Model A headlight sealed beam conversion

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Todd

He's just one of them Rusty-Chainers!
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
1,547
Location
Faribault, MN
I picked up a pair of converted headlights from vintageT with all the Model T parts this summer. There was a lot of noise inside them and upon looking closer, the conversion was rusted beyond saving. Did a bunch of searching and couldn't find the kits anymore through the normal outlets. Saw a used kit on eBay at a reasonable price and bought it.

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Went to put them in when it arrived and found a 3/8" gap between the retainer ring and the kit :confused: More research showed an old kit with step tabs, after exhausting a bunch of other ideas it was time to duplicate the tabs.
Attempted to fold some sheet metal on the brake with limited success.

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Took some scrap aluminum and milled out this die on mini mill.

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Took the folded sheet metal and reformed it in the die using a piece of 1/4" plate.

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Pulled the tab over then tapped it down to the angle.

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Out of the die.

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Using a piece of scrap the fold over is finished.

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Tab folded and trimmed.

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Slide tabs on to the edge of the bucket.

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Add a bulb, assemble. Fits nice and snug now.

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