Hot Rods Fixing blc 682J headlights ??

I picked up a used set of of blc 682 J headlights . I was curious if anyone knows best way to fix this. The bolts that go through the headlight mounts and that move for adjustment of headlight are two different lengths , you can see it in the picture .

Obviously they need to be the same length but didn’t come that way when I got them. Other than the non matched bolts, the rings and headlights themselves are in very good shape, no rust or huge dents .

Best way to remove the piece that is riveted on there ? Once off can I re use it with the matching correct size bolt?

Or do I have to buy a replacement part like this???
http://www.otbgear.com/Flange-And-Mounting-Parts-Assembly-P71.aspx

 

This is a DIY job

 

Which one is the length you want?34Phil has one answer , it looks like the rivets on the long one have been changed. If you need long open the light and grind the rivets off ,

 

I need the longer so I will grind those rivets off,thanks !

 

Took rivets out of mine and replaced with polished brass round head screws. Flat blade
Looked great to me....

 

I have done this many times. Grind off the rivets from the inside, use a punch to knock them out. Be sure to save the rivets. Change the bolt to what you need. Re-assemble with the original rivets, and weld them in place from the inside.

 

Weld on a longer bolt?

 

Check out McMaster-Carr or Fastenal for solid steel rivets. Average price each is 20 cents. They have them in all diameters and lengths. IMO, in this case, a much better repair than welding.

 

Grind off from inside.....then bolt them back on. I use new stainless hardware.

 

Too easy.

 

Go to OTB Gear's website. They have all the small parts to rebuild you old BLC head lights. Including a mounting kit. http://www.otbgear.com/Mounting-Parts-C35.aspx
At 24 bucks for the kit, its worth buying instead of spending hours fabbing up a repair.

 

Jason, good info.

 

Just getting ready to rebuild another pair. Using the OTB kit with OTB chrome rims and OTB SS sealed beam retainers. Basically just reusing the buckets.

 

Does someone still sell the headlight rims made out of stainless steel? I bought a pair quite a few years ago at one of the Street Rod Nationals.

 

You could weld on a bolt with head cut off just to get the length you need. Easier than re riveting things. No one would see it as it probably going through a headlight stand.

 

I just re rivet them. Not hard to do.

 

Those bolts in the opening photo look like they could be ordinary carriage bolts...... not quite like the ones with the smaller heads as in the chrome rebuild kit.
?

 

You can go to any of the Model A suppliers such as Bratton’s or Snyder’s and get the mounting bolts and sst screws without slots in the heads to replace the rivets.