Hello from new member

HEADLAMP FRENCHING KITS - AFTERMARKET
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Thanks for the info. First time I have ever seen a fender extension that didn't bolt on; wonder why they chose to do it that way? Anyways, looks like I'm in for more work than I had planned. I was hoping to "unbolt" the fender extension and then paint the new one and bolt it in. :(
I'm waiting for some decent weather around here so I can pull the headlight door off and see what is actually there. Maybe it isn't the kit like I've been told from the guy I bought it from and is actually a custom/modified and welded 57 extension.
Does anybody know how they are welded to the fender? Spot welded , or fully welded? Was wondering if I might be able to drill out some spot welds and maybe bolt it back in place rather than wreck a perfectly good fender and possibly having to paint the nose of the car.
Thanks again for the help.
 
Cobra Joe said:
First time I have ever seen a fender extension that didn't bolt on; wonder why they chose to do it that way?
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$$$

Later designs were pot metal/fiberglass. And it is spot welded.

So the seller said it was an aftermarket kit? If you look closely at the artist's depiction illustrations on the ad(s) they appear bug-eyed, like they are meant to install over the original fender extension without disturbing it.

From what I see on your photo is a much cleaner install. It might be the fabricator opened the original fender extension to accept the 58 HDL ASSY.

Please... When you start digging post what you find within this origional thread so all will be saved in a single source.

KULTULZ- Wanting to see what is behind DOOR NO.1... :cool:
 

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KULTULZ said:
$$$

If you look closely at the artist's depiction illustrations on the ad(s) they appear bug-eyed, like they are meant to install over the original fender extension without disturbing it.

From what I see on your photo is a much cleaner install. It might be the fabricator opened the original fender extension to accept the 58 HDL ASSY.
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Your Install-
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Kit As Advertised-

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Thanks FordFreak, I agree...well maybe..


I got my fender extensions in the mail today and they are as advertised, brand new. :D

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So, I decided I'd brave the cold and head into the garage and see what I could find when I removed the headlight door. I pulled the 3 screws and the door came right out with no damage, good so far...

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...then I flipped it over and found a FOMOCO and Ford part #....uh-oh....

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:confused:

...and it looks like I may have opened a can of worms. It appears that they drilled out the spot welds and hammered over the fender edge that the door is attached to. Looks like the also welded a brace to the fender lip to stiffen the bucket assembly.Then cut out the bottom and fabbed up the headlight door bottom and gas welded in a '58? assembly. :eek: I think this may be an old custom mod, especially since it appears to be gas welded? :confused:

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Not sure what I want to do at this stage of the game. Do I really want to start welding on the fender and ended up trying to match/repaint the nose? :( :mad:
 
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I can feel your pain. I think we've all had something similar to this happen to us. decisions, decisions.


Sal
 
When you remove the seal beams and buckets, I would like to see the mounting panel used.

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Cobra Joe said:
Oh yeah, and it looks like i'm gonna need a set of #%*?&~ eyebrows too! :mad:
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GOOGLE B7A 16074-A and B7A 16075-A. On EvilBay
 

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you could use panel bond adhesive to mount headlight panel no welding needed although it looks like you will have to reshape and repaint doesn't look like any way around that unless you can fab up a bucket holder and make the stock bezel work
 
Cobra Joe said:
WOW! What a bargain! EYEBROWS
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It was expensive years ago. These days you need to be Jay Leno.

Definitely 1958-

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EDIT-

I could have sworn you showed (incl photo) of a set of take-off 57 HDL ASM's you found...

If you decide to go ahead (and you are deep in it already), make sure you have all the attaching hardware also incl B7A 16086-A | B7A 16087-A HDL DR retainers.

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The front of the fender will need to be worked to accept the new extension meaning breaking the paint.

Maybe Henry will smile down on you and you will find a shop that can paint and blend the paint.

I feel your pain and large amounts of BUDWEISER and light sobbing may help...

... they could have used one of those bug-eye kits and the appearance could be worse. At least it appears as a correct '58.
 

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Frank, that 3M panel adhesive is good stuff, I hung quarters on my Bronco with it, just need to be able to clamp the surfaces or screw them together. Just not sure what I would have for access to do that?

I'm still waiting for the '57 headlights assemblies to arrive....

....and now that I've seen the price of eyebrows, I by-passed the Bud and went straight into the Jack Daniels.
 
Well....just came back from my buddies body shop; I pulled the headlight doors off and showed him my new fender extensions and what my plan was. He knows me well and what my capabilities are. (from when I used to build Cobras including doing the bodywork and paint as well as stuff I've built over the years, that said, I'm still nervous...) He and I are on the same page, either do it or don't and if you do; who knows what you'll find. Worst case, I'm painting the two fenders, top and bottom or just the tops; best case, the headlight doors, but that may be a long shot..... I guess I need to see what happens next on E-Pay :eek:

Again, thanks for all the help everyone....great community here! :cool:
 
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