Fitting Lucas headlights to a Siem-equipped car

[Nigel]

My hpe had fairly poor headlights, rusty reflectors and a foggy beam pattern. I acquired another set last
year but these weren't much better, and the MOT test flagged them lousy.

After some research, I knew I could fit complete new units with bowls etc, but the adjustment would not
be so accessible.

So last week I ordered a pair of standard Lucas lamps. Then the fun started.
I stripped out the Siem lamp down to what I needed: removed the chrome ring, removed the glass,
[breaking it out pretty much the only way], and cut out the lamp holder.

I then centered the new lamp with the ring, marked out and drilled 3 x 5mm holes in the rim, and made them into
slots with a file. Then 3 more holes at 4mm just above the slots. Once the primer and
paint had dried, I then cable-tied the lamp to the ring. The chrome ring fits well, but can't
be tabbed over like the original method, so several spots of CT1 secures it.

The end result, at present, is ok, but the lamp does protrude forwards about 10mm.
I think I can set it back with some mods to the backplate, more to come on that.

 

[rossocorsa]

Well done, looking good. If you have a coupé, or for that matter if you are not bothered about self leveling an HPE, the easiest way to fit more generic headlamps is to fit coupé Carello type backing plates.     

[Nigel]

Hi Alan
I can't recall what the Carello backing plates look like, or how they adjust,
 but I'm assuming they take 'standard' lamps?

As it happens, my self-levelling system never worked, so that issue never arose!
As you suggest, there are easier ways to do this.

Regards
Nigel

duh..spelling edit.

[peteracs]

Hi Nigel

In my Carello based ones, I used Hella lamps which were originally used in the likes of Capri and same era BMWs, so yes they do appear to adhere to a standard fitment.

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Peter and Nigel

I sent back Lucas lights and generic H4 ones recently I had hoped to use with my spare Carello plates and bowls. The fitting tabs on the back did not line up with the Carello bowl slots and I would have to get busy making all new slots. Which I might have done if the quality of the light units had not been so poor. Apparently now the generic and Lucas items now come from the same Indian factory with Quality control not a priority. The lens moldings were obviously soft edged which is not good for lights.

The only high quality H4 & H1 units I could find are Hella units BUT they are flat fronted which looks wrong on our Betas. I am using NOS SIEM units and back plates on the car which have stainless trims that sit nicely forward on the curved lenses. I also have stainless retaining rims for my Carello set up but these do not sit forward in the attractive way the SIEM ones do. It took ages to find new usable dust shields for the H4 units.

We have a real problem now finding decent RHD H4 light units with rounded lenses (Dip units). The H1 are easier because they are the same for RHD & LHD and last far longer.

I have enough to get buy for now, but many owners are barely scraping through MOTs on their lights now.     

It was not hard to get the Carello backing plates and bowls blasted and powder coated and the springs and adjusters plated BUT new headlight units now!

Eric   

[rossocorsa]

I sent back Lucas lights and generic H4 ones recently I had hoped to use with my spare Carello plates and bowls. The fitting tabs on the back did not line up with the Carello bowl slots

That's strange Eric, I always thought that the standard tab pattern was what is known as 'sealed beam' style aligning with the sealed beam lamps that used to be compulsory in North America. Very odd for aftermarket lights not to comply with this.   

[peteracs]

Hi Eric

I actually prefer the Hella flat face style just to be awkward….

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Alan

I was surprised they did not line up and frankly annoyed so I went and got out all of my 10 Carello bowls and it was just the same.

Eric

Peter

With your early grill the flat front lights look fine and Hella units are great quality. However I still think the round lens units look right with the VX & IE set up.

Eric   

[mtulloch]

Hi Eric

I actually prefer the Hella flat face style just to be awkward….

Peter

Me too, I've had a set fitted to my VX for 20 years.