1972 headlight door gap adjustment when closed
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3
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1972 headlight door gap adjustment 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 individual headlight door when closed. (ie. the drivers side headlight door has equal sized gaps on the left and right side of that individual headlight 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 (about 3/16" each - to match the gap on the sides and appear more centered). i have looked at 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 (level with the body), and side-to-side for good gaping on the sides, but nothing showing me how to adjust the front and rear gap of each closed individual 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 (about 3/16" each - to match the gap on the sides and appear more centered). i have looked at 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 (level with the body), and side-to-side for good gaping on the sides, but nothing showing me how to adjust the front and rear gap of each closed individual headlight door for equal gaping.
can you help me or post a potential web site where i can go?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Hi Alan , I have a similar problem be it only an 1/8" or so. I see in your pics the bearing with the 4 bolts, when you loosen them off is the bolt hole bigger than the bolts so the bearing can be turned slightly either front or back ?
Also I thought there were rubber? bumper stops that could be adjusted to limit how far the door closes, my problem is with the front of the headlight assembly higher than the body when closed.
Also I thought there were rubber? bumper stops that could be adjusted to limit how far the door closes, my problem is with the front of the headlight assembly higher than the body when closed.
Last edited by MotorHead; Apr 6, 2017 at 11:56 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MH,
The 3 (yes 3) holes in the headlight frame for the pivot bearing's bolts are oversized to allow for some adjustment of the bearing's position before the bolts are all tightened.
This adjustment is intended to establish the door to opening gaps.
The center adjustment in the mechanism raises and lowers the door to establish it's 'closed' position relative to the opening in the surround. If you're unable to achieve the 'flush' transition you desire you may have to shim the frame itself at it's two forward mounting points just to the rear of the bumper
The long arm with the adjustable bumper is used to control the doors 'open' position.
Regards,
Alan
The 3 bolts. Typical for each side.
Here's the location of the adjustment used to bring the door flush with the surround when closed. It's a very small socket.
The 3 (yes 3) holes in the headlight frame for the pivot bearing's bolts are oversized to allow for some adjustment of the bearing's position before the bolts are all tightened.
This adjustment is intended to establish the door to opening gaps.
The center adjustment in the mechanism raises and lowers the door to establish it's 'closed' position relative to the opening in the surround. If you're unable to achieve the 'flush' transition you desire you may have to shim the frame itself at it's two forward mounting points just to the rear of the bumper
The long arm with the adjustable bumper is used to control the doors 'open' position.
Regards,
Alan
The 3 bolts. Typical for each side.
Here's the location of the adjustment used to bring the door flush with the surround when closed. It's a very small socket.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 6, 2017 at 12:44 PM.
