News:

Due to a technical issue, some recently uploaded pictures have been lost. We are investigating why this happened but the issue has been resolved so that future uploads should be safe.  You can also Modify your post (MORE...) and re-upload the pictures in your post.

Main Menu

New here, -and a question...

Started by jjdavidson, January 25, 2020, 08:27:51 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

jjdavidson

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?

jdemerson

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
John Emerson
Middlebury, Vermont
CLC member #26790
1952 Series 6219X
http://bit.ly/21AGnvn

jjdavidson

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...

fishnjim

You might contact the "Modified Cadillac" forum with that.   They maybe more able to assist.   www.modifiedcadillac.org.   You may have to sign up.

cadillacmike68

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.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

chrisntam

Or, you could do this:

;D
1970 Deville Convertible 
Dallas, Texas

Cadman-iac

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
CLC# 32373
1956 Coupe Deville A/C car "Norma Jean"

Big Fins

Current:
1976 Eldorado Convertible in Crystal Blue FireMist with white interior and top. (Misty Blue)
1969 Fleetwood Brougham in Chalice Gold FireMist with matching interior and top. (The Old Man) SOLD!

Past and much missed:
1977 Brougham de Elegance
1976 Eldorado Convertible
1972 Fleetwood Brougham
1971 Sedan de Ville
1970 de Ville Convertible
1969 Sedan de Ville
1959 Sedan deVille

cadillacmike68

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.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

Cadman-iac

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
CLC# 32373
1956 Coupe Deville A/C car "Norma Jean"

MaR

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.

Scot Minesinger

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.
Fairfax Station, VA  22039 (Washington DC Sub)
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1970 four door Convertible w/Cadillac Warranty