Headlight Lens Seals

'69Custom · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject: Headlight Lens Seals

I have a pair of aftermarket "66-style headlight asemblies with rubber that is about to fall apart.

I just ordered and received WW's seals for the lens to housing. I'm baffled no end how these things fit and actually stay on the lens.

THe ones I have that came with the assembly are thicker and have a groove that the outer edge of the lens tucks into nicely. WW's version is mostly flat, as is CIP1's. There is a slight wide depression in the center of the seal, but I just don't see how this thing will work. I want to be sure before I go taking my headlights out.

Any suggestions/info?

Thanks.
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1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well.

The_Codeman · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

kind of hard to explain .. but that little indent in the middle will go around the lip of the lens and the rest will fold over the front and back of the lens .
and the cip ones will last about 6 months ..
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lovethatconvertible · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject: Rubbber

X2 Stretch and fold so it looks like a U shape around the perimeter of the lens, once ya get you'll just go duh. Good luck PS it only goes on one way
Start on one end and work your way around evenly on both sides to the other end.

Raggedy Ragtop · Samba Member Joined: July 20, 2006 Posts: 88 Location: ABQ

Join the club, and don't feel bad! The "grooved" side will face (touch) the lense after you roll it over the edge of the lense. Place the lense between your knees (alot easier if you're seated ha,ha) and start rolling the edge over the side of the lense and keep going around the perimeter until it's seated. Don't worry about it coming off, 'cause it won't. It's amazingly easy if you don't freak out when you compare your aftermarket piece to the OG original or what's left of it! WW should send instructions with some of their products, oh well, GOOD LUCK! Shocked

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Dangermouse · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

When I did this I found it fitted a lot better if I put the groove side facing out rather than in; did I do it wrong?
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EverettB · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

My suggestion is to work on them inside your house on carpet, not in the garage on the concrete.

I also clean the glass afterward and assemble with clean gloves. I hate to assemble everything, turn on the headlights, and see fingerprints or grease.
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Raggedy Ragtop · Samba Member Joined: July 20, 2006 Posts: 88 Location: ABQ

'69Custom · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

My friends, I thank you. This is about as awkward as my last attempt to install the headlight to fender seals (that didn't go too well either).

I will take all of your input and keep it in mind when I go to install these seals. I need to pick up some new amber bulbs for them first.

The odd thing about this is that the seals that came with the aftermarket housings seems to me to be a flat out better design. Its thicker and has a deep groove the just tucks around the lip of the lens, much like the seal for the taillight base does. Very little stretching was involved, and they fit beautifully and held snug until the rubber started giving way less than a year later.
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well.

shifty6d · Samba Member Joined: November 24, 2005 Posts: 93

Here's a stupid noobie question. What happenes if you leave them out?

EverettB · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject:

Schwing · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:51 am Post subject:

I must have done it 100% wrong.
I fitted the rubber seal directly onto the fender then installed the lens. I installed it flat side facing the fender.

Hrrmmm, should I redo it?

andk5591 · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:54 am Post subject:

OK - there are 2 seals. The wide rubber (about 3/4" flat with some raised ridges) that goes around the glass. Then there is a thin with raised ridge that goes one the fender that he entire assyembly seals against. Both should be WW or equivilant.
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EverettB · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:20 am Post subject:

shifty6d · Samba Member Joined: November 24, 2005 Posts: 93

'69Custom · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

I couldn't get anywhere with that fender seal, so I'm only working with the lens seal right now. It's too bad these don't come with any instructions so that you have some idea how they look installed. When starting from scratch, there is no way to know how to begin, or how they're supposed to be installed. Confused

_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well.

Raul_MX · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:03 pm Post subject:

leave the seal a tad in the sun so it will be more stretchy... trust me,, its easier to put it on and wont snap in half!
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'69Custom · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject:

shifty6d · Samba Member Joined: November 24, 2005 Posts: 93

Yeah, that's the idea but there is no way in hell mine will go on and have room for the headlight assembly, might be because my fenders are aftermarket, but they are super tight/snug with no seal.

'69Custom · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

EverettB · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject:


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