1963 Headlight mounting plate
I am restoring my 63 headlights and need to replace the metal plate that the headlight brackets are mounted to. This is a thin plate attached to the headlight housing with four small bolts. None of the catalogs or headlight schematics show this part. The 1963 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manual does not show this part either. I am wondering if this plate is part of the lamp assembly, although none of my parts catalogs list it. Any help from someone who has been through this before would help.
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
John,
I too need to rebuild/restore the headlight assys. on my '63 and have been examining my parts and planning how to proceed, but I admit I'm puzzled about what part you are referring to. It sounds like you are talking about one of the plates at the end of the headlight housing (the housing that rotates). If so, these plates are not attached to the housing with bolts as you describe - they have a bonding strip riveted to them and are bonded to the headlight housing. Perhaps you are looking at a repair a previous owner made? I remain puzzled. If you could post a picture of what you are dealing with it would help.
E. Vrem -
Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
John, i think this is the item you refer to, i had a heck of a time locating a pair way back when, seems to me there was a 60's gm that was close, but i just can't recall, they are left and right, which adds to the degree of difficulty, good luck,Comment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
Might have the metal buckets 64-67 style and be talking about the pivot which is attached with 4 small screws.Comment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
Doug,
The item in your picture is what I call the headlight bucket. '59 Chev passenger car headlight buckets are the same config. as '63 Corvette and can be made to work. '60 Chev passenger car may also be the same as '59, but I have not verified this. I have a pair of the '59 pass. buckets I could post some pictures of if anyone is interested (and if I can learn how to post pictures).
Eric V.Comment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
Well Guys, you came through for me. Doug's picture is exactly the mounting plate I was referring to. Based on what everybody is saying, these things might be tough to find. I can't understand why none of the parts catalogs that show schematics of the headlight components show this part. The schematic in my 1963 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manual(page C184) only refers to component#17 as the "4 lamp assembly". A lot of help that is. Since it may be difficult, or near impossible. to locate new replacements, I think I will just clean mine up good, paint them black and use them.
Another annomaly - the headlight bezel shown in all my 63-64 schematics show the two bezel mounting screws entering the sides of the bezel where mine enter from the front. Again, the "official" assembly manual shows them entering the sides. What gives here? I'm not exactly sure if my car is classified as "early 63' or "late 63". Were there any variations made during the model year? I was afraid somebody made some modifications before me but this is unlikely since I've owned the car all but 3 years of its life. First owned by a doctor, then my x-brother-in-law and then me in 66. I haven't tackled rebuilding the headlight assemblies yet so I've got that to look forward to. Thanks again for the expert help.Comment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
John, just assume screws in the front for your 63 are correct.
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
John,
Early 63 headlight bezels mounted with 2 screws in front. Not sure when the change occurred, but our late Feb 63 coupe has the screws on the sides. However not sure if they're originals or not. Take care of those as they are rare.
I haven't seen repro buckets either.
RichComment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
Several changes in 63. Very early had no upper screws. Then they put screws in the front. After a time they were installed on the sides. There were also several changes in the buckets too.Comment
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Re: 1963 Headlight mounting plate
John:
Check the last two Drivelines for the metal buckets. I recall seeing them advertised.
PaulComment
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