UncleMaz

I picked up a parts car and need to remove the headlight assembly - motor, linkage, buckets, etc. When I get to the car, I will not have computer access and search has provided me with little. I could use some tricks, tips, or a decent DIY. Any suggestions are appreciated. Is this a pretty easy job or is considerable body work involved? TIA.

Ad0911

This is indeed a PITA job. I did this once to change the bearings of the shaft. As I remember:
Put the front of the car on jackstands.Take the frontwheels off and the front covers of the wheelwells. Take off the covers and gently disassamble the hydraulic system that controls the headlamp tilt. You can actually pull out the white connector from the headlamp but there are some very fragile parts on the hydraulic actuater there. I don't recall exactly. Take care. Undo the 4 screws from the center shaft and undo the circlip from the headlamp motor shaft. You can take out the sahft by sliding the headlamps sideways. Than, undo the two screws that hold the bearing that holds the shaft that protrudes through the inner fender. Now you can take the headlamp assembly out from under the car.

Mrmerlin

the only part you wont have to deal with is the Hydraulic part as that is a European/ROW fitment.
Also remove the harness from the headlight and the underside before you remove the center bar

UncleMaz

Thanks Ad0911.

it is a Euro/ROW fitment. Can this set-up (in its entirety) be fitted to a US model (78 to a 86)? A friend's current assembly is jimmied.

Mrmerlin

Mike sorry but i need more info about exactly what your working on and what your planning on doing with the parts.
If you have a hydraulic system i am not familiar with it and Ad0911 may be able to steer you in the right direction

UncleMaz

MM, Sorry for lack of clarity.

A friend's 86 OB assembly is slightly bent (maybe due to a little front ender, but not sure). Anyway, I want to remove all of the headlight components in this newly acquired 78 Euro parts car and give it to him for replacement in his car. So, I was wondering if the different MY and the fact that my parts car is a Euro/ROW chassis will have any fitment issues transplanting the 78 assembly into the 86. Also and from the above post, are there actuators in the Euro/ROW that are not in US models? If they are different, will the owner of the 86 still be able to use this set-up? Thanks.

WallyP

The hydraulic headlamp adjusters almost never work on the older cars. If it has been Federalized, the system should have been disabled. If it has not been Federalized, you may need to jury-rig a link to replace the hydraulic adjuster in the headlamp unit.

Other than that, the main problem will be that the headlamp relays are very different on the early cars, so you will need to use the '86 motor assembly and harness. Most of the mechanical parts should be usable.

UncleMaz

Thanks Wally. His motor works perfectly. We will give it a go and report back. Michael

WallyP

Make absolutely certain that both of the E-clips are on the link between the motor and the bar when you finish, and check to make sure that they stay on the bar. If a clip is missing, you can put the bar thru the radiator or condensor.

UncleMaz

Thank you, will do.

danglerb

I recall it being a pain, and something giving me trouble. but not what it was.

Is the 78 officially a parts car?

UncleMaz

I figured it might be, but I will get it out someway.

As far as the 78 is concerned, it is a parts car for me and for any friends in need . It may end up being a track car if the motor and the trans turn out to be good in the 80.

Edit: At a purchase price of $225, it would also qualify as a good 24hr Lemons car.

Ad0911

What colour is the interior. I am looking for some green interior stuff (see my avatar)

UncleMaz

Ad, most of the interior is buried, but it is a black and leather/leatherette with black and white Pasha (sp?) inserts on the seats at least. They are in rough shape.