1930 Lamp Support Bar

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Yooper James

New member
I'm having trouble adjusting the headlights on our Tudor. The driver's side lamp won't point low enough. It appears to be limited by the front edge of the cup it's sitting on. Hoping for some help with next steps and looking for some answers. 1) I see that there are flat spots on the bottoms of the cups where the lamps mount. They presently face forward and I can't figure out what they're for. 2) Is there some measurement or way to determine the correct mounting position for the bar? What about the angle of the cups when the bar is properly mounted? 3) Any ideas about a quick fix, as opposed to relocating the bar?
Thanks for reading and please comment!
YJ
 
It has been a very long time since I worked on a headlight bar but is it possible to get the bar on backwards? Are you just installing it for the first time? If you included your general location in your profile someone might invite you for a look at theirs or recommend an upcoming show or swap meet where you could check some others out.

Charlie Stephens
 
Yooper James said:
I'm having trouble adjusting the headlights on our Tudor. The driver's side lamp won't point low enough. It appears to be limited by the front edge of the cup it's sitting on. Hoping for some help with next steps and looking for some answers. 1) I see that there are flat spots on the bottoms of the cups where the lamps mount. They presently face forward and I can't figure out what they're for. 2) Is there some measurement or way to determine the correct mounting position for the bar? What about the angle of the cups when the bar is properly mounted? 3) Any ideas about a quick fix, as opposed to relocating the bar?
Thanks for reading and please comment!
YJ
Click to expand...


If you are asking about the flat area in the picture, that is for the horn bracket and should face to the rear.


Bob
 

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I think BOB #5 has it right...the bar is installed backwards, the flat spot is a stop for the horn bracket, try flipping it around and I think it will be OK.
 
Thank you Gents!

Upon removal and close inspection of the bar, it appears to have been repaired badly and is not symmetric. Mounting it reversed appears even worse. I do have a 28/29 bar which bolted up with the flats to the back (the pads didn't exactly fit the fenders, so the bolts aren't pulled up tight) but the "cups" are tipped forward and the headlights adjust great. I'm now hunting for a good condition lamp support for 30/31

mantta, I'm in Calumet.

Great forum, thanks again for the help!

YJ
 
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Now that the OP has his answer, I will jump in. I can't aim the headlights on my '30 CCPU high enough. No matter whether I use high or low beam, the light hits the road so close to the front of the car that I can bearely see it from the driver's seat. The headlight bar has the flat spot referred to above on both sides at the rear and the cups in the bar face up and forward. I'm thinking I should reverse the bar but to get the lights shining where they should, they would be leaning backwards so far they will look silly.
Has anyone else experienced this?
 
there is some aftermarket 30-31 head light bars that the cup where the light mounts is at a different angle. it will not allow you to aim the light far enough down. I painted a real nice light bar up and installed on the car only to than see it was the wrong angle. I now have two of the darn things. they will work with hot rod and guide (GM) lights
 
jw hash said:
there is some aftermarket 30-31 head light bars that the cup where the light mounts is at a different angle. it will not allow you to aim the light far enough down. I painted a real nice light bar up and installed on the car only to than see it was the wrong angle. I now have two of the darn things. they will work with hot rod and guide (GM) lights
Click to expand...

My problem is the opposite. The lights won't aim high enough!
 
I happen to know that Amanda at Rusty Lugs in Vancouver, WA has a nice used 30/31. At least she did a couple weeks ago. Try giving her a call.
 
Yooper James said:
Thank you Gents!

Upon removal and close inspection of the bar, it appears to have been repaired badly and is not symmetric. Mounting it reversed appears even worse. I do have a 28/29 bar which bolted up with the flats to the back (the pads didn't exactly fit the fenders, so the bolts aren't pulled up tight) but the "cups" are tipped forward and the headlights adjust great. I'm now hunting for a good condition lamp support for 30/31

mantta, I'm in Calumet.

Great forum, thanks again for the help!

YJ
Click to expand...



might want to check here


http://model-a-ford.org/category/classifieds/parts-for-sale/
 
Before you conclude it is the headlight bar, the problem may be with the bulb socket in the headlamp. Try re orientating the bulb socket in the headlight. Also try another bulb which may have a better filament arrangement.
 
A lot of headlight bars are bent from accidents. Anytime a front fender is bent from hitting something the headlight bar can get bent or twisted. Since the headlight bar is bent when new from the Ford factory you cannot tell for sure. If you are having problems with one it is more than likely slightly bent.
 
Yooper James,

Along the line of what bucket-o-rust is saying, I probably have 6 or 8 '30 - '31 Head Lamp Support Bars and every one has evidence of pipe wrench marks, obviously from people attempting to adjust the head lamps. I even have one that is chrome plated right over the pipe wrench marks.

Darryl in a very wet but warm 47 degree likely come snow soon Fairbanks
 
picture.php

Photo compares old lamp support to new, I tried to get the bolt holes parallel. Huge difference in the angle of the cups. I'm all set. Indeed both supports have been worked on.

This is a great forum because of the strong contributors!. Thanks for the help!

YJ
 
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