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Headlight opening reinforcement

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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 08:04 AM
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Default Headlight opening reinforcement

I now estimate I have 60 hours in on sandblasting the body and doing all the fiberglass repairs on my car. I am using as much glass and resin as possible and minimizing the filler. I was told to do it that way and I began skeptically. But it's like anything else once you learn how it isn't that bad and can be done.

Anyway soon I will be working on the openings for the headlights. All of the reinforcement arouond the openings is missing from mine. Can anyone guide me on what I should do to adequately fix this? What should it look like? I am not interested in correctness but more in reliability. I can figure something out but am concerned that what ever I do will interfere with the proper movement of the headlights.
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 08:52 AM
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They are just little angle shaped length of fiberglass down both sides of the opening. They do have a little shape. Not exactly straight, but you could use straight ones. Fairly easy to make.
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by wombvette
They are just little angle shaped length of fiberglass down both sides of the opening. They do have a little shape. Not exactly straight, but you could use straight ones. Fairly easy to make.
I assume that the top and bottom are supported by the header and nose bars?

Are the side ones about 1/4" to 3/8" angle? I think I can buy 1/4" x 1" wide fiberglass bar and just epoxy it in.
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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AW,
The fiberglass 'angle' reinforcements on my 71 headlight openings are close to 1" in each direction. Also, the exact placement of them is critical so they don't interfere with the headlight support assemblies. The 1 to the center of the car is quite close to the headlight opening, but the other 1 is further away from opening in order to clear the outside of the support.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Sep 2, 2008 | 10:20 PM
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AWilson, IM sent.

Ralph.
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Old Sep 4, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
AW,
The fiberglass 'angle' reinforcements on my 71 headlight openings are close to 1" in each direction. Also, the exact placement of them is critical so they don't interfere with the headlight support assemblies. The 1 to the center of the car is quite close to the headlight opening, but the other 1 is further away from opening in order to clear the outside of the support.
Regards,
Alan
This is good information but then creates another question. If the reinforcement does not go to the edge of the opening, then I assume the edges also have a small lip on them?
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Old Sep 4, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by rponfick
AWilson, IM sent.

Ralph.
Ralph, I have replied, thanks!
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Old Sep 4, 2008 | 04:12 PM
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AW,
Yes, there is a small...1/4"... lip on the perimeter of the headlight opening.
Regards,
Alan
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