help with '38 ('37 - 9) teardrop headlights

jim galli

jim galli

Senior Member
Trying to take the lenses off the survivor '38 coupe for the first time in over 60 years and I'm afraid I'll break something. They are really really stuck. Any ideas appreciated. I have the IPB page 528 in the green bible but don't understand why these will not pry open. Any help appreciated. :confused:
:dazed and confused:
 
There's 3 clips holding the lens. After you take the door off. You'll see. Sometimes the lens sticks to the cork gasket just carefully pry off after taking the clips off.
 
Hello,
Yup, no doubt the rim will be stubborn. Besides the single screw at the bottom center of the rim, there are four little tabs on the bucket sides that hold the rim in place (see attached pic). It is a "snap" fit and generally is pretty snug if the tabs are adjusted correctly. I have a little trouble prying mine off, even after leaving it overnite after the rebuild.
You may want to very carefully try prying the rim at the tab locations. Put some card board or thick material against the fender in that area and use something like a flat blade screw driver to give it a little nudge. Do that at all four locations. Eventually, I get mine to pop off.
Good luck,
gregg
 

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Thanks for the pictures. Helpful. But I've already been prying and prying with the flat blade screwdriver and they're really stuck. I'll proceed carefully. So the stainless trim lives seperately from the glass and bucket assy? Bottom screw and tabs are what hold the stainless on right? Thanks again.
 
Yes and Yes. I really would focus on prying in the tab area, best to do the bottom tabs first since they are closest to the screw. With screw removed, keep some tension on the screw hole area. Maybe hook something in the hole and put some pull pressure on it. Then go after the bottom two tabs areas.
 
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