39 deluxe sealed beams

M

marko39

Well-known member
Can sealed beams be installed in 39 deluxe buckets? Car is still 6 volt and I want to keep the 39 lenses and trim ring. I have new Drake buckets .
 
Isn't part of converting to sealed beams ditching the original trim rings and lenses, using a "specially made" trim ring to fit and hold the sealed beam light AND the reason of they look SO damn ugly!!!!!! Hideous actually!!!
 
rockfla said:
Isn't part of converting to sealed beams ditching the original trim rings and lenses, using a "specially made" trim ring to fit and hold the sealed beam light AND the reason of they look SO damn ugly!!!!!! Hideous actually!!!
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I believe that is correct. Due to the design of the stock headlight, you would need to use those horrible looking pot metal adapters. The original headlights are aesthetically much prettier, IMO.
 
I think you would need '40 headlight buckets, sealed beam retainer rings, and outer chrome trim rings. Not sure if it's a direct bolt-up affair, but it has been done.
 
IF brighter headlights and lights in general are your goal, why not switch to LED's.....Steve Blanchard here on the Barn "ndchf" (i think that's his moniker) generator extraordinaire has done it on his 35 and has rave reviews about it!!!
 
rockfla said:
Isn't part of converting to sealed beams ditching the original trim rings and lenses, using a "specially made" trim ring to fit and hold the sealed beam light AND the reason of they look SO damn ugly!!!!!! Hideous actually!!!
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Yes, I agree and when I got the car it had 40 lights which I prefer the 39. Conversions I’ve seen are for 12 volt and I have the 40 buckets which I may try to strip and install in the 39. Hoping to hear from someone who has done this.
 
mcgarrett said:
I think you would need '40 headlight buckets, sealed beam retainer rings, and outer chrome trim rings. Not sure if it's a direct bolt-up affair, but it has been done.
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Yep. Switch to '40 buckets and all the 40 stuff fits right in. No fuss, no muss.
 
Tried to find Drakes halogen 39 set, but no luck. Long gone with a lot repro of parts. Newc
 
Kube said:
Yep. Switch to '40 buckets and all the 40 stuff fits right in. No fuss, no muss.
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I have the 40 buckets but the 39 lenses don’t fit because they fit the contour of the fender and the 40 lights sit proud of the fender. If I can remove the 40 guts and install in the 39 buckets I think it will work as the 39s are deeper than the 40. Got some cleaning up to do to see how they’re held together. I am open to any other suggestions and wouldn’t mind going stock if I could find all the parts.
 
If your light has to pass through two lenses (seal beam and 39 lens) your light will be scattered all over the place. Not the best idea.
 
TJ said:
If your light has to pass through two lenses (seal beam and 39 lens) your light will be scattered all over the place. Not the best idea.
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I was just thinking the same thing. Got the 40 buckets stripped but fitting them to the 39s isn’t going too well. Very tight due to the buckets different shape. If I can make it work the bulb would be close to the lense. I’ll probably search for what I need to make it stock.
 
I have used halogen bulbs that fit the original reflector with no modification. Little British Car Co has bulbs with the filaments in the correct location. They offer the following bulbs for 37-39 Ford cars:
 170-756H - 6V, 35/35W, use with generator
170-957H - 6V, 50/35W, use with generator
 170-857HA - 6V, 60/55W, use with alternator
 170-760H - 12V, 35/35W
170-857HA - 12V, 60/55W
 170-759H - 12V, 65/55W

I used the 170-957H bulbs in a stock 37 sedan with new reproduction reflectors and lenses with excellent results. I have now purchased duplicate stock to do the same upgrade on my 38 cars.
Currently C&G lists the new reflectors, I found them to be a big improvement over my tarnished originals. Other vendors probably sell them too.
 
38 coupe said:
I have used halogen bulbs that fit the original reflector with no modification. Little British Car Co has bulbs with the filaments in the correct location. They offer the following bulbs for 37-39 Ford cars:
 170-756H - 6V, 35/35W, use with generator
170-957H - 6V, 50/35W, use with generator
 170-857HA - 6V, 60/55W, use with alternator
 170-760H - 12V, 35/35W
170-857HA - 12V, 60/55W
 170-759H - 12V, 65/55W

I used the 170-957H bulbs in a stock 37 sedan with new reproduction reflectors and lenses with excellent results. I have now purchased duplicate stock to do the same upgrade on my 38 cars.
Currently C&G lists the new reflectors, I found them to be a big improvement over my tarnished originals. Other vendors probably sell them too.
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thanks for the info, sounds good.
 
If you do the halogens be sure to use relays so the switch is not overloaded. Found this out the hard way.
 
marko39 said:
Can you tell me what relays you used and how to wire them? I never was very good with electrical. Thanks
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Marko I can't recall as it was a long time ago. I recall I got them from Napa Auto Parts. I think they had instructions with them. You should be able to also find instructions on the internet.
 
Here’s some relays, I used one for my ahooga horn I added to my ‘41.
 

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