Author Topic: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?  (Read 3823 times)

CraigD

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Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« on: June 14, 2021, 14:26:34 »
There's a gap below the euro headlight chrome in this photo.  Is this normal from the factory?  I've seen in a couple cars...
Craig
'70 280SL Euro
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Pawel66

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2021, 16:27:10 »
There is a bit of a gap, but I am not sure if this wide. There is a channel in headlight housing for water to flow away, so such big gap is not needed, I think.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
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RAY

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2021, 17:33:22 »
Also I believe the screw should be chrome plate slotted ?

Pawel66

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2021, 21:49:34 »
It is a very special screw. Yes, chromed and it has rounded tip so that it is easy to fit it in position to the threaded orifice.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Benz Dr.

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2021, 22:16:55 »
The top of the chrome is actually just slightly lower than the top of the fender on a perfectly fitted headlight.  It's not easy to get one to fit that well.
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Tyler S

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2021, 13:50:55 »
It is common to have a distorted headlight bucket if/when the front bumper was ever impacted. The bumper tends to ride up and pinch the bottom of the reveal. These areas aren’t usually repaired correctly. It is more noticeable on euro headlights as the fixture plate is much more rigid than the US version.
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RAY

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2021, 08:15:20 »
Pawel,

I recently bought 2 new screws for this purpose which were advertised as 5 x 16 but when I tried to fit them they were slightly to large a diameter thread and the slotted head looked to large to sit in the cup of the frame comfortably.

I ended up using 4 x 16 chrome slotted which threaded in perfectly and the screw head sat nicely in the cup.

Neither had the special rounded tip.

Nicolas Aristodemou

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2021, 13:44:47 »
I remember I had the same issue when converting my headlights to EU spec. Fortunately, at the same time I war replacing my front fenders as well as the front grille surround panel and my fitter had a hard time with his cutters and brazing torch to make everything fit.... you can see him smiling on the attached photo as well as another photo of the "finished product"  :D
Nicolas Aristodemou
Nicosia - CYPRUS
280SL Auto 1970 US spec (W113), 380SL 1982 R107, Citroen DS23 Pallas 1973, Triumph TR4 1963, Triumph Stag 1973, Mini Cooper S Mk1
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Shvegel

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2021, 12:41:27 »
There is a factory seam in that very spot.  what you are seeing may just fall under manufacturing tolerance.

Pawel66

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Re: Euro Headlight Fit - Gap?
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2021, 13:17:41 »
Pawel,

I recently bought 2 new screws for this purpose which were advertised as 5 x 16 but when I tried to fit them they were slightly to large a diameter thread and the slotted head looked to large to sit in the cup of the frame comfortably.

I ended up using 4 x 16 chrome slotted which threaded in perfectly and the screw head sat nicely in the cup.

Neither had the special rounded tip.

I think all the screws there are M4 and the 4 that hold the headlight should have heads smaller than standard (not to touch the glass). All 5 had rounded tips to make it easier to fit them.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class