H4 Headlight Fit

roverelf · 03:33 PM

Hi All:

I installed my new H4s in my 1983 911SC today, but one of them doesn't seem to fit so well. The seal between the H4 assembly and the body is not compressed tightly for about a 3" length. If I get it to fit snugly, the other side has the same problem.

I was wondering if anybody else had experienced this problem, and what might be a solution. I was thinking of just putting a dab of silicone in the area to fill the gap. It is not really noticeable, but I fear water might seep through if I get caught in the rain. Any thoughts, ideas, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks,
John

roverelf · 03-28-2004, 03:36 PM

Bumped back up with ? smilie.....

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

That's puzzling. i usually have the opposite problem, with the new gaskets beeing too fat to allow easily seating the rim on the upper lip...

There is a drain in the bucket for water that gets behind the headlight, so I wouldn't mess with silicone, myself.

OTOH, the H4 rim has some flex, so maybe you can push in the sides to get a better matchup.

YMMV

Thack · Thack's Garage

It sounds like the bucket is bent. Is this a new H4 assembly? A cheap replacement from another model car?

Mike

Early_S_Man · 03-28-2004, 03:47 PM

Silicone sealant would be OK as a temporary solution.

Are the sealing rings new? If not, I think that is your long-term solution!

roverelf · 03-28-2004, 04:09 PM

Thanks all. The H4s are brand new from Pelican (including new rubber rings). I'm not sure if the bucket is slightly bent or the H4 assembly. Neither appears bent, that's what is so puzzling. I am putting the painted rings over the chrome, so I don't expect that it will be noticable at all. I think I may just dab a bit of silicone in it for insurance. There is one little break on the bucket lip that you can see all the way into the bucket if you look hard. Maybe 1/4" long. I think that if I seal that up I should be OK. Let me know what you think.

Regards,
John

Jack Olsen · 03-28-2004, 07:47 PM

I don't think it's essential to have a clean seal. I run without the rubber gaskets, just because it makes easier to swap out the headlights and scoops I use on the track.

Make sure the light is securely seated, though. I use a couple of zip ties as a safety line for the assembly, since they sometimes pop out.

ubiquity0 · 03-28-2004, 08:09 PM

I've just installed new H4s on my SC. The new gaskets I received from Pelican look totally different from the old ones (with US trim ring). The new versions are kinda flat- maybe 1/2"-5/8" wide & 1/16"-1/8" thick. I can't for the life of me figure out how to install these, so put the old cracked ones back in. Are they supposed to fold over in half or something?