Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: jjdavidson on January 25, 2020, 08:27:51 AM

Title: New here, -and a question...
Post by: jjdavidson on January 25, 2020, 08:27:51 AM
Hi all! Glad i found this forum, you have such huge knowhow about Cadillac... I'm nearly 60, from Finland, and allways liked Cadillac cars  :) :)

I wonder if it possible to modify -78 Eldorado's front from square lights to round ones. What parts i need?
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: jdemerson on January 25, 2020, 09:39:56 AM
Hi Jarmo,

Welcome!  I can appreciate why you might prefer the round headlight style, but I think the change will be expensive.

The last year that Eldorado had round headlights was 1974. The headlights for 1971-1974 Eldorado were all round, sitting in a rectangular housing with bright metal (chrome?) surround.  Someone here will be able to say whether the change is feasible and/or complicated. But I would think the best option would be to adapt the units from 1974 or earlier.

Good luck and keep us posted.
John

1952 Cadillac sedan 6219X
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: jjdavidson on January 25, 2020, 11:02:18 AM
Quote from: jdemerson on January 25, 2020, 09:39:56 AM
Hi Jarmo,

Welcome!  I can appreciate why you might prefer the round headlight style, but I think the change will be expensive.

The last year that Eldorado had round headlights was 1974. The headlights for 1971-1974 Eldorado were all round, sitting in a rectangular housing with bright metal (chrome?) surround.  Someone here will be able to say whether the change is feasible and/or complicated. But I would think the best option would be to adapt the units from 1974 or earlier.

Good luck and keep us posted.
John

1952 Cadillac sedan 6219X
Thanks, that was my  original plan. but do older parts fit easily, i can't compare...
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: fishnjim on January 25, 2020, 04:02:26 PM
You might contact the "Modified Cadillac" forum with that.   They maybe more able to assist.   www.modifiedcadillac.org.   You may have to sign up.
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: cadillacmike68 on January 25, 2020, 06:07:59 PM
1973 or 1974 would be easier since the hood was the same from 1973 to 78, The hood will not need changing but all the front end trim parts will likely need replacement. The grill may or may not need replacement.
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: chrisntam on January 25, 2020, 08:24:18 PM
Or, you could do this:

;D
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: Cadman-iac on January 25, 2020, 10:03:45 PM
Jarmo,

Something to consider when you attempt this swap is the spacing between the headlights. The 4 square and the 4 round may not have the same adjuster locations due to the shape of the bulbs.
You may have to swap the radiator support,  or core support as it's sometimes called.
Another thing is how the grille and headlamp surround moldings fit at the bumper.  The '73 and '74 are the only ones with round lights and have the 5 MPH crunch bumper. The '71 and '72, although they have round lights,  they also have a solid mounted bumper.
And as someone before me has said, the hoods are different for '71 and '72. I think you'll find that the headlamp bezels and surrounds will also be different.
Not having the different cars side by side for comparison makes figuring out what will work and what won't very difficult.
You might want to just find the year car you want instead of trying to make the car you want. Being where you are, any mistakes/miscalculations could get costly.
Just some food for thought.

Rick
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: Big Fins on January 26, 2020, 06:13:00 AM
Quote from: chrisntam on January 25, 2020, 08:24:18 PM
Or, you could do this:

;D

Chris, that is just wrong on all accounts.
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: cadillacmike68 on January 26, 2020, 07:27:48 PM
Quote from: Cadman-iac on January 25, 2020, 10:03:45 PM
Jarmo,

Something to consider when you attempt this swap is the spacing between the headlights. The 4 square and the 4 round may not have the same adjuster locations due to the shape of the bulbs.
You may have to swap the radiator support,  or core support as it's sometimes called.
Another thing is how the grille and headlamp surround moldings fit at the bumper.  The '73 and '74 are the only ones with round lights and have the 5 MPH crunch bumper. The '71 and '72, although they have round lights,  they also have a solid mounted bumper.
And as someone before me has said, the hoods are different for '71 and '72. I think you'll find that the headlamp bezels and surrounds will also be different.
Not having the different cars side by side for comparison makes figuring out what will work and what won't very difficult.
You might want to just find the year car you want instead of trying to make the car you want. Being where you are, any mistakes/miscalculations could get costly.
Just some food for thought.

Rick

He is going to need a complete set of 1973-74 headlight surrounds, bezels, adjuster cups, etc. That's what I referred to as "trim pieces" above.

Then there are the fender to bumper fillers which may or may not cross over - probably not.
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: Cadman-iac on January 27, 2020, 11:51:50 AM
Quote from: cadillacmike68 on January 26, 2020, 07:27:48 PM


He is going to need a complete set of 1973-74 headlight surrounds, bezels, adjuster cups, etc. That's what I referred to as "trim pieces" above.

Then there are the fender to bumper fillers which may or may not cross over - probably not.

You're right. I don't have a complete 72 Eldo parts car,  mine was picked over alot before I got it and the whole grille and headlight assemblies were already gone and
I couldn't recall exactly how the front end was built.  My apologies for any confusion I may have caused.
Rick
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: MaR on January 27, 2020, 03:11:19 PM
To do the swap "correctly" you will need the entire front end including the radiator shell and the front bumper. All of the front end parts are different between the 73-74 models and the 75-78 models.
Title: Re: New here, -and a question...
Post by: Scot Minesinger on January 28, 2020, 06:10:46 PM
Another expense is that by making this change, the value of the car will be lowered.  This may not matter and of course it is your car to do what you like, I have.  It might be less costly to buy a 1974 Eldorado and sell the 78.