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I have been working on headlight housings and bezels for my 68. I have found that there are two different size metal headlight bezels for 68. I don't recall this being mentioned before. Just thought I would post it. I will check the part numbers but I am telling you. The large metal headlight bezel won't fit the small headlight lid. Comments wellcome. Terry
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
The 1968-69 Judging Guide lists three sizes of headlight doors and bezels for 1968, but it doesn't give a lot of particulars. See page 24. -
Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Here's the problem that got all this started. I have the original headlight doors for my 68. I purchased a bezel for the right side door and found that it did not fit. I put it on a 69 headlight lid and it fits real nice. So it is obvious there is a size difference. Interestingly though, the assembly manual shows that the bezel has the correct part number (stamped on the back side). So, I am not sure what to do now. I will have to search for another bezel. Just thought I would let people know. If someone has a right side headlight bezel off a 68 for sale, let me know. I might be interested. Regards, TerryComment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Terry,
The 68 bezel that does not fit, Is it too wide? I have Four that all appear to be too wide. I think I have a couple more cracked ones in storage that I can check tomorrow.
Also what size are your headlamp doors? They're an odd shape to measure but front to back measured at about the middle of the door I come up with 9 11/16. Measuring the width at about the middle of the door I come up with 14 13/16.
I measured a '70 this week and found that the doors were 9 3/4 by 15. I had always believed that the doors became deeper over time. I don't know where that belief came from. Apparently they became wider.
Is this consistant with what your seeing?
My vin is 401580Comment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
The bezels I have for the right side are too wide. My headlight doors fit perfect. My measurements are perpendicular to one another across the center of the door. The length is approximately 14 13/16 inches and the width is 9 11/16 (that's taking the tapemeasure and following the curve of the door).
My headlight doors have the rounded bosses like the 67 and earlier corvettes use to sit the headlight capsules on. So they are 68 and they both measure the same.
The bezel that fits correctly on the left side has the correct part number of 3911143LH. I measured across the back of its opening and it measures roughly 14 3/16 inches (outside to outside of the opening). The two bezels that I have that don't fit measure 14 1/2 inches across the same opening.
The two right hand side bezels are the same casting configuration/molding. The left side casting looks different in many respects compared to the right side castings and it fits like a glove to the left side.
Hmmmm, need to find a right side 68 bezel.... TerryComment
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May built car original front end. *NM*
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Re: May built car original front end.
I believe you are Missing the key part of a '68, that is that the top surround and the headlamp doors are both unique to the '68 corvette. The headlamp opening in the surround and thus the matching doors, bezels and such are all about 1/4 inch smaller in width and length than the later issue units. Many '68 cars have been "fixed" with the later surround as that was the only one available in service for many years. the '68 upper panel was P/N 3930491, the replacement was 3938117. The '68 is unique in many ways, this is just one more.Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Mike, my vin is 419034, so it is a little later than yours. Sounds like we are seeing the same things. Thanks for sharing the information. Made me feel a whole lot better about what I was seeing. Thanks, TerryComment
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Re: Different headlight bezels, same part number.
I guess what I am trying to do is make the point that not only are there different size headlight doors but there are also at least 2 different size headlight bezels for 68.
I would kind of like to know when the headlight adjuster part of the headlight housing transitioned to the later version that used a concave surface to glide the headlight capsule on. I suspect that may have been the last version of headlight doors used in 68 and may have been very late in production and was probably used from then on in later production cars. Really not that important because I think I have identified my problem with the headlight bezel.
I kept looking at the problem from the point of view that something was wrong with the headlight housing. It simple turns out that there is more than one size of headlight bezel, but they have the same part number stamped in them! I would have assumed them different enough to warrent a different part number. But, I guess not. I think the problem is solved for me. Thanks, TerryComment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
You got me curious on this, so I measured mine, and following the same locations for taking these measurements, mine came out to be 15 1/4 " by 10 1/4" - VIN # 21943 (June '68 build date). No way can I verify these to be original, but they were in the same crusty, crummy condition everything else was! re: "looked original".Comment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Are you measuring the opening or the door. I measured a late model door and it came out to 9 3/4 X 15 1/8 inches roughly. I can't tell if anyone has done anything to it though and I don't know its history. Thanks, TerryComment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
It is sometimes hard to tell if the front end has been replaced, etc. In my case I found the original paint under a couple coats of everyone elses paint. That is usually a good sign. People are not as detailed at removing all the original paint before repainting. TerryComment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
I measured the door, only because I have them in my shop ( I have to replace the cast frames) - the body is at the painter's shop. Forensics showed that my right fender had previously been repaired, but the left "appeared" untouched, but I have no documentation....which probably isn't much help for you. I am certain of the dimensions thoughComment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Mine are definitely 15 1/4 by 10 1/4, and are very corroded on the back side. Darned if they don't look 37 years old !!Comment
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Re: 68 healight lid and bezel unique?
Interesting...if you get a chance, measure the headlight door openings. I would be curious what size they are. You have a later car then mine, it is possible you are into the later hood surround. If you get a chance, measure the opening of the headlight bezel. Thanks, TerryComment
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