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How do you take apart 1937 headlights?

Started by Stinson, May 30, 2012, 08:42:29 PM

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Stinson

I have purchased a replacement set of 1937 Cadillac headlights that I want to take apart, rewire, and have the buckets chrome plated. I have removed one of the lenses and set aside the two wire retainer clips and etc. There are three tension clips attached to the outide perimeter of the inner bucket that mounts the inner bucket to the outside bucket or shell. If I gently pry one of these clips up the inner bucket tends to separate from the shell. How do you get all six ends of these three clips to disengage at the same time so the buckets will separate and come apart?
Thank you,
Ty
Stinson
CLC22330
Ty Stinson
'37 Cad 8519 Touring Sedan V12
CLC22330

Tom Beaver

Ty,
You might want to look at the article on restoring headlights in the "Torque-Tube", the 1937 and 1938 Buick club newsletter. http://www.1937and1938buicks.com/  On the opening web page in the left hand column click on "The Torque Tube".  This brings up a list of all of the back issues.  Go down to Volume XVI Issue 6 (July/August 1998).  Click on this and it will open up a PDF file of that issue.  On page 18 under "Technical Tips" is an extensive article on disassembly, repair and assembly of essentially GM headlights for 1937 and 1938.

There is an index for all these issues, which are all on line, and I have found them very valuable as their Technical Tips section has lots of things that apply to Cadillacs and LaSalles as well as Buicks.  The club certainly has an excellent newsletter.

Tom Beaver

Tom Beaver

Glen

That is a great source of info.  Thanks for that link. 
Glen Houlton CLC #727 
CLCMRC benefactor #104

Steve Passmore

Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

Stinson

Hello Tom,
Thank you for this outstanding information source. I note that I can purchase replacement parts from Don Axelrod as mentioned in the 1998 document - he is the very same man I purchased the headlights from this year.
Ty Stinson
CLC22330
Ty Stinson
'37 Cad 8519 Touring Sedan V12
CLC22330