Even though they are one of the defining characteristics of a C2 Corvette, the repairing or replacing the roll-over headlights can be one of the biggest pains you’ll encounter in restoring a C2. In this video we found on YouTube, the guys from Red Dirt Rodz give us an overview of how to get the job done while keeping your sanity intact.
It’s not uncommon for the headlights to be badly damaged, malfunctioning, or missing altogether in a C2 that needs restoration. Luckily, the aftermarket has just about any parts you might be missing, right down to a complete replacement kit, like the one Red Dirt Rodz picked up from Melrose T-Top for their 67 C2 Roadster. The kit includes every nut, bolt, screw, and hard-to-find component that you literally could spend a lifetime searching for individually from scrap yards or eBay.
Overall, the install is time consuming, and requires quite a bit of forethought, but all in all it’s definitely the type of job the average enthusiast should be able to do themselves. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few “gotcha’s” that you’ll need to watch out for, but luckily having a great video like this from Red Dirt Rodz to walk you through the assembly will make the job much, much easier on you when it comes time to work on the headlights of your own second gen Corvette.
Related post: C2 Headlight Bucket Assembly
Article courtesy of Clifton Klaverweiden, Corvette Online (www.corvetteonline.com)
In the process on installing new hardware on 64 corvette headlight bucket following your written instruction and a YouTube video by Jefferson Bryant. However attempting to install bearing it does NOT slide on the shaft as shown in the video. I would appreciate and suggestion you might have on how to proceed.
When you say the bearing, it sounds like you are referring to the pivot support balls? The OD on the pivot shaft should be right at .750″. The ID on the 442025 original type pivot support ball from stock is .753″. These slide right over the shaft with little resistance. I also checked the nylon 442026 pivot support balls, and they are even larger at .763″ ID. They seem to fit fine as well. If your parts will not slide together, either the ID on the pivot ball is off or perhaps the pivot shaft is damaged or the wrong size. Measure the pivot shaft and pivot support balls to see which one is causing the problem and clean them up or replace if needed.