427 Headlight Trim Rings

[Obsessive]

I have an early 4000 series from Shelby. The headlight trim rings that came with the car are an absolute pain in the neck. In the 15+ years that I've had the car, I have never had the darn things on the correct way. They are designed to snap on with no set screw, etc. The trouble is, they wont snap on evenly and I have never had them installed in a way that they look evenly installed around the headlights. The attached photo, albeit a bad picture, shows the uneven installation. It's the same with both right and left rings. I even tried heating them before installing. Years ago, I called Roy Hunt at Finishline Motorsports and he told me they're extra tricky but could offer me no more advice.

Now for my question...

I have seen trim rings for sale (I especially like Acton's set) that appear to have a set screw at the bottom of the ring for installation. Will these work for my vehicle? Are they easier to install?

Thanks for the help gents.

Mike

[Nedsel]

The originals used set screws at the bottom.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by Nedsel

The originals used set screws at the bottom.

With the set screws, do they come on/off without any convincing? I swear the ones I have were designed to have a special shoehorn that must have fallen out of the box before delivery.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

I have an early 4000 series from Shelby. The headlight trim rings that came with the car are an absolute pain in the neck. In the 15+ years that I've had the car, I have never had the darn things on the correct way. They are designed to snap on with no set screw, etc. The trouble is, they wont snap on evenly and I have never had them installed in a way that they look evenly installed around the headlights. The attached photo, albeit a bad picture, shows the uneven installation. It's the same with both right and left rings. I even tried heating them before installing. Years ago, I called Roy Hunt at Finishline Motorsports and he told me they're extra tricky but could offer me no more advice.

Now for my question...

I have seen trim rings for sale (I especially like Acton's set) that appear to have a set screw at the bottom of the ring for installation. Will these work for my vehicle? Are they easier to install?

Thanks for the help gents.

Mike

Mike
I, too, have an early CSX car and can echo your dislike on the trim rings. I can't even remember how to get them off now, it has been too long since I last struggled with them.

[csx4017]

CSX4017 came with trim rings that incorporate the lower attachment screw. They come on and off easily, however the headlight plastic housing ( bucket ) is visible between the body and ring...........It seems that if your housing does not provide the boss for the retaining screw you may need a new generation housing. CSX4017 was built in 2007...........My only complaint is the less then acceptable chrome on my trim rings.......Hope this helps

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by csx4017

CSX4017 came with trim rings that incorporate the lower attachment screw. They come on and off easily, however the headlight plastic housing ( bucket ) is visible between the body and ring...........It seems that if your housing does not provide the boss for the retaining screw you may need a new generation housing. CSX4017 was built in 2007...........My only complaint is the less then acceptable chrome on my trim rings.......Hope this helps

Great information. Thank you!

OK Nick, this is your invitation: Will your trim rings require a modification to (or replacement of) my existing headlight housings?

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by DougD

Mike
I, too, have an early CSX car and can echo your dislike on the trim rings. I can't even remember how to get them off now, it has been too long since I last struggled with them.

Doug D,

My car was built at the same time as yours. Mine is 4060. If you purchased yours through Finishline Motorsports, I may have seen yours during it's production. I was taking alot of pictures in those days and may have snapped a couple shots of your car before you took possession. Let me know if you got yours in Vegas and I'll look through my old snapshots to see if I have anything interesting to share with you.

Mike

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

Doug D,

My car was built at the same time as yours. Mine is 4060. If you purchased yours through Finishline Motorsports, I may have seen yours during it's production. I was taking alot of pictures in those days and may have snapped a couple shots of your car before you took possession. Let me know if you got yours in Vegas and I'll look through my old snapshots to see if I have anything interesting to share with you.

Mike

Mike
Thanks for the offer. My car was delivered through Echidna Racing in Minnesota. I tried to buy one directly from Vegas, as I thought it would be fun to pick it up at the factory, but was rebuffed and sent to my region's dealer, Echidna. They promptly went out of business soon after my purchase. I think they delivered a grand total of four cars. I'd be grateful if you'd share any pics of CSX4068 while under construction, but, as I said, it was not delivered through Finishline.
Doug

[mickmate]

The headlights use either plastic (modern) or metal (original) buckets. The plastic ones are OK in that they don't rust but as you know there are some plastics by name, not so much on the properties. They should have a boss or tab on the bottom, slightly off center, that takes a retaining screw that Ned mentions. Look for the boss or tab for the screw on yours. These have a groove around the top to hold the edge of the ring, they swing down over the bottom and align the screw hole with the boss. Some of the TR headlight buckets I have seen use a trim ring that snaps on. You need 5 hands, your tongue out your left side of your mouth etc to get them hooked over on the edge and wriggled and encouraged progressively down the sides. These have either a groove or clips pretty much all the way around. They are a trick for sure. If you don't have the screw hole on the bottom you might be able to change out your rings to that style. Also note at the same time you're playing with it and they are either 2 adjuster or 3. There is also a rubber gasket between the bucket and body, and a dust seal behind the ring many people leave out. I find that is a nice protection against excessive moisture rusting up your adjusters. If you don't have facility for a retaining screw you can change out the buckets noting of course some of the previous features. The irony of all this rambling is I'm about to hit the words "post QUICK reply".

