Headlamp replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
Headlamp replacement
I have searched in the tech tips but with no luck. Is there an easy way to replace sealed beam headlamps on an 87 without disassembling the whole unit? According to my service manual it appears that this is the proceedure. This is obsurd! I would love to get my hands on the "genius" that designed this. No wonder GM is having trouble. With this type of "cracker jack" engineering it was just a matter of time before they went broke. 
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: 86 Convertible 4+3 Coronado, CA
On my 86, it took about ten minutes per headlight. The owner's manual procedure is correct...I found it easier to open the hood after rotating the headlamps to the halfway position:
1. pull headlight switch all the way out, and then quickly push in to the parking lights only detent to stop the housing in mid travel. This exposes the screws on the side of the headlight buckets.
2. remove two screws on each side of bucket.
3. remove the chrome headlight bezel...four screws. As the manual says, ensure you're not messing with the two alignment screws.
4. replace the bulb at the connector and reverse the procedure.
Good luck!
1. pull headlight switch all the way out, and then quickly push in to the parking lights only detent to stop the housing in mid travel. This exposes the screws on the side of the headlight buckets.
2. remove two screws on each side of bucket.
3. remove the chrome headlight bezel...four screws. As the manual says, ensure you're not messing with the two alignment screws.
4. replace the bulb at the connector and reverse the procedure.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
According to the "SHOP MANUAL" 
1.Remove the headlight bezel,by removing the four attaching screws
2.With a hooked tool,such as a cotter pin remover,pull the retaining spring to one side to release the headlight
3,rotate the right headlight clockwise to release it from the aiming pins.Rotate the left headlight counterclockwise to release it.
4.Remove the electrical connector.
5.Remove the retaining spring
6.Install the new sealed beam unit in the retaining ring and install it on the vehicle by reversing the previous procedure
1.Remove the headlight bezel,by removing the four attaching screws
2.With a hooked tool,such as a cotter pin remover,pull the retaining spring to one side to release the headlight
3,rotate the right headlight clockwise to release it from the aiming pins.Rotate the left headlight counterclockwise to release it.
4.Remove the electrical connector.
5.Remove the retaining spring
6.Install the new sealed beam unit in the retaining ring and install it on the vehicle by reversing the previous procedure
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I changed mine out and put in European Hella's . The whole procedure took less than 20 minutes... Just make sure you don't turn the wrong screws and mess up the aiming.
pull your car forward facing into the garage and turn on the lights. Put masking tape on the wall in the shape of a + to mark the center of each beam. If you do mess up the aim, you can readily re-aim if you have pre-marked the wall.
pull your car forward facing into the garage and turn on the lights. Put masking tape on the wall in the shape of a + to mark the center of each beam. If you do mess up the aim, you can readily re-aim if you have pre-marked the wall.
