changing head light bulb on 1937 Terraplane with original lens

karl

I think  I understand discussions on this topic but still can't get lens out. It pushes in but not enough to get the top out for credit card to get under it.  The chrome ring that  surrounds the lens is rusted. How do you remove the ring without damaging it? Karl

Jon B

First, are you sure that you have unscrewed the screw at the bottom of the headlight shell, far enough to allow the bottom of the lens to push inward and downward significantly?  In other words, you know what it feels like to try to push the lens in when you have NOT unscrewed the screw.  When you do unscrew it, do you feel a significant difference in how far the lens travels inward and downward?   (You may have only loosened the screw somewhat.)

Removal of the chrome ring is only to be done as an emergency measure, because you may not be able to replace it tightly.  To do it, loosen the bottom screw so you can partially press the glass inward, which exposes the hidden portion of the ring.  Being very careful so as not to chip the glass, see if you can get some tool into the opening that's opened up between the glass and the inside of the ring, and gently pull ouward on the ring. You might first use a very small, thin screwdriver as a pry bar on the outside of the ring, at the 6 o'clock position (this is where the joint in the ring is) to loosen the ring's grip on the edge of the headlamp shell.  Once it is no longer gripping the thickness of the steel shell, you can start to work it outwards and then work around the opening of the shell, gradually pulling the entire ring away from the metal until it is completely removed.

Do be careful not to bend the ring as you remove it.

Once the ring is off, the glass should be easily removed from the opening because the opening is much less constricted when the ring is gone.

Again: be sure to have plenty of pillows and towels sitting down on the bumper so it you fumble, the glass will not go crashing to the ground or floor beneath.




Naturally, if one has the correct FACTORY TOOL the process is effortless. ("Karl!  What  have you done with the toilet plunger?")