Do they make H1/H4 rebuild kits?

[dave_r]

I have a bunch of H1 and H4 headlights and boxes of parts for them.

Are rebuild kits available for them? I need those "clips" that hold the lens in and the rubber parts where the adjustment screws attach to the housing. I could also use some of the adjustment screws.

I would also like to hear from people who rebuilt their headlights before.

thanks,

Dave

[Shoepop]

Dave as far as I know there are no rebuild "kits" for H1's don't know about H4's. The clip's and rubber grommet's with hole you should be able to fabricate if you can't locate with a 'want to buy'. Lens seals are available for both. Rebuild on H1 is not hard but time consuming even after you have done your first one 2+ hours first time an hour or so from then on. A couple of thing's that will help is take only 1 apart at a time so you will have the other to reference, also you DO NOT need to remove the cable on the one adjuster screw as described in some posts you can get in with a small tool, just unclip it and cable and attached screw will come out with the other 3 screws on the trim ring. As for adjustment screws there was a thread here or on Early S reg a while back they are not available from what I remember and guys were rolling their own in various ways.

[Joeaksa]

Any chance you might sell one of your H1 lenses?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Dave, for clips and adjustment screw rubber mounts, your best bet is to call one of the used parts yards. They may save these items from a damaged H4 in an accident.

I was sort of in the same boat as you, collecting H1s to build one perfect set and 1 driver set. A lot of work, I ended up putting a decent set of driver's on the car and selling the rest, down to my last pair and few parts.

[dave_r]

Thanks for the comments, I guess I'll have to make the rubber grommet parts myself. When they dry out, they cause the headlights to somewhat fall apart.

I found a pack of those clips that hold the lenses in with my parts. They were new, so someone must make those. I'll look at that sometime tonight and find the part number.

If I figure out a way to make those rubber grommets, I'll post it up here.

thanks again,

Dave

[ricks234]

Please do, I am running into the exact same issue right now with my car.

[kenikh]

Here's a little "How-To" I did on the early headlights, which translates well to H1s. It explains how to replace the grommets with Home Depot hardware.

Early headlights - Replace those cracked rubber grommets w/ Home Depot hardware! - Early 911S Registry Bulletin Board

[donporfi]

Probably you need these clips. I do not know if still available from Pelican.
WTB Spring Wires for H4/H1 Lenses

[Joeaksa]

Kenik,

Good info!

Thanks,

Joe

[efhughes3]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Any chance you might sell one of your H1 lenses?

Joe, I've found a couple of NOS lenses on ebay in the past-they seemed to be readily available any time I looked for H1 parts. Not too expensive either.

[Joeaksa]

Ed,

Great to know. Any H-1 parts are getting worth saving!

Joe A

[arsenty]

Dave,

I bought clips that holds the lens for H4 from a dealer last week. They were dollar and a change. I am sure they can get you the rest of the parts.

Thanks,
Arsenty

[efhughes3]

That was my thought on getting a couple for stock. I've also put xpel.com protectors on the ones I've got on the car. Now, if I could score an old assembly or two for spare parts, I'll be happy. One of these days I've got to try and tackle rebuilding an adjuster. One of my external screws was stripped when I got the car. Oh, to have a source for H1 replacement parts. It would seem that a machinist/fabricator could make a decent sum reproducing some parts. They could charge a decent sum, and I think many would pay for the luxury of access. Long live the H1!!

Ed,



Great to know. Any H-1 parts are getting worth saving!



Joe A

[dave_r]

I took one apart last night and the only thing I couldn't figure out was how to get the adjustment screws out of the headlight ring.

shoepop said:

"also you DO NOT need to remove the cable on the one adjuster screw as described in some posts you can get in with a small tool, just unclip it and cable and attached screw will come out with the other 3 screws on the trim ring."

how should I remove the screws (without ruining them). what's the best way to loosen that clip on the back of the headlight ring. The cable adjustment screw does unclip from within the the headlight, but I still can't get it totally off the headlight ring.

any suggestions?

[hessel1974]

I just rebuild my H1's. really PITA job! I needed to re-chrome the rings, but it is impossible to get the screw with the flexshaft out of the ring without damaging the brass fitting screw side.

I ended up with cutting them and drill out and re-threath the brass fitting and use new screws.

To get the screws out of the ring you will need to cut loose the little metal retainer which keeps the screw in place. Keep the springs. When putting things back, use simple nuts and washers over the ring.

New lenses are available through our host.

[dave_r]

How much did it cost to get the rings re-chromed? Do you think a chrome shop could straighten out some bent and somewhat torn rings?

what about the reflectors inside the headlights, do you think they could be redone if some of the mirror finish is gone?

I was going to paint the metal case with some silver wheel paint and then a coat of clear, it ends up looking like a factory finish.

-Dave

[kenikh]

Originally Posted by dave_r

How much did it cost to get the rings re-chromed? Do you think a chrome shop could straighten out some bent and somewhat torn rings?

what about the reflectors inside the headlights, do you think they could be redone if some of the mirror finish is gone?

I was going to paint the metal case with some silver wheel paint and then a coat of clear, it ends up looking like a factory finish.

-Dave

All of this can be done. Rechroming headlight rings can be as little as $300 for two if there are no pits or dings and go WAY up dependent upon what repair work needs to be done.

Regarding the reflectors, they will need to be "Resilvered", which is not a chroming process. There are numerous vendors that you can find by searching online that specialize in silvering reflectors. Not sure what it costs, but have heard it is "not cheap".

[efhughes3]

The reflector refinishing cannot be done by a chrome shop. The finish on these is a very specialized process.

[dave_r]

I'll probably just leave the reflectors then, they're usable, but some of the rings are kind of shot. Someone before me tried brazing and straightening them out. $300 sounds a little steep and it would probably be more than that because some of mine have been tweeked and some are mashed up.

I am also thinking of straightening out the rings the best I can and then fixing them with some kitty hair and body filler. I would follow that up with some chrome spray paint or whatever would look the best. I would keep things as clean and professional looking as possible and I would only do this to the smashed and garbage ones.

thanks for all the posts.

[kenikh]

Here are a few contacts for resilvering:

Steves Antique Restoration 503-665-2222
Steve's Auto Restorations - Services - Headlight Resilvering

Uvira, Inc.
310 Pleasant Valley Rd.
Merlin, OR 97532
Telephone: +1.541.956.6880
Fax: +1.541.476.9096
email: uvira@terragon.com