The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Headlight bezel and gasket recommendation - 1954 3100

Hello, I have a 1954 Chevy 3100 and as the title states I‘m looking for a recommendation on a supplier for the headlight bezel and gasket. My original set the one is banged up pretty bad so I decided to buy a brand new set of the bezels with gaskets from Classic Parts of America. I’ve had a pretty good experience with them in the rest of the parts I’ve purchased from them. Recently it was time to install them and what a pain in the butt. The bezel looks decent but I was surprised that I had to trim the gasket to length as it shipped as a straight „stick“ that you had to form to a circle and then cut to length. Got that done but then the install was a nightmare. The spring clips that are provided were junk. Don’t even hold the gasket in place. And then trying to fit the combination over the headlight was terrible. I was able to get the passenger side after a couple tries. But everything I tried to do on the driver side nothing worked and I ultimately just put the bezel on without the gasket for now. I tried the old springs but of course the bezels are different between the originals and the repop so they didn’t work.
Anybody have any suggestions on a better quality setup for the bezel and gasket? Thanks

Adam

Adam - I've moved your post over to the Paint and Body Shop as it's the most on topic forum for your question. Fellow Bolters should be along any time to offer their experience and knowledge.

I had difficulties getting mine on ,I had a mix mash of headlight buckets and light holders .There are differences and don’t mix well the clips should be the same but the new rings that I also got have a little different bend on were the rubber and the clips seem to slide off easier.

I never could figure out what it is that we are trying to seal out or seal in. I had such a fit with the aftermarket ones that I threw the seals and clips over the fence and 2 or 3 houses over.

I haven't noticed anything leaking in or out for over ten years.

The only clip that matters is the one that holds the bezel to the bucket. I ended up using epoxy to hold those in place then bent them into the proper position to hold the bezel to the bucket.

I have to agree that this aftermarket headlight gasket are useless. I had the same experience, they didn’t fit. I just don’t install them.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I guess it’s nice to hear I’m not alone in the struggle. But then again it’s unfortunate that it seems like this issue hasn’t been addressed with a good product on the market. Thanks

Adam

Not that another person with the same experience is going to matter but I couldn't figure out how to get my gaskets on, either. The buckets, bezels, and springs are original but the gaskets didn't look like they were made for this truck. They're in a box of other stuff that will never be used but that I can't throw away.

Ha! I have a box or 2 just like that Otto.