I got a last minute call from my buddy to go hiking in N. GA last weekend, so I decided to take the T-bird. It would involve driving at night so I also decided to slap in my new headlights that had been awaiting installation for almost a year.
R&R is pretty straightforward.
- Remove headlight bulb and place it safely out of the way.
- Remove 4 nuts holding intermediate headlight bracket to chassis
- Remove 2 nuts holding inner light (This is needed to get clearance to remove headlight assembly)
- Remove headlight assembly from car
- Rotate 3 headlight adjustment pieces 90 degrees to release headlight from intermediate bracket (I used a set of adjustable pliers and needle nose vise-grips)
- Install new headlight onto intermediate bracket
- Installation is reverse of removal ;)
My old headlights were quite yellowed, as you can see in the pictures. The difference between the old/new set is beyond amazing. High beams with the old pieces were noticeably less bright than std. beams with the new ones. On the way over to Atlanta, I put the high beams on and a lil' pee came out from the excitement.
Intermediate bracket.
The three adjuster pieces go into the back of the headlight. There are 4 studs on the opposite side that interface with the chassis.
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 010_r.jpg)
This is what happens when you mess with 20 year old plastic. I need new adjusters.
Two of the studs can also be seen.
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 014_r.jpg)
Don't think it is supposed to look like that.
The three slots are for the adjuster pieces.
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 018_c_r.jpg)
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 012_r.jpg)
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 013_c_r.jpg)
(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 002_c_r.jpg)(http://www.griffshp.com/belchja/forums/headlights/headlight 021_c_r.jpg)
Are the adjusters long or short?
E7SZ-13032-D HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER SHORT
E7SZ-13032-C HEADLIGHT ADJUSTER LONG (http://"http://foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showpost.php?p=123077&postcount=7")
Anybody know where I can get NOS outers?
you need 1 short and 2 long per side if memory serves me
you can also use help brand #'s
42151 headlight adjuster long
42152 headlight adjuster short
nos right outer on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Thunderbird-Cougar-OE-Parking-Light-Lamp-Right-1987_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33710QQihZ001QQitemZ110170153211QQtcZphoto
Looks good! Where did you get the new headlights from?
Looks good. I like the wheels too :D
I just did this a few weeks back before the Fun Ford Weekend. I replaced every light in the front except the elusive drivers-side corner light (5 new pieces). I noticed the requirement to loosten the inner light to get the headlight out.
One thing I discovered after ruining the adjuster plastic (as you show there) the first time I did this (after polishing the old head-lights) is that you can use a single-edge razor to cut the lock-ramps off of the old headlight. These "ramps" only let you assemble the headlight, but they are not designed to be reversed and efforts to lift the tab before attempting the 90 deg. rotation will usually only result in a broken locking tab. If you slice the lock-ramps off, you can carefully un-key the locks by rotating -90 degrees. No guarantee you can save the old locks anyway, but I was able to reuse mine.
That made me laugh so hard that I had to pick my self up off the floor.
Those light sure do make a BIG difference. you need to clean the inners and outers. Get some fine steel wool use that and then go over them with some tire wet.
Headlight Warehouse (http://"http://headlightwarehouse.com/")
How long does the shine last? 5-10 years? I'd like a solution that is set it, and forget it.
looks really good. i got lucky in the fact that the previous owner of my car already replaced them for me.:hick:
I think you got jipped alittle on those, you can get a pair on ebay for about $130
I'll pay an extra $20 to keep from using Ebay.
I wouldn't buy from ebay either. AFAIK you can still get them from Ford for 45-55 bucks each.
Lenses, yes. Complete assemblies, no.
Actually IF you wax them every few months they should maintain the crystal appearance... The key is don't let them get hazy in the first place...
The headlight adjusters have been discontinued from Ford. I bought 2 short, and 2 long from fastpartsnetwork.com (That is all they could find in the dealer database).
Also, randomly, the non-ATC blower motor is also unavailable from Ford.
For those adjusters check your local parts store HELP section! I got some for my 94 cougar but I'm sure they make them for the foxes too. I'll see If I can get a part number.
mjbtbrd gave the HELP! part #s in the 2nd post. I just try and buy Motorcraft parts if at all possible.
I'll pick up the remaining two adjusters from Advance.
Shortly after the install I noticed my left headlight was dimming. Lo and behold, the sumbitch was leaking and fogging inside. Eventually over 1" of standing water accumulated. Glad I bought new. :mad:
I removed the offending piece and tried to find where it was leaking.
Filling it with water didn't do it.
Sealing the bulb and putting it underwater didn't do it.
My dad pressuring the assembly by blowing in it worked. :confused:
So I went to the local part store and bought some sealant. It seemed to work until last Friday, when I noticed more condensation on the lens. :mad: :mad: Oh well. The original leakage caused damage to the internal finish so I'm just going to buy another assembly. I haven't pinpointed the new leak location, but I'll update when I find it.
Also, you don't want to buy 2 long and 1 short adjuster. You want to be 3 long adjusters. The short adjuster doesn't have a hex head - thus you cannot adjust the assembly correctly.
another great thread. Did you find the outters as well?
For leaking assembly's I've used the RTV, BUT also wrapped with Teflon tape before it set up... Never had one leak again...
I'm glad I don't drive the car in the rain - that would infuriate me :beatyoass:
I do like my new headlights a lot though! I had some assemblies from the junk-yard lying around so I was able to se together enough adjusters to make do. I used a razor to slice off the ramp that makes removing the adjusters difficult without damaging them (the anti-reverse tab). I sprayed them with penetrating oil and they work almost as good as new!
Not to be a nitpicker, but the term is "gypped" - derived from the Gypsies. It's similar to "Ive been Jewed" - based on old derogatory stereotypes.