The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1938 Chevy Panel Truck Headlight installation question -- Help!

Hey fellow bolters... I'm at the point in my 1938 Chevy Panel truck build that I'm ready for some headlights. I have the original headlight buckets and also had previously purchased some new chrome headlight bezels. I did some research and found that originally, the 1938 Chevy trucks had the bucket, a reflector assembly that held the original bulbs, a separate clear lens, seal and bezel. I didn't want to use the reflector setup so I contacted Chevs of the 40s and they suggested their sealed beam headlight gasket kit and standard sealed beam bulbs. I ordered and received these items but now can't figure out how to install them. I was disappointed that there were no instructions with the shipment. The conversion seal that I received has a grooved side and then a round rubber seal. I don't know if the groove is supposed to go around the edge of the headlight or around the edge of the headlight bucket. I've tried both but neither seem to be working. Anyone ever used this seal/gasket from Chev of the 40s? Would very much appreciate any assistance! Have a Great Saturday and with any luck, I'll have headlights installed before the day is over!

Mmmm, I have a 37 but can't remember back to 2000 when I put the headlights on it. I do remember cutting a little rectangle out of the inside rim of the headlight bucket so I could buy a regular seal beam light and the little square glass tabs on the headlight would fit into the bucket. Then I think I simply used the chrome ring with a gasket behind it.....as best I can remember.

I'll try look up the Chev of 40's and see what you got.... .but you may already have them fixed!!!

I appreciate your feedback. The tabs on the back of my headlights match the tabs in the bucket so I guess the gasket/seal conversion kit just spans the space in the chrome bezel and holds things tight. Gonna give it another try! Thanks again!

....getting them suckers aimed good is another story!! Good luck. Sounds like you got it figured out. Let us know.

I guess that's why they called them tilt-rays so that you could adjust up and down by moving the entire bucket. Left and right... That's another story.

On my '38 coupe the only real adjustment is up and down done using the screw in the bottom of the housing that moves the reflector. The truck has a different housing however and I don't know if the adjustment is the same. Keep at it, where there's a will there's a way.

The truck adjustment is done with the stand. Loosening the stand bolt that holds the bucket a small amount allows the bucket to pivot in and out and up and down.
The original stands are prone to crack from the weight of the bucket. There is a guy on Ebay that makes an improved stand with reinforcement to prevent the cracking.