c3 headlight assembly

**Chuck S.** · July 16, 2004, 11:24 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Dick, that "plate" is a complicated aluminum casting (breakable, handle with care) and is bolted to the steel structrual members in the front end using about five (?) 1/4-20 bolts if I remember correctly. The headlight assembly comes out as a unit...makes changing those door bearings a little easier.

I recommend you get a GM Chassis Service Manual or an Assembly Instruction Manual for 69. Either will be a big help for questions like this, but the AIM will be slightly more helpful in this case. As far as I know, both are available by clicking on the NCRS Store tab at the top of the page.

**Chuck S.** · July 16, 2004, 11:24 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Dick, that "plate" is a complicated aluminum casting (breakable, handle with care) and is bolted to the steel structrual members in the front end using about five (?) 1/4-20 bolts if I remember correctly. The headlight assembly comes out as a unit...makes changing those door bearings a little easier.

I recommend you get a GM Chassis Service Manual or an Assembly Instruction Manual for 69. Either will be a big help for questions like this, but the AIM will be slightly more helpful in this case. As far as I know, both are available by clicking on the NCRS Store tab at the top of the page.

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 09:30 AM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Dick The long sheet metal plate is riveted to the body. Their are four bolts holding the aluminum frame on each side. I would remove the painted cover and door then the unit. When parting out a car vendors remove the assembly for a complete part to sell. If the radiator is in the car it may not come out. Lyle

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 09:30 AM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Dick The long sheet metal plate is riveted to the body. Their are four bolts holding the aluminum frame on each side. I would remove the painted cover and door then the unit. When parting out a car vendors remove the assembly for a complete part to sell. If the radiator is in the car it may not come out. Lyle

**Chuck S.** · July 17, 2004, 11:40 AM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

You're right, Lyle. My mistake, Dick...I should have taken a look at the AIM to confirm my thoughts.

I have indeed seen complete headlight units for sell at swap meets, but the vendors must smash the fiberglass surround to get them out in one piece, or else they remove and reassembly them. After looking at this some more (my radiator was out when these frames removed), I'm not sure if the frames can be removed through the bottom front or not...you MAY be able to snake the frame out through the bottom if it is stripped.

Lyle has one important detail in error...there are FIVE bolts securing each frame...one on each front corner to the grille opening reinforcing angle, and THREE at the rear of the frame into the large reinforcing header that's riveted/bonded under the surround. At the rear of the frame, there is a bolt at each rear corner, plus one nearer to the center of the frame just outboard of the actuator. If you forget that center bolt, something will break before the frame comes out.

**Chuck S.** · July 17, 2004, 11:40 AM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

You're right, Lyle. My mistake, Dick...I should have taken a look at the AIM to confirm my thoughts.

I have indeed seen complete headlight units for sell at swap meets, but the vendors must smash the fiberglass surround to get them out in one piece, or else they remove and reassembly them. After looking at this some more (my radiator was out when these frames removed), I'm not sure if the frames can be removed through the bottom front or not...you MAY be able to snake the frame out through the bottom if it is stripped.

Lyle has one important detail in error...there are FIVE bolts securing each frame...one on each front corner to the grille opening reinforcing angle, and THREE at the rear of the frame into the large reinforcing header that's riveted/bonded under the surround. At the rear of the frame, there is a bolt at each rear corner, plus one nearer to the center of the frame just outboard of the actuator. If you forget that center bolt, something will break before the frame comes out.

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 02:18 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Chuck The older cars may have 5 bolts but by the time that they got to 73 they just used four bolts no center one. I keep thinking they all are alike and they are not. I don't have a 69 but would buy a nice one if it comes along. Lyle

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 02:18 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Chuck The older cars may have 5 bolts but by the time that they got to 73 they just used four bolts no center one. I keep thinking they all are alike and they are not. I don't have a 69 but would buy a nice one if it comes along. Lyle

**Chuck S.** · July 17, 2004, 02:34 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Lyle, I don't have a 69 either, but my 70 is a little closer. Many of the details are close on 68-72, but I should be more careful offering advice on cars away from my 70. Frequently, I forget all C3s not the same, but then, honest remarks offered sincerely is how we learn about cars different from our own.

Is the fifth hole still in the frame in 73, or did they just leave the bolt out?

**Chuck S.** · July 17, 2004, 02:34 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Lyle, I don't have a 69 either, but my 70 is a little closer. Many of the details are close on 68-72, but I should be more careful offering advice on cars away from my 70. Frequently, I forget all C3s not the same, but then, honest remarks offered sincerely is how we learn about cars different from our own.

Is the fifth hole still in the frame in 73, or did they just leave the bolt out?

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 03:11 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Chuck I will need to check an original. I just took a rusty one to the landfill after saving it for years. I could use it now but when cleaning up that rusted out part had to go. The replacements would have it as that part fits alot of shark cars. Lyle

**Lyle Chamberlain** · July 17, 2004, 03:11 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Chuck I will need to check an original. I just took a rusty one to the landfill after saving it for years. I could use it now but when cleaning up that rusted out part had to go. The replacements would have it as that part fits alot of shark cars. Lyle

**Dennis D.** · July 18, 2004, 06:19 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Just put my assemblies back in my 70. I went through the top in front of the radiator(no need to remove it). I did remove the front end nose support rod and I already had the "U" shaped center bumper support out. This clears the way for you to swing through the center of the nose to install. Wrap the edge of the housing and the opening with tape. You can't help but rub a little. Good luck

**Dennis D.** · July 18, 2004, 06:19 PM

Re: c3 headlight assembly

Just put my assemblies back in my 70. I went through the top in front of the radiator(no need to remove it). I did remove the front end nose support rod and I already had the "U" shaped center bumper support out. This clears the way for you to swing through the center of the nose to install. Wrap the edge of the housing and the opening with tape. You can't help but rub a little. Good luck

c3 headlight assembly

c3 headlight assembly

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