Repro Headlights Leaking?

[Gyrhead]

Hi everyone. Can't wait to get to the Reunion. The 2R SVO is getting real close and I guess Koni finally delivered my quads today so I'm pretty excited.

I have another question on the Daniel Carpenter reproduction headlight buckets for 85.5 and 86. I purchased a pair a while back off the bad auction site before I became a member here and have heard some negative feedback on them. Despite being made from the original Ford tooling, I've heard that they leak like a wooden row boat. Is this true? I know for a fact that the NOS original FoMoCo ones can leak as well since the ones on my 2R were foggy after a year (after the warranty expired, of course) and I had to replace them with NOS ones that also promptly leaked.

I was hoping that the Carpenter repros solved the leaking problem. What has been people's experience with the repros over the long-term. I know they haven't been out too long, but have people seen leaking? I have the ones that have the chrome bleed onto the back so I assume those are the Carpenter ones.

Thanks

Paul

[Gyrhead]

One other thing

With these repros, has anyone had a problem getting the bottom retainer spring clip (the long one that comes up beside the bucket) to grab the adjuster screw? I found that the plastic molded boss on the bucket is very thick and when you put the spring clip on it, the little detent in the spring clip barely protrudes into the molded boss. Clearly not enough to grab the head of the adjuster screw. I used my die grinder with a fine grit Roloc disc and rounded down the boss and the clip seems to grab better now, but it's still not perfect. Thoughts?

Paul

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Re: One other thing

Originally posted by Gyrhead
With these repros, has anyone had a problem getting the bottom retainer spring clip (the long one that comes up beside the bucket) to grab the adjuster screw?

I have a replacement pair of NOS on the 86 that are doing the same thing. At least now I know I'm not the lone ranger with that issue.

[Otto Man]

Paul,
I had that EXACT problem reinstalling new (NOS mind you) buckets back in March. Here's what I did.....
Get some electrical tape and wrap it around the "screw" head maybe three times (this makes it bigger/fatter). The buckets should pop right on and stay nice and tight. One thing I could not figure out was how to get the bottom center clip for the gasket to even come close to snapping back on. So I just left it off.
Let me know if this helps.
Also, for the leaks drill a 3/16 hole in the bottom of the bucket near the back so it can breath. I also smeared a tiny bead of silicone sealent around the perimeter of lense/bucket mating and sucked the bead with a vacuum cleaner held up against the bulb "hole" in the back. You better do this BEFORE you drill the little hole!!! This keeps wash water from getting in there.
Chris

[Gyrhead]

Oh yeah, that too.

Chris, yes, I forgot to mention that the center gasket clip (on the top) does not clamp back on. I guess the thickness of the lense/bucket flange is off and the clip is too big. What I did was to squeeze the clip together with a pair of pliers, hence making it narrower. Then it snapped on with no problems. I also bent the tangs in a little bit to get closer. Doesn't look too bad either. It was better than having that gasket flapping in the breeze at the top. I guess being made "from original Ford tooling" means some settling will occur.

Paul

[RTStabler51]

Where can you get the repro headlights? I thought PPI had'em, but I didn't see'em on their website.

[drquest]

Wow old thread from the dead...

You can find them on ebay, or direct from http://www.blueovalindustries.com

[svobud]

did you email or call him? PPI that is .. NOT Blue Oval. BTW, PPI is a SVOCA sponsoring vendor, Blue Oval aint.

[SVOeric]

I do believe PPI has them, you'll have to call if they don't show up.

[mustangparts]

Thanks Eric and Bud for the referral... JD

[RTStabler51]

Just talked to Jim and ordered. Thanks guys.

[dagenham]

repro headlights leaking

I would get water in the headlights all the time on my '88 so I drilled an 1/8 inch hole in the lower front corner of each one. It fixed the water build up and I never have them fogged up. You have to be looking awfully close to even see the holes.