| Author |
Message |
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
Thank you, Everett.
Now I know for certain I understand the lens gasket (we'll see how the install goes).
That fender/housing gasket looks nothing like the one I bought. I need to look into that. Seeing yours though, it makes sense.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case  |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 71653
Location: Phoenix 602
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Think I got it figured out, Everett. Thanks.
Turns out my "housing to fender seal" was actually just a very cheap CIP1 version of the headlight lens seal.
Now I have to get the right one from WW. Damn, and I just got an order from them yesterday.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
| Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16804
Location: State College, PA
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had a hell of a time with a cheaper fender seal - could not get the buckets to seat right. Got a set from WW and went on like "buttah"....
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone 1914. Ex wifes car.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Ex-wifes car.
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pOrk
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2011
Posts: 339
Location: Wauwatosa, Wi
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
Holy hell I read this thread and asked my wife for a hand and this is much easier with a second pair of hands. Took 10 seconds per lense with her help.
Thanks guys |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
teufelwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 11:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Raggedy Ragtop wrote: |
| Dangermouse wrote: |
| 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? |
Now that I think about it, (did it over a year ago) I'm not completely sure which side of the ring touches the glass. I thought it was the ribbed or grooved side. Anyway, I guess the important thing is that the rubber is a u-shaped channel around the edge of the lense when you're finished. Sure hope I haven't confused anyone, but if so, a call to WW's tech support would surely be helpful. 951.549.0525  |
OK... I just ran into this, 65 bug, rebuilding my buckets and installing Hella halogens.
I *think* - I'm pretty sure now - the lens gasket goes on with the "groove" in the
center facing *outward*. The seal just folds around the lens really easily that way (though
you'd sort of expect it to go the other way). It *is* possible to get it to go on the other
(wrong) way if you're willing to fight with it long enough.
Also... the (original Hella!!) seals that I've got, have two small "ribs" on one side of the
seal and those I'm pretty sure are supposed to be on the outside of the outer edge of the
lens. I think they're designed to provide a better seal against the ring, which is sort of
irregular. The edge of the seal that has no ribbing, goes between the lens and the bucket
which both have completely flat regular sealing surfaces and don't need the ribbing to make
the assembly seal up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bugandxbandme
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2009
Posts: 162
Location: Richmond, VA
|
| Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My headlights have no seals at all, fenders or lenses.I found this out when I took them apart to clean all the dirt out of the housings. I guess that explains the dirt...whoever put my car together last wasn't really into details, I guess.
At least I found this thread, so I know how to install them now:D |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
teufelwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 10:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
FWIW...
There is also a special rubber drain plug valve whatchamacallit thingumbob that is supposed
to go in the hole in the bottom of the bucket, to let water drain out without letting dirt and
water come back up off the road into the headlight bucket. Those are usually missing too...
I got some from West Coast Metric |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 11:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
| teufelwagen wrote: |
FWIW...
There is also a special rubber drain plug valve whatchamacallit thingumbob that is supposed
to go in the hole in the bottom of the bucket, to let water drain out without letting dirt and
water come back up off the road into the headlight bucket. Those are usually missing too...
I got some from West Coast Metric |
Those have always seemed incredibly worthless to me. Once installed, they create a raised lip inside the bucket around the drain hole, basically a dam. It's a bit difficult for water to escape through there then should any get inside.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
| Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
teufelwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2010
Posts: 4
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 1:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| '69Custom wrote: |
| teufelwagen wrote: |
FWIW...
There is also a special rubber drain plug valve whatchamacallit thingumbob that is supposed
to go in the hole in the bottom of the bucket, to let water drain out without letting dirt and
water come back up off the road into the headlight bucket. Those are usually missing too...
I got some from West Coast Metric |
Those have always seemed incredibly worthless to me. Once installed, they create a raised lip inside the bucket around the drain hole, basically a dam. It's a bit difficult for water to escape through there then should any get inside. |
Well, they're *supposedly* designed not to do that... there's a slot in them
at the bottom inside the bucket that's supposed to keep the drain from just being
a plug.
But whether they *work* or not, is another question... Ask Adolf, it was HIS
idea. Those headlights with all their spring clips, seals, spacers, plugs, screws,
and left tertiary vernier adjustment calibration doomaflodgets, look to me to
be exactly where Adolf ran into a bottle of Schnapps... I mean, what a kludged
up mess, just to put headlights on a car. I've heard that's why the Germans
lost the war - Too many parts in their war machines... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
philheese
Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2005
Posts: 60
Location: Homestead, Fl.
