for the headlight housing. In two years, I forgot how it all came apart. I don't want to chip the paint again so I need help. Does anyone know of a way to safely remove the headlight housing, and put them back in, without chipping the paint?
Last edited by stebe; Mar 29, 2009 at 12:35 PM. Reason: Title not complete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
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From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
It's been a while for me too so I have forgotten the details.
To protect your body from chips, put masking tape around the edges. You should also mask the painted top of the light housing.
I remember that when I took my assemblies out, I took apart quite a bit of the front assembly behind the bumper. I did not remove the bumper, though.
To protect your body from chips, put masking tape around the edges. You should also mask the painted top of the light housing.
I remember that when I took my assemblies out, I took apart quite a bit of the front assembly behind the bumper. I did not remove the bumper, though.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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Thanks for the advice. I use tape when I installed the second headlight and still managed to chip that one too. The grill and just about everything else is still not put on so it's easy to reach some of the bolts. I am just a whole lot nervous about removing without chipping. And even if I get it out cleanly, installing without chipping.
I am thinking about going to the pet store and buying some clear fishtank tubing and cutting it lengthwise. Then putting that around the opening. Maybe..........
I am thinking about going to the pet store and buying some clear fishtank tubing and cutting it lengthwise. Then putting that around the opening. Maybe..........
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Use blue painters tape, then put a layer of duct tape over it (no duct tape adhesive on the new paint, please). Then, just be careful. You need to buy an Assembly Instruction Manual (A.I.M.) if you are going to do any mechanical work on your car; it has all the "answers".
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
I found the Corvette Body Repair Guide by Glass-ra in section one of volume 4 has an excellent illustration and detailing of how to teardown, reconstruct and adjust Headlight housing.
http://www.glas-ra.com/v4.html
ikwhite
http://www.glas-ra.com/v4.html
ikwhite
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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I have an AIM but it does give any detail on how to remove the housing. The blue tape and then duct tape are good ideas.
Looking at the glas-4a link, it shows the pieces but does the book tell how to get the housing out and back in without chipping the paint?
I know am acting a little paranoid and that is because I am. It's been so long since I originally took it apart that I don't remember if I dinged the paint or not. It didn't matter then since the whole car was being sanded down. The only thing fresh in my mind is the last time I put it back in. If the housing came out and went in straight, it would be simple. But it doesn't, it has to go in at an angle and well, you've been there before, you know.... Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Looking at the glas-4a link, it shows the pieces but does the book tell how to get the housing out and back in without chipping the paint?
I know am acting a little paranoid and that is because I am. It's been so long since I originally took it apart that I don't remember if I dinged the paint or not. It didn't matter then since the whole car was being sanded down. The only thing fresh in my mind is the last time I put it back in. If the housing came out and went in straight, it would be simple. But it doesn't, it has to go in at an angle and well, you've been there before, you know.... Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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OK, I have pullled and installed the headlight housing. Here is what I did different this time.
1. Used Blue Tape as recommended by 7T1vette.
2. I removed the Stop Bracket.
It came out and went in easily but like I said, I chipped the body the last time I put them in.
Thanks for the inputs!!!!
1. Used Blue Tape as recommended by 7T1vette.
2. I removed the Stop Bracket.
It came out and went in easily but like I said, I chipped the body the last time I put them in.
Thanks for the inputs!!!!
