Question about headlights and techniques

For those who have good memories..i am deciding on whether to use a set of 53 olds turn signals and the stock merc headlight rings...or a set of 53 buick rings, the most common ones...the question i have pertain to the 53 buick situation...if i wanted to use them would i need to get a section of a 53 buick fender with the headlight mounting pad to graft to the merc fender or do guys normally make their own...

Also, if i use the 53 olds set up would i want to consider doing the same thing..?

For you custom guys any advice would be appreciated.. thanks, tok

 

Hey, Toke!
On the 53's, you can do the same technique I used on my Olds. Grab some tubing, I like using 1/2", I think it looks more in proportion, but smaller diameter is easier to use. Bend the tubing to fit around the outside of the Buick trim ring, or bezel, depending on how you want it to look. When you've got it nice, build a sheet metal "bucket" that extends from the inside of the tubing, to a flat plate to mount the headlight assembly. It can be shallow enough for the bezel to be flush with the outer sheet metal of the fender, or deeper, for a "tunneled" look, your choice. Now take that assemble and cut the fender open to fit it. Be sure to weld it in, both straight (side to side), and 90* to level on the car, so you can still adjust the headlights within their range. you probably have to recontour the fender a bit to make the fender flow into the Buick's headlight shape. Don't be afraid to cut out some metal, and replace it with contoured metal to look like it belongs, that's the important part.
Tack it all together, and look at it from all angles, and from a distance. If she looks good, weld'er up!
I've got pics from building the Olds, if you need a visual!