De Soto Frank Posted September 16, 2013 Report Posted September 16, 2013 Hey gang, I'm trying to resolve some grounding issues with the headlights on my trusty, crusty '41 S-8. Does anyone know if the post war buckets ('46-'5?) will work on the '41 fenders ? The biggest design change that I can see was the switch to stainless-steel bezel rings; the '41 uses a heavy die-cast trim ring, with four studs that go through the headlight bucket ring & fender, and take 5/16-18 nuts on the backside, essentially clamping the bucket between the Bezel and fender. If the sheet metal stampings are similar, I could probably adapt the post-war buckets to my car... Short of that, am looking for NOS or very good used bezels (p/n 866209 - right, and 866210 - left), and buckets for '41 S-8 Deluxe. Thanks ! De Soto Frank Quote
desoto1939 Posted September 16, 2013 Report Posted September 16, 2013 Frank: Not sure of the answer to your question, But of other concern is that you have the turnsignal or parking light in the top of the headlight trim ring. Is this a seperate bucket fromt he main sealed beam bucket? If there are seperate buckets then I would think it should be the same bucket style witht he plastic three blade connectors. Also check that you wires are tight ont he headlight black onthe innerfender or if it attaches to the radiator on some cars. Also check that the headlight block is tight and is not moving where it bolts to the metal. Could also run a ground of the headlight block. Just a thought. I know the 39 desoto setup better than the 40 and above. Hope this helps, just a thought. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com 484-431-8157 cell 610-630-9188 home valley forge pa Quote
desoto1939 Posted September 16, 2013 Report Posted September 16, 2013 Frank checkout this listing on the Ebay: 1941 1942 1946 1947 1948 Chrysler Bullseye Sealed Beam Headlight Assemblies Do a seach on this and they have the buckets and bulbs might be a good example fo ewhat you are looking for Seem to be NOS or very good used condition. Rich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted September 17, 2013 Report Posted September 17, 2013 I don't know if it will help with your problem but I ran a ground wire directly from the bulb connection to the frame on my truck . I didn't like the factory grounding method . Quote
De Soto Frank Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Posted September 17, 2013 (edited) Rich & Jerry, The issue is bad chassis grounds, and I am in the process of adding dedicated ground wires to each headlight bucket, but passenger-side bucket is about half-missing from rust, adn the driver's side isn't much better.... so I'd really like to find decent buckets. ( And even if/when I find better buckets, I will still keep the dedicated ground wires ! ) Thanks for the suggestions ! Frank Edited September 17, 2013 by De Soto Frank Quote
Roadkingcoupe Posted September 18, 2013 Report Posted September 18, 2013 "The biggest design change that I can see was the switch to stainless-steel bezel rings; the '41 uses a heavy die-cast trim ring, with four studs that go through the headlight bucket ring & fender, and take 5/16-18 nuts on the backside, essentially clamping the bucket between the Bezel and fender." Just to make things a little more complicated.... In 1941 Plymouth had diecast or pot-metal Headlamp doors (bezels) as you describe. However they also produced a pressed steel headlamp door (bezel) as well. So a 1941 Plymouth was manufactured with BOTH a diecast and stamped steel bezel. After 1939 the "shaped" headlamps were fazed out and the sealed beam round headlights were standard practice. The inner bucket is similar for your DeSoto and you may find and easy replacement from a Plymouth. As previously mentioned the marker light differs on your DeSoto. Quote
De Soto Frank Posted September 18, 2013 Author Report Posted September 18, 2013 With the '41 DeSoto, the parking light is actually mounted on the top of the die-cast bezel, with another lens and bezel that go on top. There is a slot cut in the bezel to allow the parking light wire to snake-up from the harness loom to the #55 parking light bulb. The only accomodation in the headlight "shell" ( as the parts manual calls it), is that the shell has a flat area across the top, to allow clearance for the top-mounted parking light, as found on Chrysler, Dodge, and De Soto. Also, the cable loom enters the headlight shell through the top (!), which is sealed by a rubber gland and clamp-ring. Don't know if this was re-positioned later on ? Quote
52b3b Joe Posted September 20, 2013 Report Posted September 20, 2013 If I get some time, I'll could get under our 41 and compare it to our 48. What I can tell you, is that on our 41 DeSoto, my dad had the same problem. The buckets were just about gone like yours. He found other generic 7" headlight buckets for who knows what and fit them in the car. Most headlight buckets are generally the same design and it doesn't take much to fit something different in. I don't think anyone would ever be able to tell that ours are not "41 Desoto" buckets except that now I just told all of you. If I had to guess, the 46-48's would be very similar with limited modification (if any) to swap in the 41. Quote
De Soto Frank Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Posted September 20, 2013 If I get some time, I'll could get under our 41 and compare it to our 48. What I can tell you, is that on our 41 DeSoto, my dad had the same problem. The buckets were just about gone like yours. He found other generic 7" headlight buckets for who knows what and fit them in the car. Most headlight buckets are generally the same design and it doesn't take much to fit something different in. I don't think anyone would ever be able to tell that ours are not "41 Desoto" buckets except that now I just told all of you. If I had to guess, the 46-48's would be very similar with limited modification (if any) to swap in the 41. Joe, I'd appreciate any help I can get... That is a BEAUTIFUL S-8 Custom you have there ! Love the color scheme ! Frank Quote
52b3b Joe Posted September 24, 2013 Report Posted September 24, 2013 (edited) Sorry for the delay, it slipped my mind until tonight... From what I can see, the 48's looks identical to the buckets in my 52 B3B. It doesn't look like a direct "bolt on" fix, but I would think that with a little modification it would work. I think it would be easy to adapt any 7" headlight buckets to it. I'm not guaranteeing anything, but just from what I can see when I crawled under them, they seem slightly different. Edited September 25, 2013 by 52b3b Joe Quote
desoto1939 Posted September 25, 2013 Report Posted September 25, 2013 Frank: Checkout this posting on ebay for Chrysler headlight buckets. for 10dollars these might solve your problem. Chrysler,1953,New yorker headlight buckets,rust free,L&R,1954,1952.1951,hemiRich HArtung desoto1939@aol.com Quote
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