64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

[Dan M.]

Recently I changed out my headlights with some T-3's and the headlights on the left side were held in by retainer rings with 3 screws while the rights used rings with 2 screws. Which is correct for an Oct 63 build?Thanks for any comments.

[Richard M.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Dan, It may show it in the 64 AIM. If you don't have one I'll check my 63 AIM in the morning.

[Richard M.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

It appears the bucket was an assembly looking at the AIM and does not show the "dog dishes" & hardware individually.

Rich

[Carl S.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

My Feb 63 has 3 mountinh tabs.
Carl

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

The rings on a Mar64 has 3 tabs on all as you can see from the holders which have the light gold finish.

The screws shown should be 2) 9420683 for tops, 32X1/2 type C and
2) 9420694 for the sides.
The shinny ones are repo's I'm using for the sides which are probably the wrong ones. The top screws may be original? Either way from the outside they look OK. Caution on repo side screws, noticed 2X mine have worked out a little -enough to mark paint if not seen. Have seen these at shows sticking out also. Bet the real screws are fatter, any one have spec on the 0694?

[Stephen L.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Alan, none of the screws you pictured are typical of those used on the stainless rings in all GM products of that era. If you have a junkyard in your area I believe you'll find many of the correct screws in the old cars. Here are some from a GM product.

I just reread your post and misunderstood your screw photo. I thought you were picturing the screws that held the stainless rings in place. I think that your photo is for the painted trim piece around the bucket.

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Yes, they are for the painted trim section which cover the bulbs (needed to add more words). Noticed I'm missing one of the inner screws that Stephen shows.

But that has lead me to another find. It's not on point, but for caution purposes as I mentioned the 9420694 side screws are #8-18 X 1/2 type BA

You will find the repo vendors use the same screw in all eight locations for 64-67, so they are toooo small and will damage paint if they pock out.

NOW back to the question; look below for some info! Here is some from Joe Lucia on 12/19/02 --
"GM #5954892 remains the correct part number for the headlamp retaining ring for 1958-82 Corvettes. Current GM list is $11.40/each. These rings are stainless steel material with the mounting tabs spot-welded on. The tabs often break off, though."

[Dan M.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Alan, none of the screws you pictured are typical of those used on the stainless rings in all GM products of that era. If you have a junkyard in your area I believe you'll find many of the correct screws in the old cars. Here are some from a GM product.

I just reread your post and misunderstood your screw photo. I thought you were picturing the screws that held the stainless rings in place. I think that your photo is for the painted trim piece around the bucket.

Stephen , I noticed by your photo that one of the screws has blue overspray on it just like mine. Were there any other spots?

[Dan M.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Yes, they are for the painted trim section which cover the bulbs (needed to add more words). Noticed I'm missing one of the inner screws that Stephen shows.

But that has lead me to another find. It's not on point, but for caution purposes as I mentioned the 9420694 side screws are #8-18 X 1/2 type BA

You will find the repo vendors use the same screw in all eight locations for 64-67, so they are toooo small and will damage paint if they pock out.

NOW back to the question; look below for some info! Here is some from Joe Lucia on 12/19/02 --
"GM #5954892 remains the correct part number for the headlamp retaining ring for 1958-82 Corvettes. Current GM list is $11.40/each. These rings are stainless steel material with the mounting tabs spot-welded on. The tabs often break off, though."

Joe, Thanks for the info. My rings never had a 3rd tab as there is no place for a 3rd screw in the bucket. I'm wondering what car these buckets came out of. At least now I know which ones are wrong.

[Dan M.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Just Ran across Michael Hanson's post from May 3, 2008. He states 63 and earlier used a 2 screw setup and changed to 3 in the 64 model year. My car is an Oct 63 built vin#2282. I know that Gm didn't always have an exact cut-off for everything and often grabbed the first part on the shelf. Still raises questions. Thanks, Dan

[Domenic T.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Just Ran across Michael Hanson's post from May 3, 2008. He states 63 and earlier used a 2 screw setup and changed to 3 in the 64 model year. My car is an Oct 63 built vin#2282. I know that Gm didn't always have an exact cut-off for everything and often grabbed the first part on the shelf. Still raises questions. Thanks, Dan

Dan,
My 63 buckets are fiber glass, was that the only year for the fiber glass buckets?


DOM

[Bob R.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Yes 63 was the only year for the fiberglass buckets

[Stephen L.]

Re: 64 Headlight rings 2 or 3 tab?

Dan, the blue is overspray from a repaint. The screws should not have any paint on them as the headlight assy's were installed after painting. The screws in the photo are some extras that I wound up with...