SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: Bossbill on August 23, 2021, 12:33:43 PM

Title: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: Bossbill on August 23, 2021, 12:33:43 PM
My car has a flat taillight panel with the deep taillight boxes. The lens bezels have studs.

I was trying to refinish my bezels (thanks for the tips, Bob G.) and had my original Ford lenses nearby so I test fit them together.
I was surprised that the bezels have a built-in lip so that the lenses are canted. A lot. The car is way up in the air with another car under it so test fitting is difficult.

I gather the small reveal is up. Right?

Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: Bossbill on August 23, 2021, 02:39:20 PM
That's an original Ford lens and an S7MS bezel.
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: GT350DAVE on August 23, 2021, 05:41:48 PM
Yes, flange up.
Dave
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: Bossbill on August 23, 2021, 06:23:27 PM
Thanks, Dave!

The whole taillight panel and light assembly is mindbogglingly strange.
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: 67411F--0100-ENG. on August 23, 2021, 07:32:16 PM
Quote from: GT350DAVE on August 23, 2021, 05:41:48 PM
Yes, flange up.
Dave

Hello Dave,

Just double checking with you on this.  The flange on these early taillight frames goes on top of the lens, and not the bottom of the lens?

Thanks,
Eric
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:22:47 PM
As the lens sets in the tail panel more of the lens protrudes from the bezel at the bottom then at the top. That way the lens surface is mostly vertical to the ground.
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: greekz on August 23, 2021, 09:32:06 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:22:47 PM
As the lens sets in the tail panel more of the lens protrudes from the bezel at the bottom then at the top. That way the lens surface is mostly vertical to the ground.

Is the installation as critical on later cars?  Or, either way is correct?

Thanks,

Greek
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:50:45 PM
Quote from: greekz on August 23, 2021, 09:32:06 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:22:47 PM
As the lens sets in the tail panel more of the lens protrudes from the bezel at the bottom then at the top. That way the lens surface is mostly vertical to the ground.

Is the installation as critical on later cars?  Or, either way is correct?

Thanks,

Greek
The Shelby lens was designed to be pretty much perpendicular to the ground (as much as possible given the crude mounting) so one way will be correct and the other not.
Title: Re: Flat taillight panel fitup
Post by: greekz on August 23, 2021, 10:18:15 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:50:45 PM
Quote from: greekz on August 23, 2021, 09:32:06 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on August 23, 2021, 09:22:47 PM
As the lens sets in the tail panel more of the lens protrudes from the bezel at the bottom then at the top. That way the lens surface is mostly vertical to the ground.

Is the installation as critical on later cars?  Or, either way is correct?

Thanks,

Greek
The Shelby lens was designed to be pretty much perpendicular to the ground (as much as possible given the crude mounting) so one way will be correct and the other not.

Thanks, Bob.