C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

[Joel T.]

Hi All;

I'm rebuilding my headlight motors.. the left hand one had a badly worn pot metal gear... In digging into this, I found that the left headlight bucket was hanging up, rubbing against the nose. Taking off the headlight fascia, I can see where the rubbing is coming from. I can also see that the bucket (no motor attached) has considerable side to side play. My guess is that if I could get the bucket adjusted to be closer to center my rubbing problem would go away.. and that the motor, once rebuilt would probably last much longer... My guess is that it was this rubbing which contributed to the worn gear.

Question... How do I get that headlight bucket adjusted to where I want it and eliminate the side to side free play?

BTW, this is my 1963 I am talking about...

Thanks!!

Joel

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

There is a locking collar with a set screw on the outside, and the Y-Stop on the inside. These will allow movement and location side to side. But, if that thing hasn't been into in a long time, good luck.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

Joel -

See pages 12-7 and 12-8 in the '63 Shop Manual for detailed instructions on fitting the panels. In your Assembly Manual, UPC 12, sheets A2 and A3, note item #5 spacer with the setscrew on sheet A2 - the lateral position of that spacer on the shaft determines how far inboard the panel moves in the opening. The lateral position of item #33 Y-stop on sheet A3 determines how far outboard the panel moves in the opening. Center the panel in the opening and adjust the spacer and Y-stop as required to keep it there while still pivoting freely.

[Rich P.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

Joe,

Wayne and John have you in the right direction. I just wanted to add that when adusting the side to side play start with the inner Y-stop now take 3 squeeges (thats a body mans term for what you get to spread body filler) and tape one the inboard side to give you a tighter gap than you want next take the other2 and on the outbord side of the headlight put the tapered ends facing each other and slide them together to wedge the headlight to the middle. Now tighten the Y-stop against the bearing housing. Now take one of the squeeges from the out board side and wedge it on the inboard side to move the headlight outwards. Now tighten the outboard collar. Remove the squeeges and evaluate your gap. You can repeate the process adjusting the begining gap to center it just how you want. If you don't do the adjusment like this the door will go out of adjustment again. All you are doing is preloading each side to put tension on it to hold it in place.

Rich

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

When centering them, keep in mind that they actually were never really centered. They were typically skewed to the outside. The reason being that the pivot on the inside is mounted on the outside of the bucket, unlike the outer end. If you try to jam them up tight to the inside the pivot rubs the body and will not turn freely.

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

Guys;

One other question.. before we went out yesterday afternoon, I pulled that "Y" bracket out. When I loosened the screw the bracket basically spun on the shaft.. Question is.. should there be an alignment key or something to that effect on the pivot shaft to align the "Y" bracket...? I know how to get it back in proper alignment but it just seems like there should be something to get the basic alignment correct before the fine adjustments.

I'm going to work on the assembly again today... hopefully I can get it right.

Thanks

Joel

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

If you look on the shaft and the inside of the Y-stop, you will see the splines. The Y-stop needs to be installed so the splines are engaged.

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

If you look on the shaft and the inside of the Y-stop, you will see the splines. The Y-stop needs to be installed so the splines are engaged.

Guys;

Thanks for all the input. I can see the splines on the shaft and on the Y stop... although the splines on the Y stop are mostly worn away. I also see where the pivot is twisted which makes me wonder what went on in there. I think I will pull the whole thing apart and post some pictures.

Joel

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

Hi All;

I'm rebuilding my headlight motors.. the left hand one had a badly worn pot metal gear... In digging into this, I found that the left headlight bucket was hanging up, rubbing against the nose. Taking off the headlight fascia, I can see where the rubbing is coming from. I can also see that the bucket (no motor attached) has considerable side to side play. My guess is that if I could get the bucket adjusted to be closer to center my rubbing problem would go away.. and that the motor, once rebuilt would probably last much longer... My guess is that it was this rubbing which contributed to the worn gear.

Question... How do I get that headlight bucket adjusted to where I want it and eliminate the side to side free play?

BTW, this is my 1963 I am talking about...

Thanks!!

Joel

Guys;

Here are some pictures of the pivot and Y stop out of the car.. I assume the twist in the pivot shaft is the way it is supposed to be...

Joel

[Rich P.]

Re: C2 Headlight Bucket - Side to Side Play

Joel,

yep you need to replace the pivot, the part that is twisted in the part tha engauges the motor.

Rich