[xj] 7" headlamp install?

XJ
1

Hello,
I have been having computer problems lately and can’t get on the forum.
My question is this.
After much fiddling to install 7" lights in my 85 VDP, the chrome trim ring
doesn’t appear to fit correctly to me. There is quite a space between it and
the headlight, almost as if the headlight should be moved forward to fill
the gap. The high beams are not like that. For the life of me I can’t seem
to see anything amiss in the installation.
Could someone tell me if the space is correct or if it’s not, and what the
possible cause might be?
Thanks, Russell
PS; since my computer was attacked by a virus or worm or both , I hope that
it has not affected anyone on this list
My apologies if it has.
This is also the reason it seems that I can’t seem to post on the forums as
yet.===================================================
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2

Russell,

You mean the outermost, large, expensive trim ring, right? If so, are you
sure the upper screw through it is in fact engaging the center of the clip
nut
in the bonnet and not forward of it because of nut slippage?–
Alex
79xj6L SII (BRG + wires)
86xj6 SIII (Black)
61 Sprite MkII (Red)
Menlo Park, Calif.

“R.Barnes” wrote:

Hello,
I have been having computer problems lately and can’t get on the forum.
My question is this.
After much fiddling to install 7" lights in my 85 VDP, the chrome trim
ring
doesn’t appear to fit correctly to me. There is quite a space between it
and
the headlight, almost as if the headlight should be moved forward to fill
the gap. The high beams are not like that. For the life of me I can’t
seem
to see anything amiss in the installation.
Could someone tell me if the space is correct or if it’s not, and what
the
possible cause might be?
Thanks, Russell

===================================================
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3

Russel: the trim rings often sit loosely on the flat lens lamps (but not on
the original Lucas). It is really not important except that there will be
certain amount of jiggling unless you put something between the glass and
the retaining ring. You can use a rubber gasket or a few bits of mastic
sealer, it really doen’t matter.
No, you are not missing anything.
Gregory----- Original Message -----
From: “R.Barnes” barnes86@rogers.com
To: xj@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 8:19 PM
Subject: [xj] 7" headlamp install?

: Hello,
: I have been having computer problems lately and can’t get on the forum.
: My question is this.
: After much fiddling to install 7" lights in my 85 VDP, the chrome trim
ring
: doesn’t appear to fit correctly to me. There is quite a space between it
and
: the headlight, almost as if the headlight should be moved forward to fill
: the gap. The high beams are not like that. For the life of me I can’t
seem
: to see anything amiss in the installation.
: Could someone tell me if the space is correct or if it’s not, and what
the
: possible cause might be?
: Thanks, Russell
:

===================================================
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4

The upper mounting “nut” (one of those spring-clip types) will slide
back-n-forth, so you may want to check out that aspect of the installation
to ensure it is in it’s rearward-most position. If you installed the lower
embellisher clips (not all of us do), they should position the lower edge
correctly.

On my own car, the upper edge of the bezel sits slightly proud of the
leading edge of the fender and no amount of fiddling seems to help…I’ve
seen this on a few others as well. Yet, on, others, the embellisher seems to
sit further rearward.

As for the gap between the lamp and the embellisher, mine has the same thing
and , here again, I’ve seen others where the gap is smaller.

Between the differences in lamps, the difference in embellishers, and normal
“production line variances” during the manufacturing of the fenders, I think
we end up with some car-to-car differences.

I helped a fellow with a 7" lamp installation and we’re still not
done…both the lamps and the embellishers defy proper fit. Very
odd…We’ve resigned ourselves to drilling new holes, something which, by
rights, should not have to be done at all and something which certainly
wasn’t required on my own car.

Doug Dwyer
Longview, Washington USA

My question is this.
After much fiddling to install 7" lights in my 85 VDP, the chrome trim
ring
doesn’t appear to fit correctly to me. There is quite a space between it
and
the headlight, almost as if the headlight should be moved forward to fill
the gap. The high beams are not like that. For the life of me I can’t
seemFrom: “R.Barnes” barnes86@rogers.com
to see anything amiss in the installation.

===================================================
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5

In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Fri 7 Mar 2003:

Thanks for the replies. Putting the metal clips behind the rubber
ring helped a bit. It looks OK now, but it looks like dirt , etc
will get in the space fairly easily, unlike the high beams , where
the trim ring sits flush with , or just slightly proud of the
embellisher.
Russell–
The original message included these comments:

As for the gap between the lamp and the embellisher, mine has the same thing
and , here again, I’ve seen others where the gap is smaller.

–
Russell Barnes
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

===================================================
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6

I’m doing our 86 tomorrow, so will see if I notice any issues. I did our SII
long ago and the trim ring sits about 3/16" behind the top front lip of the
fender.–
Alex
79xj6L SII (BRG + wires)
86xj6 SIII (Black)
61 Sprite MkII (Red)
Menlo Park, Calif.

barnes86@rogers.com wrote:

In reply to a message from Doug Dwyer sent Fri 7 Mar 2003:

Thanks for the replies. Putting the metal clips behind the rubber
ring helped a bit. It looks OK now, but it looks like dirt , etc
will get in the space fairly easily, unlike the high beams , where
the trim ring sits flush with , or just slightly proud of the
embellisher.
Russell

===================================================
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7

In reply to a message from Cannara sent Sat 8 Mar 2003:

There seems to be a bit of confusion here as to what I’m trying to
say.
If held up together the trim ring fits fairly closely inside the
embelisher ring, however on installation the trim ring holding the
lamp is behind the embellisher and somewhat lower, as if the bucket
holding the lamp should be higher and more forward. Apparently this
is normal, but I feel it should be more like the high beam lamps or
the original 5 3/4’’ lamps.
On the high beam lamps, the trim ring is sitting in the
embellisher ring allowing very little space for ingress of dirt ,
etc.
Russell–
The original message included these comments:

I’m doing our 86 tomorrow, so will see if I notice any issues. I did our SII

–
Russell Barnes
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

===================================================
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8

Russell:
Let me put your mind at rest: yes, the chrome embellisher ends up being
not round, but oval, with space at the top, as the screw is tightened. And
yes, this is normal and correct.
Gregory----- Original Message -----
From: barnes86@rogers.com
To: xj@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 5:49 AM
Subject: Re: [xj] 7" headlamp install?

