Headlight conversion
You are not currently logged in. Login to myAccount   Forgot Your Login?   SignUp For a Free Account
 
Sell Your StreetRod FAST!-Help-Contact Us
Quick Search:
Headlight conversion
Posted: November 20 2006 10:55 PM
 
Tom Dowd (aka TomDowd) [ View ] [ heartbeat39@earthlink.net ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Bothell, Washington
(425) 920-5371
 

Hi All, As always when I need help I come here and you all are a wealth of knowledge and always willing to help a fellow rodder.This time I am looking at updating my headlights on my 39 Chevy Sedan to a sealed beam type. I find all of these headlights but no kits etc. How would you mount the sealed beam in the existing housing? I have seen the Hagen french kits but I don't want them frenched. Any ideas?





Thanks in advance,Tom

 
 
Comments
 
Posted by MasterDeluxe  -  11/19/2006 10:41 AM
I don't know whether this will help you or not.It's what worked for me on my 39 chev.I saw an article in " Street Rod Builder ",probably in 2005.They use a reproduction bucket from an original Minni Cooper.I found them on the web at a bussiness called " Minni Mania ".They are made out of a poly type material.I used the Hella 7" round headlites.When I put the When I put the rim or ring back on because I had the new headlights aimed high the rim would not fit on right.I ended up taking it to a well known shop in Pa.What they did was throw out the real thick rubber gasket that came with the buckets and in the rubbers place used sicon seal.Also to get more room they shaved the back of the bucket I guess on a belt sander.I also got rid of the slot head bolts that hold the rim together .I went with Allen socket head stainless bolts and used ball head Allen wrenches.Any questions,e mail me.
MasterDeluxe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Runnemede, New Jersey Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by Willys33  -  11/19/2006 11:23 AM
Jim, good point about switching to H4. Had those in the Willys but was not happy with them because to change a bulb required disassembling everything which would break the seal. I went to the junkyard and got some sockets for the 9004 bulb, trimmed them and JB Welded them to the back of the headlight bucket. The bulb goes in from the back with an O-ring and then a cover with an O-ring clamps tight holding everything in place. No leaks! This system does not work well with external headlight buckets and using the original lens with 1930s technology doesn't help much either.
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by Willys33  -  11/18/2006 04:46 PM
Tom, Doesn't the ring come off and the guts drop out then a sealed beam unit slips in? Maybe you need to go to a junkyard and pick up a set of inner retaining rings (from an older standard 7" headlight). Do you now have a 6 or 12 volt system?
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by TomDowd  -  11/18/2006 05:18 PM
Yes willys33 it is 12V system and streetrodded.I will try the junk yard idea,tks.
TomDowd [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Bothell, Washington
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  11/19/2006 09:20 AM

Tom.......if the silver is good in the reflector, go to your local Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. Get H4 quartz Halogen blue bulbs. At same time pick up dual filament conversion for running light socket. That will give you running lights plus turn signals. Must use amber bulb.



Fun with old cars, Jim
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by TomDowd  -  11/20/2006 10:55 PM

As always you all are great thank you for the great ideas!



Tom
TomDowd [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Bothell, Washington
 
Posted by ronhotrod  -  11/19/2006 08:19 PM

just shop for a 50's model headlight bucket and trim the edges so it fits the '39 headlght bullet. then simply screw it to the housing and put the sealed beam in same as on the 50's car. I've done this many times in the past.



We do stock a complete halogen change over for,the original reflector as mentioned here before. it simply attaches to the stock stuff and comes with the new wiring plug.



Haga also offers a kit that is NOT a french kit but a conversion unit. but it requires you use their trim rings which I don't care for, but you might
ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001
 
Back To Top
Please Login or Register to Comment
Existing Member? Sign In.
New Visitor? Click Here to Get Started!
 
Existing Member but forgot your Login Information? Click Here.