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My 46 one of those round tuit projects


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I've had these front signal lights for probably 10+ years but when I first got them I couldn't find a decent way to replace the lenses. A few weeks ago I came across them in the shop and gave it a second look. Found some gels on Amazon that seemed like they would work and gave it a shot. They were thin so I ended up with 4 layers but they seem to do the job. 

 

IMG20240618210651.jpg

 

Next I didn't want to drill holes in the frame to mount them. So I went digging in the scrap pile and found a piece of a Weber gas grill that looked like it would work. Made 2 pieces that will attach under the front bumper bolts and put the lights back far enough to not be the first point of contact. 

 

IMG20240714173529.jpg

 

Last night I touched up the paint and they are ready to install. All that's left is to make a spacer as the light hits the frame slightly and then wiring. 

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Installed. When the two bolts were tightened the back edge where the mount is came down a little. Hopefully a little pry bar action will get that back up where I want it 

IMG20240715183313.jpg

 

 

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Funny timing on this thread.  I have always wanted to get a set of arrow style turn signals for my '54, but never found the right deal.  For my birthday my loving wife gave me ebay gift cards for whatever I wanted to get.  I was able to score a great deal with a seller and ended up with four different sets.

I just finished restoration on one of the two that will be on the front fenders.  

 

Signal-Stat, double face with front sided hooded.

 

The group:

resizeIMG_20240720_112411493.jpg.d679187f8494e25b9f989b51ebf9f7c3.jpg

 

Disassembly:

resizeIMG_20240720_133130197_HDR.jpg.f6f8b9a6c2fbce7288d756b16979f208.jpg

 

Glass Beaded:

resizeIMG_20240720_132912163.jpg.b3679b0923f04b5a8a60befaf9778fc5.jpgresizeIMG_20240720_151227043.jpg.a93b3056ed8304683c1b86fe5f8e4318.jpg

 

Polishing the plastic inserts:

resizeIMG_20240720_143550909_HDR.jpg.0788d017916bb9c8dbd71f35271cc89e.jpg

 

Machining new pass thru bolts and a new base flange (original was mashed up badly):

resizeIMG_20240721_094347282.jpg.f237f22a36edbe6dccd7936cf65666c6.jpg

 

Cutting out new gaskets for the ends:

resizeIMG_20240721_105959963.jpg.ebfd4d745a2644f361349282773b574b.jpg

 

Finished one vs. the next one:

resizeIMG_20240721_111809836.jpg.d9c22923be0470c1173aeaf465c88386.jpg

 

Once I get the second one done, I can get them mounted up on the fenders.  

Always loved this style!

 

Your's look great on the '46.  Very period perfect.

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Awesome job on the resto. Amazing the lense cleaned up like that. I didn't even try to clean mine and it actually cracked apart just using it to trace the new ones I cut. 

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Thanks!

 

I choose to go for these partially because it appeared the plastic was still intact.  A lot of them have deteriorated over the years.  Your Gel replacement looks very good.  I was considering some colored acrylic sheet if it turned out that I needed to replace any.  Mcmaster Carr has it for a very good price.

 

The steep arrow pair in my first picture have some cracks, and I have not yet fully taken them apart.  I think those might actually be glass fillers.  They are certainly categorically older than the round ones and weigh about twice as much.

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Now I'm down to decision time. I spent a bunch of time online searching and not finding a decent way to convert the cowl lights to dual filament. So either $60 for the conversion kit or I just leave them singles.

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My 2 cents, if running separate turn signal on the fender, I would not want cowl light to flash also.

 

I also have a feeling about using cowl light for turn signal .... they just to far back to be effective ..... IMHO. several do use them though.

 

Dating some of the women I have in the past, I want everything up front where it belongs .... I'm not certain they can decipher the meaning of a light set that far back in the time it takes to turn at a intersection.

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I've had my cowl lights as the signals for probably 10 years or more. I haven't noticed any issues of anyone not seeing them like I did before when I was using hand signals. 

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Just an opinion, but I would leave the cowl lights as just regular lights.

Given that you have done the nice work on the arrow lights, any additional turn lights in the front would only take away from the arrow effect of those.  

I think particularly at evening or night, the effect of the new arrows will be quite visually appealing alone.

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