Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Greetings all.
When I got my '31 826 , there was a bunch of boxes in the back. One box held a pair of loosely assembled driving lights. The PO had started on restoring them. All chrome and silver plating done, a couple of parts missing, but a good start. I was able to purchase a damaged shell with the bits I needed and swapped them over. So, I am in need of the seal for the lens.I contacted White Glove but he has not got back to me.The old ones were there but are in tatters. Also, the rubbers in the front of the crown are hard as a brick. Was going to make O rings out of vacuum hose. Thoughts?

The other problem is mounts. I have everything to clamp them to the bumper bar, but it looks funny. I would like to mount them to the tube between the frame rails. My thought was to use a pair of con rods for clamps, and cut off the beam and weld a piece of round bar to the stub of the beam. This would move the lamps back closer to the plane of the headlights. Any other options, thoughts?

Olsons Gaskets can probably make the lens seal using a closed foam rubber if there is enough left of yours to use as a pattern. Otherwise you could use the actual components and trace them to paper, make a full-size scan, then send them over. I can’t help with the mechanical bits or other rubber.

I am going to an O ring place to get an O ring and a back up ring and see if that works. I went down to Olson Gsk for a head gasket. Very interesting place. It would be very expensive to have only 2 gaskets custom made. I can get a length of O ring stock and cut it to length and glue the ends together. Retired , got time. Foam backer rod is another possibility. can be glued into an O ring.

Actually Olson’s is very inexpensive for custom gaskets and I use their services all the time for that purpose.

While still on topic, how is the reflector held in position? There is no pin or tab to stop it from rotating. Friction , fear , or what? I see the lens has a recess in the edge that keeps it in place. I have never seen inside an original or repro. I got this pair loosely assembled but incomplete.

Do you have the correct mounting brackets for your Trippe Lights? They arc back from the front bumper cross bar so the lamps sit in the perfect position relative to the radiator - just above the tube you refer to.