Headlight Support Shim
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Usa
Headlight Support Shim
I've completed rebuild of my headlights and ready to reinstall only problem is I've lost the square 1/2" shim that bolts between the headlight support and the support bar that is attached to the body. Is there a vendor that sells these shims? I've not been able to find them anywhere.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,420
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I don't believe you'll find a shim made specifically for your purpose. When I read the AIM my sense is that ALL the adjustment is in the mounting bearings and stops for the door housing assembly, so there weren't any shims specified for use on the assembly line.
If I needed to shim the support I'd use a front a-arm alignment shim of the proper thickness with the little 'tab' cut off.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Regards,
Alan
I don't believe you'll find a shim made specifically for your purpose. When I read the AIM my sense is that ALL the adjustment is in the mounting bearings and stops for the door housing assembly, so there weren't any shims specified for use on the assembly line.
If I needed to shim the support I'd use a front a-arm alignment shim of the proper thickness with the little 'tab' cut off.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
I've completed rebuild of my headlights and ready to reinstall only problem is I've lost the square 1/2" shim that bolts between the headlight support and the support bar that is attached to the body. Is there a vendor that sells these shims? I've not been able to find them anywhere.
What Alan says is correct in a sense that they weren't used in assembly. They were supplied over the counter in conjuction with the 73-74 version support to use on the chrome bumper 68-72's, once the supply of THAT support was no longer available. I believe the part number remained the same even though the 68-72 piece was no more.
I suspect all the venders selling supports are selling the later support that should include the blocks,(as an original 68-72 is hard to find), but as I said I don't think you'd get them seperately, but may be worth a call.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
To answer your question... I don't believe you can buy just the spacer blocks.(shims).
What Alan says is correct in a sense that they weren't used in assembly. They were supplied over the counter in conjuction with the 73-74 version support to use on the chrome bumper 68-72's, once the supply of THAT support was no longer available. I believe the part number remained the same even though the 68-72 piece was no more.
I suspect all the venders selling supports are selling the later support that should include the blocks,(as an original 68-72 is hard to find), but as I said I don't think you'd get them seperately, but may be worth a call.
What Alan says is correct in a sense that they weren't used in assembly. They were supplied over the counter in conjuction with the 73-74 version support to use on the chrome bumper 68-72's, once the supply of THAT support was no longer available. I believe the part number remained the same even though the 68-72 piece was no more.
I suspect all the venders selling supports are selling the later support that should include the blocks,(as an original 68-72 is hard to find), but as I said I don't think you'd get them seperately, but may be worth a call.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Are you talking about the 1" square x 3/8" thick blocks of metal at the front of the headlamp frame where it attaches to the bumper area?
If not, in the rear area of the headlamp assembly under the hood surround panel near the top of the fenders is a triangular bracket with the potential for shims (like A-Arm). But I think the proper shim for taht area is a core support shim.
If not, in the rear area of the headlamp assembly under the hood surround panel near the top of the fenders is a triangular bracket with the potential for shims (like A-Arm). But I think the proper shim for taht area is a core support shim.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
68-72,(chrome bumper), has a different HL support than 73-74,(rubber bumper). As with many other parts, once the supply for the earlier parts was no longer available, the redesigned, 2nd generation, call it what you like, part was used.
In this case, it was necessary,( and you would think a consideration in developing the new design), that the spacer blocks would make up the differences in the chrome to rubber bumper design. This way you could go to your local Chevy parts dealer, order a HL support, and what you would get was the 73-74 design with a little plastic bag with the 2 spacer blocks and directions. You of course didn't need them for a 73-74, but I believe they all came with them. Sort of the one part fits all mentallity.
BTW..... I don't know in what way, but the 75 and later HL support is different from the 73-74. I would assume the bumper area changed again? Hope this clears it up a bit
Just remembered, I had these. The first 2 are from my 70 AIM. The last one I cleared up and added those blocks.
Last edited by dennis; Dec 24, 2009 at 02:50 PM.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Dennis is dead on!
The shims were a crude thick shim stamped from steel and they were never sold over the counter only as part of the support kit. When GM replaced the 1968-1972 supports with the later 6258533-4 they also included the shims with the support.
Willcox
The shims were a crude thick shim stamped from steel and they were never sold over the counter only as part of the support kit. When GM replaced the 1968-1972 supports with the later 6258533-4 they also included the shims with the support.
Willcox
