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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Alignment of Hood, Headlight and Eyebrows
Posted by: jack20 May 16 2015, 11:44 PM
Hello,
My car is a 74, has had no body damage and appears very straight. The only problem is uneven gaps in the headlight area. Has anyone come up with a logical sequence of alignment of the three components mentioned in the thread title? I have gone at this three times now and always end up with unsatisfactory results.
Thanks,
Jack
Posted by: 76-914 May 17 2015, 08:03 AM
I set the hood first and lights last. Have you tried to loosen the brackets that hold the eyebrow. Are the conical rubber tit's worn? Is your hood seal new?
Posted by: jack20 May 17 2015, 08:32 AM
I set the hood first and lights last. Have you tried to loosen the brackets that hold the eyebrow. Are the conical rubber tit's worn? Is your hood seal new?
I didn't know that the eyebrows had moveable brackets. The rubber grommets are either new or in great condition. Hood seal is also in great condition.
I'll start with the hood...again. This is my third try at this. The hood seems to want to return to its previous position. I've loosened the bracket on both sides of the headlight assembly. Where are theyebrow brackets?
Thanks for the response.
Jack
Posted by: toolguy May 17 2015, 09:23 AM
There are no 'eyebrow' brackets, only the rubber mounts. . . therefore the location of the 'brows are the fixed item for the most part short of bending the 'brow tabs themselves. . put them in place first.
Once the 'brows are in place, adjust the hood to get even gaps on all sides. . then the headlight pivots can be moved to align the headlight doors to have even gaps. . This isn't a 'one time try' item. . you'll find you have to repeat the process to end up with even gaps on all sides. . just takes time and patience. .
Sometimes helps to only loosen one side of the hood at a time when trying to set the side gaps. . hard to explain.
Posted by: Johny Blackstain May 17 2015, 09:32 AM
There are no 'eyebrow' brackets, only the rubber mounts. . . therefore the location of the 'brows are the fixed item for the most part short of bending the 'brow tabs themselves. . put them in place first.
Once the 'brows are in place, adjust the hood to get even gaps on all sides. . then the headlight pivots can be moved to align the headlight doors to have even gaps. . This isn't a 'one time try' item. . you'll find you have to repeat the process to end up with even gaps on all sides. . just takes time and patience. .
Sometimes helps to only loosen one side of the hood at a time when trying to set the side gaps. . hard to explain.
might want to consider loosening the hood latch as well, possibly removing it altogether during the alignment process. Might also consider removing the springs so you can open & close @ your leisure (you can use a broom stick to prop the hood open). Having another person helps a lot. Still, lots of trial & error.
Posted by: r_towle May 17 2015, 09:36 AM
Hood first, check gaps at fender and cowl...get those the way you want them
Everything else moves and can be adjusted to match the hood.
Posted by: altitude411 May 17 2015, 10:51 AM
You see so many w/ hoods that aren't adjusted correctly. That gap above the front bumper top.... 
I replaced the rubber grommets on the eyebrows with small machine screws and nuts to give them adjustability. Patience 
. Patience. 
Posted by: pilothyer May 17 2015, 11:38 AM
An article here on The World by Sir Andy may help you when trying to get the head lights lined up: http://www.914world.com/specs/headlight_adjustment.php
Posted by: mepstein May 17 2015, 01:02 PM
You see so many w/ hoods that aren't adjusted correctly. That gap above the front bumper top.... I replaced the rubber grommets on the eyebrows with small machine screws and nuts to give them adjustability. Patience
. Patience. It's up to you but the rubber grommets are there for a reason.
Posted by: Kansas 914 May 17 2015, 01:44 PM
It's up to you but the rubber grommets are there for a reason.
If you ever get your fingers in between the eyebrow and the housing when the headlight goes to autoclose you will be missing fingers...
Posted by: altitude411 May 17 2015, 02:17 PM
Are your kidding me? 
... maybe I should remove the doors & the trunk lids so I don't slam my fingers in them as well?
