Hot Rods 39 Chevy master 85 headlight modernization

Hi all. I have a 39 Chevy master 8t that I have fully rewired. I am ready to put the headlights together but want to upgrade. I see a few kits to do this which create both up and down as well as side to side adjustability. They are $300 all in. I like the simplicity and adjustability. I can modify what I have and be in around half the price but adjustability is only side to side. I am curious what others have done? Thanks. Jeff

 

If you have complete '39 lights with good to excellent silver on the reflectors, find LED bulbs. The Model A guys tell of better lights than sealed beams, and they can't be seen from outside.

 

@302GMC , I have almost complete parts. Missing lenses, gaskets and lens spring clips. All are available as reproductions. Sort of leaning as described. The reflectors are br*** colored, but high heat silver paint would resolve that. Like the stock look, but worry about adjustability. Like I said, using what I have and modifying would be half the cost and look great, but not quite as functional compared to the kits. Just curious of other alternatives.

 

cibie lens conversion will take whatever bulbs you choose.not the cheapest but quality aint cheap.will bolt into 38 chevy head light no mods in my case.curved gl*** doesnt look out of place

 

stock 38 headlights have 3 way adjustment ,both up/down and left/right.available in both LHD and RHD

 

I live on the edge and have stock '39 headlights on my Master Deluxe....same headlight ***embly as the Master 85
The reflectors are excellent original and I use 'Dura Red Seal 2530' bulbs. They are 50-32 candle power not the common 32-25 cp that were stock. I've picked up several boxes of 12 over the years at swap meets and antique stores.
Also ran the voltage regulator up so that the generator supplies a good 6.9-7.1 Volts with the headlights on...
It means keeping the battery electrolyte topped off a little more frequently
Anything is better than a stock Model A headlight....

 

For headlights painting the reflectors don’t cut it. They need to be re-nickel plated.

 

Here's how I fixed my '37 Chevy head lights, I used buckets and trim from a '70 Chevy truck welded to my original '37 headlamps, the outer chrome ring is from a early Harley Davidson. Head lamps are similar to these, https://cl***icgarage.com/7rounheadwit.html only mine have a flat lens. Salvage yard parts and the cost of two new bulbs.

 

OT but you can get to H4 lights complete from Toyota new for $28.00 . Just purchased 2 for a couple Harleys . If interested PM me and I’ll p*** on part number

 

be interested in the part number also as im going to be doing this on my 37

 

28.00 for the pair

 

Silver paint will not make a reflector work well. Silver plating works best, but modern headlamps will work way better.

 

re-plate or re-place

 

I used a couple of headlight ***emblies from a Toyota ute on a '37 Chev, the type where everything is screwed to the radiator support panel. It involved making a couple of brackets, but if you see one, you would be able to work it out.
Mid '80's Toyota Hilux I reckon.
I have painted the inside of tailight ***emblies which had become tarnished with gloss white paint. The white paint trick works really well for tailights, I wonder how it would go with headlights? Maybe look a bit "Street rodish"?

 

do what you can, then install some fog/driving lites for when you need em...

 

This was what I did to my '39 Chev and it cost me a whopping $20 at the wrecking yard and parts store. I found a wrecked late model car that had halogen headlamps and they were broken so I cut the reflectors out of them and gave the $10 for reflectors with lamps.


I then cut the reflectors down to a round shape that fit my '39 reflectors nicely. Marked them with a round tin can to get a perfect circle shape and cut them with my jigsaw.


I then cut the sockets out of my '39 reflectors and sprayed them with spray chrome paint. I wanted to add blinkers and park lights, so bought a pair of repair 1157 sockets for $7 and cut a hole with my unibit to fit them also.


I drilled four holes for pop rivets, and used JB Weld on the back of the reflector before riveting the new socket/reflectors into my stock reflectors. The 1157 sockets snapped in, but I bent the tabs over after they were in place to make sure they were permanent.





After that it was just re***embling the whole thing like they were and wiring them to my new wiring harness I installed. I had one chipped lens that looked like a rock or BB hit it, so I got two nice used lenses from DiOrio's Old Car Parts here in Portland, Or. Joe has a lot of these good lenses, and prices are reasonable. He has the clips you need also.

http://www.oldcarpartsor.com/author/ocp-generic/

 

Not what I've experienced on mine. They still look great, and the chrome paint has held up well.

 

I have done a lot of headlamp conversions. The proof is the light 'on the road' that really works. You could probably get better lights from a bicycle shop -- the ones with a head band.

 

Thanks all. Great thoughts and examples! @1971BB427 your set up looks great. @Garpo do you have any examples you can share? What kind of conversions and what methodology? Thanks!

 

I have used the reflectors from a 7" round H4 units. Units with cracked or broken lenses are (or should be) free.
Remove the gl*** completely, do not touch the silvered finish.
Screw or glue or otherwise adapt to the original reflector or mounts. Use the modern H4 bulb and adaptor.
The beam shape will be somewhat compromised by the old style lens pattern, but is usually far superior to the original headlamps. If you can find 'plus 80' or 'plus 100' bulbs I recommend them - same wattage as standard, but much more efficient (cost more).
I have also had success using old style VW Beetle 12 volt reflector ***emblies in some applications..
There are other options, it's all about harvesting the tech that is all around us.

 

My headlamp pattern on my '39 is as good as what my modern cars have. I did switch out the halogen lamps for LED adapter lamps later, simply because they draw less wattage, and run cooler. I looked around and found several choices for color range as I didn't want my old '39 to have those ugly blue tint or too bright white lights. So they still have a nice look to them when switched on, and just a better beam.