C2 Stuck head light bucket

[Lawrence S.]

The passenger side headlight bucket will not rotate. I removed the motor and it is still stuck. I have lubricated the pivot points via the gaps between the bucket and the fender. Is there another access point that I should be focused on? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Lawrence

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

You will have to remove the whole thing and remove and replace the balls. They are stuck and there ain't nothing you can do for it.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

How can I do that if I can't rotate the bucket to get to the bezel off?

[Bruce B.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Check the last issue of the Restorer as it has a comprehensive article on rebuilding headlight assemblies.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

I have read the article. It contemplates you can open the buckets to start the work. I can't open the buckets so not sure how I will get the buckets out of the car??

[Wayne W.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Well, You got a point there Judge. I have never had one that I couldn't at least move enough to get to the bolts. But, I don't work on many northern salt cars. You are going to have to man handle it enough to do that. And if it is that bad, the next problem will be with the bolts. They are probably going to be a bear too.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Its actually a Western TN, Oklahoma car.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Lawrence,

There is one more area that may be stuck. On the outer shaft, there is a collar that may be seized. Did you spray that area too? The collar has a allen screw which holds it in.

If you're still unable to rotate the assembly, maybe you can get in there with a small ball peen hammer and/or brass drift and lightly tap the ball socket housings to help free them......very carefully of course. If the hood is off it'll be easier. Not sure if you have it off or not though. If there's a lot of penetrating fluid in there I wouldn't use any form of heat. I agree you may have to apply some force to get that thing to move.

Rich

[Lawrence S.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Rich,

The hood is still on the car. I have been spraying penetrating oil at the pivot points, but just started yesterday afternoon. I will remove the hood and try your suggestion.

The car has been sitting for the last 24 years, and this is not the first thing I have had to debug on it or will it be last.

Thanks,

Lawrence

Lawrence

[Paul J.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

Lawrence, if you have'nt done this already, take the front bezel off and remove the headlight bulbs (you don't want to break anything). Then grab the front of the housing and pull up, while pushing down on the back. Get agressive if you need to, but don't break anything. I'd also use Kroil or the home brew penetrating oil and let it soak for a few days.

Paul

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

The problem is.... on a '67 you have to rotate the bucket to get at the screws to remove the headlight bezel. Top bezel screws are side mounted between the front surround and bucket on 64-67. 63's are in front(originals).

http://www.licorvette.com/pdfcatalogfiles/cat/04.pdf

[Al R.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

If worse comes to worse, the shafts may not be any good anyway, you may can get a saw-all blade in to cut through the shafts to remove the bucket and then gain access to the bolts for removal, might be better that cracking fiberglass!

[Doug L.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

I think you can get to the screws that attach the sockets of the balls on the shafts to the headlight housing. On '64 buckets there are plastic plugs on the ends of the buckets. Once the bulbs have been removed these plastic plugs can be pryed off. Two of the 3 bolts that attach the ball housing to the fiberglass can be accessed through these holes and the third under the edge of the buckets. If you can get at least 2 of the bolts out you should be able to rotate the entire bucket and ball housing enough to get to the third bolt.

Once the housings are off the shaft on the outer side of the bucket will slide out of the slots they are in. At least that is what I recall. The balls on my car were frozen ont the shafts and I got them off the car without damaging anything.

You may also be able to remove the small phillips head screws that attach the shafts to the buckets. They are accessible from inside the bucket. You will have to remove the bulbs no matter what in order to disconnect the electrical wiring that passes through the hollow shaft on the outer sides of the buckets. Those wire bundles must be removed from the buckets/shafts.

Removing the hood will make it 1000 times easier to work on and once you can see the setup it is easier to understand.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: C2 Stuck head light bucket

I did not get the hood off today. It was a beautiful day so I went on a ride instead. I sprayed more penetrating oil on the pivot points and will take your suggestions.

Thanks