Posted by: r_towle May 17 2015, 08:18 PM
I set the hood first and lights last. Have you tried to loosen the brackets that hold the eyebrow. Are the conical rubber tit's worn? Is your hood seal new?
Wait, I missed this.
You wear conical rubber tits when adjusting the hood?
Posted by: RARE 6 May 17 2015, 10:08 PM
Just about to wrap up reassembly of my -6 after a panels off repaint. Only exterior thing left is the eyebrows. Anyone know a source for the conical rubber tits? I need a full set for each side. After my last respray in 1979 the brows were mounted with screws and nuts and I want to go back to original.
Posted by: altitude411 May 17 2015, 10:13 PM
http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Eyebrow-grommets-set-of-6-914EYE.htm
better safe than sorry... you might get your fingers cut off. 
Posted by: PanelBilly May 17 2015, 10:22 PM
Keep in mind that you can alter the arch of the hood to make it longer and shorter. A little pressure makes a big difference
Posted by: RARE 6 May 17 2015, 11:33 PM
http://shop.914rubber.com/914-Eyebrow-grommets-set-of-6-914EYE.htm
better safe than sorry... you might get your fingers cut off.
Thanks, we'll have to compare -6s some day.
Posted by: mbseto May 18 2015, 06:58 AM
Are your kidding me?
... maybe I should remove the doors & the trunk lids so I don't slam my fingers in them as well? A lot of guys here have kids in the garage. You are right next to the doors and trunk lids when they open and close, and they are manual, so it's easier to keep little fingers out of the way. Headlights can close while you are not near them. A little safety margin is not a bad idea.
Posted by: altitude411 May 18 2015, 07:11 AM
Hey guy's I appreciate the concern... this is a car we're talking about and not the ball pit at a Chucky Cheese. Common sense man. 
Posted by: Kansas 914 May 18 2015, 07:57 AM
Hey guy's I appreciate the concern... this is a car we're talking about and not the ball pit at a Chucky Cheese. Common sense man. Turn the knob on the headlight motor a few turns and watch what happens - even with the key off. It cycles the motor and your hand is right there. People that don't know about that can get mangled.
Posted by: altitude411 May 18 2015, 08:08 AM
Ok, enough. Please, I've owned my car for 35+ years... I know all about how the headlights work. How about I put a huge sign on the front bumper of the car that warns small children and old ladies how dangerous the headlights are? Would that make you happy? Get off my six (so to speak) 
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=102086
Posted by: RobW May 18 2015, 08:29 AM
The head lights adjust more than you think. Like others, I line up the gaps on the hood and spend the rest of the time adjusting the headlights and then the valence.
On the ABM, I had to adjust the latch too. Something changed when all the parts were zinc coated...
Little stuff makes it a pain to line up.
Posted by: jack20 May 18 2015, 10:56 AM
As always, you have provided great information...and a few laughs 
I was able to make a big improvement. Not perfect...yet, but much better.
Thanks!
Posted by: Kansas 914 May 18 2015, 12:39 PM
Ok, enough. Please, I've owned my car for 35+ years... I know all about how the headlights work. How about I put a huge sign on the front bumper of the car that warns small children and old ladies how dangerous the headlights are? Would that make you happy? Get off my six (so to speak) Sorry - I was trying to be helpful. It won't happen again.
Posted by: ctc911ctc Jan 30 2020, 09:24 AM
I am working this problem right now - I have EVERYTHING lined up perfectly with the exception of the LEFT (when facing forward) eye-brow.
I have new nipples (thank you 914rubber), the part fits perfectly -however- the headlight cover hits the innermost corner of the eyebrow.
I have tried to:
- adjust the headlight mounting via the inner/outer hex-bolts
- move, in a very small way, the headlight covers (perhaps a mil)
- bending the mounting bracket to try and move the eye-brow forward.
There was never any damage to the front of the car. None of the assemblies were rebuilt due to rust which may have moved the mount points, etc.. This is a real puzzle?????
Will add pictures later today.
Has anyone had this perplexing experience?
CTC911CTC
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