Changing Headlight Bulbs On A '69
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
Changing Headlight Bulbs On A '69
My manual is stored with the car, so I don't have it in front of me, and I am curious what kind of job changing a burned out headlight is? Now, to give a little background, I am not very handy with a set of tools, but I feel like I may have the ability to do a few easy things to save money for all the stuff that I will eventually need that I can't do. My car is very correct and original, and my fiber optics work, so I don't want to attempt anything that's beyond my capabilities, but if it's a matter of a few screws and an easy plug or something, maybe I can do it myself. I'm going to get a set of repro T-3s, so I am considering replacing at least the two low beams, if not the whole set, though only one low beam is out. I figure I want equal light coming from both low beams, and since I don't know how old the lights in there are, there's a chance that the newer repro will give more light, which will look weird if the older one is dimmer. Anyone with some thoughts on this issue, it would be appreciated. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Most likely you have halogen bulbs now and they work well. Its easy to change and you should do both sides!
Put the lights in the up position and unscrew 4 bolts holding the fiberglass light cover. 2 on either side and 2 that screw into the front top of the cover. The top ones are small and don't lose them!
Take cover off by wiggling it forward.
Each bulb has 3 Philips head machine screws that hold the headlight bulb retainer ring. They are small and a little rust. Take them out ,pull the bulb, unplug the back and reverse to install.
Do not kill the screws!!! Just snug
Put the lights in the up position and unscrew 4 bolts holding the fiberglass light cover. 2 on either side and 2 that screw into the front top of the cover. The top ones are small and don't lose them!
Take cover off by wiggling it forward.
Each bulb has 3 Philips head machine screws that hold the headlight bulb retainer ring. They are small and a little rust. Take them out ,pull the bulb, unplug the back and reverse to install.
Do not kill the screws!!! Just snug
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
The screws are small and into aluminum so they can be "fused" easily.
Also the screws in the headlamp rings are very small and frequently rusted in, this combined with being phillips makes for easily stripped.
Give all screws a good shot of PB blaster (liquid wrench, etc) and let it work.
Also, putting a location in your profile may lead to someone /some club in your area that might like to help out here and there.
Forgot to mention, there are two screws on each lamp that adjust the aim of the headlamp, don't touch those two
you can see them (sort of) on here
At the top (bottom of the picture) and on the side outsides of each lamp
The smaller screws holding the lamp ring are noticeable different. One is shown on the bottom (top of the picture)
Just beside the spring near the middle of the picture
Mooser
Last edited by Mooser; Jun 26, 2013 at 07:31 PM.
