1987 stock H4 bulb

[porsche_addict]

My headlight went out the other day but the owner's manual does not specify what type of bulb is used. I am assuming an H4 bulb but what would the wattage be? Can I use a higher wattage bulb safely?

[Quicksilver]

Stock 87 is an H5 bulb. If it has been converted to H4s then it would have E-code lenses.

[donporfi]

If you want to use higher wattage bulbs, you should use relays.
This is an H4 bulb, wattage is 60/55 W you can find higher wattage.


This is an H5

[Jesse16]

You can buy H4's any day of the week at your local parts store in the standard 50/65 wattage.
High wattage bulbs as previously stated would require a relay and probably have to be ordered. I use the high wattage bulbs myself, they are a bit tempermental in my experience and will blow. H5's probably a more rare bulb, just get a few here maybe.

[darrin]

H5s were run in a LOT of headlights in north america over the years and should be READILY available at your local auto parts store.

My high beam switch failed/melted while running standard wattage sealed beam headlights, so I'd recommend adding the headlight relay kit our host sells regardless of wattage bulbs used -- as delivered from the factory, all of the headlights' current runs through the headlight switch and turn signal (for switching to high beams), the current can/will cause problems with the turn signal stalk over time. Adding the relay will send a much lower "trigger" current through these components and will likely significantly extend their life.

[porsche_addict]

Ok so I bought the H5s thinking that is what the car had. After spending nearly an hour trying to pry the lights out I realized the car actually has H4s (80/100s). Now I can't get the assemblies back together since my the instructions in the owner's manual are not applicable to my setup. The lenses say Bosch E4, so I guess they were converted at some point? Is there instructions on on changing the bulbs on H4 assemblies?

[Unobtanium-inc]

Once the light assembly is off the fender you just need to unplug the bulb, release the little metal spring rods at the center where the plug went in, and the bulb pulls directly out. If you were dismantling all of the perimeter springs, removing glass, reflectors, etc then you did way too much work. Hopefully you're not there yet. - Matt

[porsche_addict]

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

Once the light assembly is off the fender you just need to unplug the bulb, release the little metal spring rods at the center where the plug went in, and the bulb pulls directly out. If you were dismantling all of the perimeter springs, removing glass, reflectors, etc then you did way too much work. Hopefully you're not there yet. - Matt

Luckily I got it reassembled but I did back off on the headlight adjustment screws thinking they were fasteners holding the headlight housing in place. Now I can't seem to get the unit to stay in place. I tightened the bottom screw for the last headlight ring but it is loose at the top. I noticed there is a small clip on the top where the headlight ring has to catch but it is really hard to get it to seat with the headlight seal in place.

[donporfi]

If you have this type of headlights it is very easy to change bulbs.


The bulb in the headlight should look like this


This clip holds the bulb


And the headlight without the bulb looks like this


If your headlights do not look like this one post a picture .

[donporfi]

OOPS I posted too late.

Yes that clip should hold the top of the headlight.
First you have to engage this clip to the lip of the headlight ring. After that you screw the lower holding screw.

[porsche_addict]

Is it the actual headlight you have to clip onto the lip or just the headlight trim ring? I can't get the headlight to move up and over the lip because it is anchored at the bottom of the mount for the screw. I assumed it was the headlight trim ring but it keeps slipping off when I lower it to the bottom screw.

[donporfi]

The bottom is the last thing you screw.
Without the screw you have to hang the headligh tring on the top. then you push the lower part of the headlight ring and screw the bottom.
If you have a trim ring, then you install that one, it is hung also first from the top and after it is screwed to the bottom, in this case the bottom screw is a special one.
If you can post pictures of the parts you have to be certain that we are talking the same headlights.

[donporfi]

Check this post, you can see the trim ring and the headlight and that special screw, if you have trim rings.
Help removing headlights

[porsche_addict]

Still no luck getting the trim ring to hold onto the top clip. It keeps slipping off when I lower it to screw it on. The seal is in the way of the clip preventing the trim ring to seat over the clip. Are you suppose to put the seal in afterwards?

[donporfi]

The seal goes first