Headlight ring gaskets for 1957 vette

[John S.]

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how the headlight ring gaskets go on. There is a small ridge on one side and it is flat on the other side. Which goes where? Do you mount it on the headlight ring inner circumference or around the headlight and then put on the ring? HELP!!

[James F.]

Re: Headlight ring gaskets for 1957 vette

John,
Originally the ring was stapled together. One staple, creating a ring, stapled butt end to butt end. I don't know how anyone would ever get these things on having to contend with a long strip (which is the way venders sell them). I can't recall which part of the rubber "L" is against the stainless steel headlight ring retainer, I recall it is the longer side of the "L". If correct, the shorter side of the "L" is 3M weatherstrip glued to the chrome headlight rim. Once glued, let it set overnight and when you place the headlight rim over the ss headlight retainer ring, first, put a little silicon grease on the ring and slowly and slightly rotate the chrome ring over the ss headlight retainer to lessen the chance of the glue loosing its grip. Regards,

[roy braatz]

Re: Headlight ring gaskets for 1957 vette

The small ridge is glued to the ring , the longer as you say is the flap (chamfered) toward the front of the ring so that as you push it on the rubber slides and seals the bulb all around so the water won't pass the bulb and short out the wire plug.

[John H.]

Re: Headlight ring gaskets for 1957 vette

After sizing them and stapling the ends together, it helps while gluing them to the bezel to use a small-diameter length of wire wrapped around the "ring" and twisted at the ends to apply uniform pressure to the gasket all the way around while the weatherstrip glue sets up; you don't have enough fingers to hold them so they'll stay located while the glue cures.