exploded headlight assembly view?

[timspider]

I've searched but can't find an exploded view of the headlight assembly. I have a 78, I'm guessing they are all the same. What I really need is the spec of each installation screw for the 2 inner rings under the trim ring. I think it's just 3 screws on one and four on the other.
an exploded view of the whole assembly for each side would be great. Maybe I should ask Santa?

[WYSpider]

[timspider]

Excellent. Thank you santa. Back to the pole barn I go.

[timspider]

quick question. does the spring holder in the bucket orient straight down?
I'm having a hard time getting the bucket and old gasket lined up with mounting holes. It looks like my light had been installed creatively before. had no trim ring mounting gasket at all and some fabrication to the mounting hardware piece that goes under the light hold down ring.
It would help a lot if I knew that little spring holder was supposed to orient straight down as opposed to slilghtly off center when the bucket is mounted. I can't tell from my angled pictures.
thanks

[WYSpider]

I don't remember. What I do remember is that I had to flip the gasket (front to back) to get everything back together.

[timspider]

It looks like I may have to get a little creative here.
you are not talking about the main gasket are you? It seems like it would only lay in one way.
perhaps you are referencing that smaller rubber ring gasket? I don't even have one of those so no worries there.

Does anyone happen to know if the spring holder in the bottom of the bucket is supposed to orient straight down or slightly off center?

If it's supposed to be straight down, then I can just mount it that way and drill new holes as needed. I don't want to do that until I am positive that it is the correct way.

I can't believe I've turned a headlight relay project into a week long gig (without pay)

[azruss]

none of the gasket, bucket, or adjusting ring have symmetrical mounts, so there is only one way they will go together. just keep rotating til you find the right combo.

[TX82FIAT]

Does the 78 have a gasket? I know the 79 on have a gasket. I don't recall seeing a gasket on the older Spiders?

[timspider]

thanks azruss, that helps. the twist, or maybe not, is that the ring has been modified to have those 3 notches expanded to 6. I'll show it in the picture here. So it appears that they had lined it up with the new openings that they cut for some reason. That would be ok actually, if I wasn't trying to add a new piece into the mix, the trim ring mounting piece. That piece appears to be cut for the stock application, (ofcourse) which has now been rotated over a bit, so I don't think the grooves will line up.
this is just from looking at and attempting to dry fit it.

[azruss]

this is a setup from an 80. the early models had an o-ring kind of rubber to protect the paint from the chrome ring. Also, the early cars had a tab as part of the fender to hang the chrome ring. I don't remember if the inner rings have a left side, right side. that may explain the extra slots on yours.

[img=http://hostingbytes.us/images/3/3767950.jpg]

[azruss]

[timspider]

thank you. those pics are a big help. I think I'm a little closer now. It seems like when it was tightened down originally, that gasket was shifted high and to one side, for whatever reason, so it's a bit of a bear getting the old holes lined up. But now I have a good idea of precisely how everything positions and where it attaches. All it took was 8 days of staring at it, half a dozen posts yelling for help, and one session of shouting obscenities while sitting alone in a barn.
Used a similar method installing my top and my carb, worked pretty well for those.
seriously, thanks so much and have a great New Year everybody.

[timspider]

ok, another question. about that plastic trim ring mounting piece for your 80. I have one of those for the passenger side. I wasn't sure it would fit so I bought one first to see. It fits into the trim ring just fine, but doesn't seem to like going together with the whole assembly.
So now I'm thinking that maybe this car just requires the simple small rubber gaskets to protect the paint that you mentioned, which ofcourse, I don't have.
I'd like to try to confirm that this is what this 78 needs before buying more parts that don't fit. I'm funny that way.
this wasn't the new years eve party I envisioned. hope yours is better.

[vandor]

Yes, a '78 only had the little rubber gasket. I would think that the tab on the bottom that holds the chrome ring on would prevent the hard plastic late style 'gasket' from sitting flush.

[timspider]

thank you sir. I may see if I can work it in today if that little tab is all that will keep it from working.I'll see.
Atleast I was able to get both buckets back in last night. Yes, that was my New Years celebration.