1972 headlight door gaping when closed
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1972 headlight door gaping when closed
i just purchased a 72 vette. the headlight doors look great when closed as far as level with the body, and they are both individually aligned (gap sizing) very well on both L/R sides of each headlight door when closed. (ie. the drivers side headlight door has equal sized gaps on the left and right side of that individual door (about 3/16" L/R). the same for the passenger side headlight door.
the problem is the front and rear gaps of each individual headlight door with the headlight doors closed. on both headlight doors, the front gap (bumper side) is about 1/8" and the rear gap (hood side) the gap is about 1/4". i want each of them to be more centered front and back (3/16" each - the same gap same as the sides). i have looked at other forums and looked for youtube videos to help show me how to make this minor gaping adjustment with no luck. i have found forum responses on getting the doors aligned up and down (leveling), and side-to-side for good gaping and levelness, but nothing showing me how to adjust the front and rear gap of each closed headlight door for equal gaping.
can you help me or post a potential web site where i can go?
the problem is the front and rear gaps of each individual headlight door with the headlight doors closed. on both headlight doors, the front gap (bumper side) is about 1/8" and the rear gap (hood side) the gap is about 1/4". i want each of them to be more centered front and back (3/16" each - the same gap same as the sides). i have looked at other forums and looked for youtube videos to help show me how to make this minor gaping adjustment with no luck. i have found forum responses on getting the doors aligned up and down (leveling), and side-to-side for good gaping and levelness, but nothing showing me how to adjust the front and rear gap of each closed headlight door for equal gaping.
can you help me or post a potential web site where i can go?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 729
Likes: 118
From: Kelowna British Columbia
There are 3 bolts on each side of the housing (really hard to get at.) You can loosen them and there is some adjustment. The 3 bolts hold the pivot arm on each side of the housing.
You have to take out the grill to access. Be careful when adjusting as if you get it too close to the hood it will chip paint when door goes up.
You have to take out the grill to access. Be careful when adjusting as if you get it too close to the hood it will chip paint when door goes up.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Ronald,
I posted this at your other thread too.
Here are photos showing the bushings and bolts h describes.
Hi Ronald,
Welcome!
First Posts!!
AND…. a 72 for you!!! NICE!
The front to rear adjustment for the headlight doors in their openings is a difficult one because of the limited access to the adjustment locations.
The pivot points of the doors themselves must be moved slightly.
The doors pivot in a bearing bolted to the headlight frame with 4 bolts.
These bolts must be loosened and the bearing moved ever so slightly to adjust the front/back door gap.
Most people access the bolts from below by reaching up through the openings in the lower valance.
Do you have a 72 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your car? There are some drawings in the AIM that would help you in locating the bearings and understand how they are adjusted.
Are you enjoying your new old car?
Regards,
Alan
The bearings for the pivot shafts.
I posted this at your other thread too.
Here are photos showing the bushings and bolts h describes.
Hi Ronald,
Welcome!
First Posts!!
AND…. a 72 for you!!! NICE!
The front to rear adjustment for the headlight doors in their openings is a difficult one because of the limited access to the adjustment locations.
The pivot points of the doors themselves must be moved slightly.
The doors pivot in a bearing bolted to the headlight frame with 4 bolts.
These bolts must be loosened and the bearing moved ever so slightly to adjust the front/back door gap.
Most people access the bolts from below by reaching up through the openings in the lower valance.
Do you have a 72 Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your car? There are some drawings in the AIM that would help you in locating the bearings and understand how they are adjusted.
Are you enjoying your new old car?
Regards,
Alan
The bearings for the pivot shafts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
arguably the hardest bolts to get at in a complete car !
as said , be very careful when you do the test "swing " do it by hand not use the vacuum power .
also if they drop while loose you lose the correct height and have to start again .
as said , be very careful when you do the test "swing " do it by hand not use the vacuum power .
also if they drop while loose you lose the correct height and have to start again .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 633
From: perth western australia
here's the other side of Allen's pics, haha well not quite ! but these are from a 69 and are same as yours
you can see the amount of adjustment you have , the centre is the pivot pin ,
you can see the amount of adjustment you have , the centre is the pivot pin ,
