Inside a 30s bullet headlight

bob ward

For those contemplating removing the glass from a bullet headlight for the first time. As well as knowing the procedure, a topic covered here fairly regularly, it might demystify the process a little by knowing what is inside the headlight, knowing what you are dealing with.
The first photo is the back of the reflector, the second photo is of the bucket and how the reflector fits into it. The pivot points are what the reflector rotates around when you press the top of the glass in.
As always the most important part of removing the glass is to first cover the work area with cushions and quilts.

bob ward

Update, this is a 36 H & T headlight, the details are specific to 36 only.

Jon B

The 1937 reflector is very similar, but the bucket has no flange like the one shown here for the 1936.  Instead of the flange, there are loose spring retainers at the locations of the two square holes ("springs go in these holes") and one loose tab retainer at the 6:00 position of the bucket opening.  These retainers are held in place by the stainless steel ring around the perimeter of the opening of the headlight bucket, and are easily removed.  

Incidentally, in both the 1936 and 1937 headlights, the reflector is locked into place by a vertical machine screw at the 6:00 position which enters a threaded hole in the bucket and continues up to engage that little hole shown in the screw tab (top picture).  Once the screw has entered the hole, the tab and reflector are firmly held in place in the bucket.  The lens (not shown) fits snugly within the stainless steel ring and is held at its top and bottom edge (the left and right sides of the lens are actually narrower than the opening in the stainless ring).  When the reflector is firmly in place, it holds the lens.

Fortunately, LED headlight bulbs are available that perfectly fit the 1930's sockets.

Old Fogey UK

No matter what, bitter personal experience prevents me from changing my view that the system of lens retention used in 1934 and 1935 must have been devised by a complete moron - or by the lens manufacturers as a ploy to sell more replacement lenses !
There is absolutely no argument in its favour. It adds nothing to the look of the headlights and is no more streamlined than headlights with detachable rims.
From what I read above about later years, things are  equally as daft.
Even as a dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast for 1930s American cars, I have to concede  that the Europeans got it right in avoiding this way of doing things.
 I may rightly  be accused of being a clumsy mutt having broken 3 lenses on my Hudson but, in my defence, I've never broken a lens whilst removing or installing it on the 1930s British and French cars I've owned !

bob ward

Agreed, the system is a complete PITA, clever but too clever for the real world, that's probably why it was used for only a few years.
But it is what it is, we are where we are, you have to play the cards you're dealt etc etc more platitudes/wise sayings etc etc.

Old Fogey UK

Quite right, Bob, but I just can't forgive myself for breaking all those lenses !  :'(
I have a friend with a 37 Terraplane who's scared to take his rear lenses out because they fit in the same way.
Funnily enough, I've never had a problem with getting the rear lenses in and out ! 

dholck

You guys are not making me feel good ...I've been wanting to try some new LED bulbs - even bought the bulbs - but have not wanted to take apart those original 1934 headlights (even though I have a few spare lenses).  Even the restoration shop that put together and installed that set of rebuilt original headlights (after removing the 1936 'bullet' headlights with sealed beams that I had on there) do not want to mess with it.

What I see here is an OPPORTUNITY for one of you fabrication-savvy and talented people to fabricate some kind of "fix" for that lens retaining system.  Why, you might well become a hundredaire from something like that!

PS; I still have those 36 bullet headlights if somebody needs them. As seen on attached photo from 2006 of my car. Also still have the 17" wires and wide-whites (I went to 16s).

ken1962

Funny but I found that I had more confidence removing the lens when I at first cracked the lens by accident and needed to have a go. If I stuffed it up the lens was knackered anyway. It popped out and I popped it back in and out till I was confident to do it with the new one. I did find that the sound of the glass sharding/cracking around the edges is really off putting though. My only recommendation is you try it with a new lens handy just incase. I'd never try it with no backup lens. I've bought a new one boxed and waiting the day I need to brave it out again cheers ken 

Jon B

My first secret is to remove the thin stainless steel rim from the edge of the bucket opening.  It peels out and can be peeled back in.  Once it's out, the opening is ample, and the reflector and lens can be removed with ease.

The second secret is using a plastic credit card between the lens edge and the stainless steel rim, to ease the glass out of the opening.

My third secret is padding. Plenty of pillows and blankets draped over the fender and  bumper, beneath the headlight.

Old Fogey UK

   dholck said:

You guys are not making me feel good ...I've been wanting to try some new LED bulbs - even bought the bulbs - but have not wanted to take apart those original 1934 headlights (even though I have a few spare lenses).  Even the restoration shop that put together and installed that set of rebuilt original headlights (after removing the 1936 'bullet' headlights with sealed beams that I had on there) do not want to mess with it.

What I see here is an OPPORTUNITY for one of you fabrication-savvy and talented people to fabricate some kind of "fix" for that lens retaining system.  Why, you might well become a hundredaire from something like that!

PS; I still have those 36 bullet headlights if somebody needs them. As seen on attached photo from 2006 of my car. Also still have the 17" wires and wide-whites (I went to 16s).

Good luck from me !

I agree with everyone who says put down plenty of padding. Having a helper on hand to catch the lens if it slips through your fingers is a good idea too.

I won't touch the headlights now without Mrs Old Fogey alongside me - if she fails to catch it, I can blame her !

If someone comes up with a fix, count me in on buying it because I've only got one spare lens left now !