The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Front signal lights

My front orignal turn signal lenses, 1951 3100, were cracked so i ordered some replacements and new chrome outer trim pieces as well as new gaskets
I figured this would be easy, just take out the two screws and take out the old lense and trim piece and thats it.... well what a pain in the [censored] this job turned out to be!
I got the old trim, lense and gasket out but i couldn't get the new pieces in. I followed the shop manual which said to undo the two mounting nuts and push the unit up, which i did, but there was not enough room to put the gasket, lense and trim piece in between the housing and the grill bars. No matter where i moved the housing, there was not enough room to reassemble it. I worked for over two hours and finally gave up. The units look like they are original as does the grill.
Is there a trick to doing this???
Thanks.
Cadee.

Cadee -- Sorry for the delay in getting you an answer. I think the Cricket Chorus was telling you that as far as anyone here knows, there is no trick to it -- just settle in with some patience and get 'er done, I suppose. You really shouldn't have to go to any great lengths to get that job done, so if you are still having issues, there might be some other issue affecting it. It really amazes me just how many "easy little jobs" in this hobby turn out to be monumental pains in the patootie.

Sometimes the new Chinese replacement parts aren't quite the same dimensionally -- just enough off to give some trouble.

If you're still having an issue, let us know.

Cadee,over 150 views on this thread and only one reply...wow,we're not usually this shy!

Like John already mentions the repop parts are not always as accurate so consequently require a bit of tweaking to fit.
I too had a slight issue with mine resulting in me dropping a lense!
I take it,you are using the original shells?

I'm assuming the problem is with the top grill bar stopping the chrome surround and gasket going in and seating correctly?
I put it partly down the the cork gasket thickness,bear in mind the original ones would either have been thinner or just compressed after 60+ years.
You could try leaving the main mounting nuts slightly loose to allow some play,then try and set the glass,gasket and chromes in place,then tighten the nuts.

Two other options, try and get some thinner gasket material and make them the only issue there is the chrome might then foul the side of the grill frame or alternatively play around with the mounting holes in the grill itself,access might be tricky though.

Just throwing a few suggestions to you,good luck.

I will chime in... Yes, removing/installing the lights/lenses with the grill in the truck is a PITA. Be patient and have small hands. Also, I found that the repop lens trim is close but not exactly right. I little judicial grinding on the trim ring here and there solved the problems with fit. Of course I sealed the edge after grinding with clear enamel.

If you haven't managed to get it in place yet I can tell you my story:

Bought new lenses and chrome trims from china, was almost the right size. Almost! Also it was all plastic, so when I pushed a bit to hard it all cracked. So I threw them away, ordered som American parts from the us of a, and they fit perfectly! Took 5 minutes, seals perfectly and looks nice.

So I guess it's worth the extra money for some real parts.

Thanks for the answers guys. I am using the original "housings/shells" but with aftermarket glass lenses, gaskets and chrome trim.
The aftermarket gaskets are very thick compared to what little was left of the originals...at least i think the gaskets were original.
Jockbolter said "I'm assuming the problem is with the top grill bar stopping the chrome surround and gasket going in and seating correctly... yes this seems to be where I am getting hung up.
I am going to try to trim these new gaskets to a smaller thickness and see if that helps. If that doesn't work i will look at trimming the chrome trim piece.
I have dropped these aftermarket, probably chinese, glass lenses at least 6 times onto my gravel driveway, and they never broke or cracked. I guess the quality is ok! Sizing...well that might be another matter.
As David F says...you need small hands. Maybe i will get my 13 daughter to give it a try!
I honestly was getting a bit worried that with all of the views, and no replies, that i was the only one with this problem.
I'll give it another shot this weekend.
Well thank you all again for your replies.
Brad...AKA Cadee.

If it's a gasket issue, can you get some thinner gasket material and just cut yourself some new ones? I'm having trouble imagining how you're going to trim your existing ones to make them thinner.

I was thinking the same Rich,better sourcing some cork sheet,rubber or neoprene and starting from scratch.

Rich and Jockbolter, you are right, i was going to try to make the gaskets/seals thinner by cutting them but...buying some gasket material in the correct thickness will be alot easier.
Thanks again for the great advice guys!
Brad.

Good luck Brad,let us know the outcome.

Then you might get you're very own Tech Tip on the Stovebolt!