1971 Corvette Complete Headlight Assembly Installation
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: San Juan Puerto Rico
1971 Corvette Complete Headlight Assembly Installation
Hello to all.
I have a 1971 Corvette and I need to install the drivers side complete headlight assembly. How I can do that? Could I need to remove the nose?
I have a 1971 Corvette and I need to install the drivers side complete headlight assembly. How I can do that? Could I need to remove the nose?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
It is possible to install as a unit if all of the grilles and the frontal brackets and braces are removed first. However it might be just as fast to remove the headlight door from the support and reassemble on the header bar.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: San Juan Puerto Rico
Thanks for yor fast response.
Is it possible for you to provide me more details in how I can install the complete assembly as a unit? I removed the frontal brackets and the front grille. How I can install the base support with the complete assembly? Is it better to disassembly the headlight assembly, install the support and assembly the parts later?
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Wombvette:
Thanks for yor fast response.
Is it possible for you to provide me more details in how I can install the complete assembly as a unit? I removed the frontal brackets and the front grille. How I can install the base support with the complete assembly? Is it better to disassembly the headlight assembly, install the support and assembly the parts later?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for yor fast response.
Is it possible for you to provide me more details in how I can install the complete assembly as a unit? I removed the frontal brackets and the front grille. How I can install the base support with the complete assembly? Is it better to disassembly the headlight assembly, install the support and assembly the parts later?
Thanks in advance.
It is easy with the radiator support out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Due to the limited space you will be working in, I don't think the assembly can come out or go in as a complete unit.
My advice would be to remove the headlight door. With that out of the way, you can turn your attention to the headlight support. Installation of the replacement unit would be support first, door second.
The AIM will provide a reference, but will not be a How-To. Mask the paint around the headlight opening.
My advice would be to remove the headlight door. With that out of the way, you can turn your attention to the headlight support. Installation of the replacement unit would be support first, door second.
The AIM will provide a reference, but will not be a How-To. Mask the paint around the headlight opening.
Last edited by Easy Mike; May 15, 2011 at 11:16 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,197
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi c3,
I found that installing the support from the bottom and the door from the top; and then assembling them by reaching through the grill and bottom valance opening seems to be the most straight forward and safest way.
You need to protect the painted edges of the headlight door and fiberglass opening while doing this. It's VERY easy to chip the paint on both areas.
With the grill out and the headlight bezel off, it's pretty easy to get to the mechanism parts for adjustments.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I found that installing the support from the bottom and the door from the top; and then assembling them by reaching through the grill and bottom valance opening seems to be the most straight forward and safest way.
You need to protect the painted edges of the headlight door and fiberglass opening while doing this. It's VERY easy to chip the paint on both areas.
With the grill out and the headlight bezel off, it's pretty easy to get to the mechanism parts for adjustments.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
