1936 headlight sockets

[JMFL36]

The headlight sockets on my '36 are rusted beyond repair so I tried replacing them with new ones. After much searching, and thanks to pointers on the barn, I was able to locate some repros. The first set I got were pieces of junk that fell apart when handled. I ordered another set from another supplier, but they were not much better. Probably manufactured by the same off-shore factory. Others are probably having the same issue so here are some photos of how I 'fixed' them. Bold text corresponds to photo of the same name.
Socket 1 - New socket as received from supplier. The brass colored tabs are very flimsy and prone to brake and deform. The depth of the socket is too tight making it very hard to get the bulb seated properly. If you're lucky enough to get the socket installed and bulb seated, the whole assembly has a very loose fit to the reflector making for a very poor ground.
Socket 2 - Start by clipping off the brass tabs and drilling out the tab holes a bit.
Socket 3 - Then separate the bottom flange from the socket by clipping the curled ends of the flange off. Then flatten out the remaining curls.
Socket 4 - Get some #4-40 x 3/4" machine screws.
Socket 5 - Screw the bulb, reflector and flange together and tighten snug.
Socket 6 - Shows the screw heads from the bulb side of the reflector. The heads are the perfect size to clear the wide end of the bulb slots while being snug to the narrow end of the slots.
Socket 7 - Now place the socket over the 3 screws and snug it down to the bulb contacts with another set of nuts. Don't over tighten. Notice the ground wire (with the red connector) that I added for good measure.

Hope this helps someone along the way.

 

[Gary Tosel]

I agree with your solution and I wanted to comment on the quality of the reproduction sockets.


Besides poor quality for the brass parts, the 3 steel parts (flattened in the photo) are mild steel, while the originals are spring steel and work very well.


If you cannot make the corrections shown, the best bet is to find some original sockets to make changing a bulb easier and fit tight, like the original.

 

[zoegrant]

Just tackled this headlight bulb problem...ended up throwing away the reproduction socket holders and using the old spring steel socket holders with the repro bulb sockets.
I think JMFL36 found the answer to using the new repo sockets....Thanks for posting that..

 

[JMFL36]

Yeah, I wish my original spring steel socket holders had been salvageable. Reusing the old spring steel socket holders with the repro bulb sockets is definitely the way to go if the old socket holders are usable. Unfortunately in my case they were not.

 

[blucar]

The information that I have about '36 Ford head-light bulb sockets, is that the majority of the '36-39 cars use the same socket and pre-focused bulb.
I have a '36 Ford and a '39 Plymouth, both of which use the same socket and bulb. I have gathered up several sockets though the years, a few of which are NOS and/or in near perfect condition.
Ron Francis has 12v "Bright Bulbs" which will fit the '36-39 sockets.. He also has new sockets..

 

[flathead_jr]

I bought some really good high quality headlight harnesses for my 37 Ford about 7 years ago. I don't know who was making the sockets then, but they were really good quality. Who knows what happened to that supplier. I ended up sourcing some NOS for my 39 Mercury, I will have a go at it again for my 36 Ford pickup.