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject: Headlights |
|
|
| The seals weren't a big problem, but those damn springs. The first light was a challenge, but I got it. The second, I couldn't get four to stay in the bezel, but three would stay. Hopefully three will hold it. :. Any feedback on that? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Headlights |
|
|
| philheese wrote: |
| The seals weren't a big problem, but those damn springs. The first light was a challenge, but I got it. The second, I couldn't get four to stay in the bezel, but three would stay. Hopefully three will hold it. :. Any feedback on that? |
Yeah. Temporarily.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
| Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BruceJ
Samba Member
Joined: June 16, 2009
Posts: 260
Location: Portland, ME
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
I rebuilt the headlight buckets for my '65 Beetle today. The seals that go around the lenses were a piece of cake. But the assembly to fender seals are killing me! What I've got:
1. Aftermarket fenders (I know, I know. But I do not live in California. Had to settle for what I could get).
2. Wolfsburg West seals.
3. OG assembly.
Unit fits nice, tight, and snug to fender, without the seal. But with the seal, it simply! WILL! NOT! GO!
Options, as I see them:
1. Cut seal to make it fit.
2. Run without seal.
3. Never drive in the rain.
4. Move to California.
Most practically, I'm thinking about #2. Again, the lens is sealed against the assembly properly, we're just talking about the assembly to fender seal. And I have the little rubber drain tubes in place.
Also, I found that if I tuck the seals into the assembly itself before attaching the assembly to the car, it fits nicely. But I know this isn't the right way of doing things, so this is why I'm asking -- help? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
5. Tweak your aftermarket fender flange so the seal fits.
Running without a proper seal will allow for all kinds of yuckiness to invade your bucket: dust, moisture, bugs, illegal aliens... I'd also trim the seal before going without if it came down to that. You do already have it.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
| Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BruceJ
Samba Member
Joined: June 16, 2009
Posts: 260
Location: Portland, ME
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| '69Custom wrote: |
5. Tweak your aftermarket fender flange so the seal fits.
|
Hadn't thought about the tweakage option. Think I'll give it a try. You mean like slight tweakage with, say, a pair of pliers to the lip of the bucket on the fender? Go round and round gradually until it just fits? Cover jaws of pliers with a thick cloth to minimize paint damage? (Note to self: next time, check headlight fit before paint.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
'69Custom
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2008
Posts: 2497
Location: Ventura, California
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| BruceJ wrote: |
| '69Custom wrote: |
5. Tweak your aftermarket fender flange so the seal fits.
|
Hadn't thought about the tweakage option. Think I'll give it a try. You mean like slight tweakage with, say, a pair of pliers to the lip of the bucket on the fender? Go round and round gradually until it just fits? Cover jaws of pliers with a thick cloth to minimize paint damage? (Note to self: next time, check headlight fit before paint.) |
Exactly!
I just did away with aftermarket front fenders where the bucket lip was terribly crimped. At first, even the headlight alone wouldn't seat properly. And because the entire lip area was sharp metal, I never ran the seals because of tearing. I've experienced all the problems you are and those I ran down above.
_________________
-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.
| tham64 wrote: |
| Why tune a big round again and again????? For me.... 1 hour will solve the case |
www.endlesscustomz.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gary Haberman
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2013
Posts: 72
Location: Farmingdale, NY
|
| Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tried putting in the headlight to fender seal and could not figure it out-then I found this thread which advised placing the smooth side toward the fender-however, by playing with the gasket for 20 minutes, I ended up stretching it so much it no longer fit-luckily I had purchased 2 (one for the other headlight) and put it in right the first time and it fit. Had to add a headlight seal to my WW list. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
keegs
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2020
Posts: 98
Location: ME
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:14 am Post subject: Re: Headlight Lens Seals |
|
|
Link
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Frederik
Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2007
Posts: 604
Location: Sweden
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Headlight Lens Seals |
|
|
Correct installation of the lens seal. The ridge goes to the back of the lens towards the bucket to seal better. New Hella seals has the ridge, but I think many of the aftermarket don't have it. Last aftermarket "no name" seals I bought dried out and cracked in less than 1/2 a year so I now stay away from them.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
keegs
Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2020
Posts: 98
Location: ME
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Headlight Lens Seals |
|
|
Thanks for that image... makes it pretty clear how to attach the seal.
I've been using a 3M rubber seal conditioner product to freshen up the running board mats, the seals around the engine tins...etc. I'll try applying some of the conditioner to the headlight seal as well. Maybe it'll help it some. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