: In reply to a message from Cannara sent Sat 8 Mar 2003:
:
: There seems to be a bit of confusion here as to what I’m trying to
: say.
: If held up together the trim ring fits fairly closely inside the
: embelisher ring, however on installation the trim ring holding the
: lamp is behind the embellisher and somewhat lower, as if the bucket
: holding the lamp should be higher and more forward.

===================================================
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9

Ok, I did one on our SIII today…

a) The outer trim ring comes just slightly behind the top front of the bonnet
eyelid – use a rubber mallet & oil on the ring as gentle persuasion.

b) The clips for the lower ring grips should be checked, and rebent if needed,
so they can be pushed outward & flush against the inner wall of the bonnet
opening when the ring is finally installed.

c) The lower clips go in front of the rubber gasket (as the previously-used
ones I have show in their indentations). Oil all sides of them before
installing and use them and the rubber gasket to hold the screw while getting
everything in. I grease the gasket with silicone oil on both sides.

d) The aluminum vent mesh at the top of the ring may need some pushing down
against the top of the ring. If it’s loose anywhere, use some epoxy to hold
it to the ring.

e) All the clip nuts should be oiled before mounting the buckets.

The fit is slightly different from that on our SII, but that may be because I
didn’t use the lower clips there, but rubber pads instead, so the upper clip
nut could slide backward, bringing the ring closer to the lamp rim.
In any case, it looks great! Though I’ll be driving with one big & one small
on the SIII for a few days. :]

I used the $14 JC Whitney Eagle One lamps, by the way, with 100/55W H4 bulbs.
The inners are same brand, with 60/55W bulbs (yes, rewired for a 4 lamps on
always). No fusing changes needed (except a better fuse box :slight_smile:

If anyone wants the old 5" lamp assemblies, let me know. They’re in good
shape.–
Alex
79xj6L SII (BRG + wires)
86xj6 SIII (Black)
61 Sprite MkII (Red)
Menlo Park, Calif.

Dr Gregory Andrachuk wrote:

Russell:
Let me put your mind at rest: yes, the chrome embellisher ends up being
not round, but oval, with space at the top, as the screw is tightened. And
yes, this is normal and correct.
Gregory

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10

In reply to a message from Cannara sent Sun 9 Mar 2003:

I also installed 7’’ headlamps yesterday, although it is a temporary
install (still waiting on rubber gaskets). My trim rings also fit
a little behind flush with opening. One problem: the buckets were
hard to push back and seat into the opening. The buckets are
pushing into a rubber? half-round piece that is riveted into the
top of the headlamp opening. Should I trim this piece so it will
not interfere with the bucket? Also there is a captive nut
attached to the buckets at the 6:00 position. What is this for?
And lastly, can someone recommend the best place (easiest) to power
the city lights - side markers or bumper lamps?
As always, thanks!–
Don Young - 1986 xj6 vdp
Pima, AZ, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

===================================================
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11

Don, I checked my buckets for that nut, but not there, but I do recall
something on the SII – the lower ring clips were in pairs, I think, and that
nut may have held them.

The flap you mention is to protect the grommet entry in the bucket from spray,
without hurting the wires. I had no trouble with it. However, the long
rubber caps on the gasket that cover the adjusters must align with the holes
in the fender flange, if they don’t, it’s hard to get the bucket in and
impossible to complete the job – just a word to the wise!–
Alex
79xj6L SII (BRG + wires)
86xj6 SIII (Black)
61 Sprite MkII (Red)
Menlo Park, Calif.

Don Young wrote:

In reply to a message from Cannara sent Sun 9 Mar 2003:

I also installed 7’’ headlamps yesterday, although it is a temporary
install (still waiting on rubber gaskets). My trim rings also fit
a little behind flush with opening. One problem: the buckets were
hard to push back and seat into the opening. The buckets are
pushing into a rubber? half-round piece that is riveted into the
top of the headlamp opening. Should I trim this piece so it will
not interfere with the bucket? Also there is a captive nut
attached to the buckets at the 6:00 position. What is this for?
And lastly, can someone recommend the best place (easiest) to power
the city lights - side markers or bumper lamps?
As always, thanks!

===================================================
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12

In reply to a message from Don Young sent Sun 9 Mar 2003:

The little bolt and bracket at 6.00 o’clock I believe is to hold
the bottom of the lamp pot out a slight way from the rear bucket.
I hooked up city driving lights on mine. I bought a DRL box from
CTC. I don’t know how you want yours to turn on. Mine come on when
the engine is running only. I connected the fused wire to a live
wire near the battery coming from the power terminal on the
firewall. I mounted the box on top of the radiator cover. I ran one
wire from the box to each lamp. I tapped a wire into the ground
wire of each lamp in the pots for the driving light grounds. I
connected the trigger wire to the oil pressure idiot light wire at
the sender.
Russell–
The original message included these comments:

not interfere with the bucket? Also there is a captive nut
attached to the buckets at the 6:00 position. What is this for?
And lastly, can someone recommend the best place (easiest) to power
the city lights - side markers or bumper lamps?
As always, thanks!
Don Young - 1986 xj6 vdp

–
Russell Barnes
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

===================================================
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