72 Headlight adjustments

[Rey S.]

What and how are the best methods to adjust (all linkage and position adjustments)72 headlight assemblies ? Should they be adjusted installed on the car or can they be done on the bench ?
Thanks
Rey Stenhouse (26007)

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Headlight adjustments

I don't know of any way to adjust them on the bench. Even Corvettes built now days have the headlamps adjusted just after they drive off the line (first drive under their own power) and roll over several bumps to settle the suspension. I can't recall which manual I saw it in, but there is a diagram with dimensions of how to adjust the headlights when they are projected on a flat surface 25-feet in front of the car. Of course this requires a level surface for the car to sit on, and might require some laser projection device(s) to strike a level line to the flat surface -- like a garage door. Laser levels are inexpensive at the big box stores or even Harbor Freight (perish the thought).

Google gives one everything:

http://www.wikihow.com/Adjust-Car-Headlights

[Paul J.]

Re: 72 Headlight adjustments

Back in the old days we used these. Not perfect but accurate enough to pass inspection.

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[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Headlight adjustments

At school we have a headlamp adjusting tool that rolls on wheels over level tracks set in the concrete floor. It is right in front of the alignment rack, which is also level. I didn't mention it in my first post because I didn't think too many members have, or have access to, one of those -- or something similar. It has a bright light that shines into the car's bulb and a meter that registers the reflected light intensity. With it one can adjust the headlamps without any power in the car -- although I am not sure how much of an advantage that is.

The device Paul shows, and some similar devices, show up on eBay from time to time. I am not so sure they work with modern cars, so shops are disposing of them, and they can be had at fairly reasonable prices. Even at that they are probably overkill for those who have use for them only once or twice in their lifetime. They are cute to have though, in a collector sort of way.

[John H.]

Re: 72 Headlight adjustments

The plant used Hopkins headlight aimers, which were the de facto industry standard in the 60's-70's; they registered against the three projections on the lens and were secured to it by a suction cup while the car was parked on level pads after Roll Test. The headlight bezels were installed after aiming the lights. Most later cars had the access holes for the vertical and horizontal aiming screws designed into the bezels so the lights could be aimed with the bezels installed.


HopkinsHLAim.jpg