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by mickmate

The headlights use either plastic (modern) or metal (original) buckets. The plastic ones are OK in that they don't rust but as you know there are some plastics by name, not so much on the properties. They should have a boss or tab on the bottom, slightly off center, that takes a retaining screw that Ned mentions. Look for the boss or tab for the screw on yours. These have a groove around the top to hold the edge of the ring, they swing down over the bottom and align the screw hole with the boss. Some of the TR headlight buckets I have seen use a trim ring that snaps on. You need 5 hands, your tongue out your left side of your mouth etc to get them hooked over on the edge and wriggled and encouraged progressively down the sides. These have either a groove or clips pretty much all the way around. They are a trick for sure. If you don't have the screw hole on the bottom you might be able to change out your rings to that style. Also note at the same time you're playing with it and they are either 2 adjuster or 3. There is also a rubber gasket between the bucket and body, and a dust seal behind the ring many people leave out. I find that is a nice protection against excessive moisture rusting up your adjusters. If you don't have facility for a retaining screw you can change out the buckets noting of course some of the previous features. The irony of all this rambling is I'm about to hit the words "post QUICK reply".

Thanks Nick. My buckets are metal, coated black. I'll pop a trim ring off and see if there is a set screw hole. I have tried so many different ways/times that I am convinced that these trim rings will never fit these buckets. Maybe I was dealt a mismatch from Shelby.

In any case, I think I am going to pull the trigger and buy your trim rings and hope that they fit or (at least) that I can modify the existing buckets to accept them.

One more (ok, two more) question(s): What is the purpose of the brass rivet on your set and are the rivets coated with something to prevent the brass from tarnishing? Maybe the tarnished look is the correct look?

[mickmate]

Hi Mike the brass rivet is added for originality. They had a small tab riveted to the underside to hook the top edge on. The rings with the brass rivet are NLA, so of course I make em. The rivet was originally chromed brass. If you've seen one in bare brass they are correct original with the chrome flaked off. I am using nickel plated brass rivets.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by mickmate

Hi Mike the brass rivet is added for originality. They had a small tab riveted to the underside to hook the top edge on. The rings with the brass rivet are NLA, so of course I make em. The rivet was originally chromed brass. If you've seen one in bare brass they are correct original with the chrome flaked off. I am using nickel plated brass rivets.

Thanks Nick. I just returned from the garage where I pulled one of my trim rings off to inspect for a set screw hole. Even that effort about kicked my ass. No holes. I wonder if you can send me a picture of the bottom of a headlight bucket (preferrably installed in a car) that shows the hole. Does the set screw go into the chromed ring that holds the headlight in or is the hole on the bucket itself? My buckets have a metal flange that sticks out only about 1/4" from the vehicle.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

[LMH]

Hey Nick
The original assemblies were made by Lucas, right?
Are there accurate metal assemblies made now? Do you sell them if so?
Larry

[1985 CCX]

Nick

Pictures..........................

[Obsessive]

Anyone have pictures of the set screw hole at the bottom of their original headlight buckets? I looked closely at mine (to see if I could get Acton's trim rings to work with my CSX4000 headlight buckets) and it looks like I have no tab that will accept a set screw. If I can see a picture maybe I can modify the ones I have. I was thinking that I could either weld a tab on or possibly use an epoxy (like Liquid Weld) to secure a tab.

If this is not possible, the next option is to replace the headlight buckets altogether. Anyone know where I can get them?

[rsk289]

The tab comes as a separate clip that slots into the metal bucket. There are two types: one with a spring clip, for the no-screw rim variety, and one with a hole, for the screw. I would guess Nick has them, or these guys have:
7 in Headlamp Rim Catch Screw Type - Lighting from Holden Vintage & Classic

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by rsk289

The tab comes as a separate clip that slots into the metal bucket. There are two types: one with a spring clip, for the no-screw rim variety, and one with a hole, for the screw. I would guess Nick has them, or these guys have:
7 in Headlamp Rim Catch Screw Type - Lighting from Holden Vintage & Classic

Perfect! That's exactly the kind of news I was hoping for.

Nick: Do you have these or chould I source them elsewhere? I'll call you next week to order your trim rings with the correct rivets.

[mickmate]

I have them, $2.95 each.

[1985 CCX]

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by mickmate

I have them, $2.95 each.

God bless you, Nick! Thanks!