Front turn light housing bezel

[yahrt]

I started test fitting light today, and at the slightest touch the chrome bezel from one of the front turn signals feel off, it is attached by a press fit, when reattached it is pretty loose, tested the other light and was also unimpressed with the fit, any work arounds? Thanks

[EZ$]

Not sure it will help cause I'm not there yet, but Jeff Kleiner posted some time back about putting an O ring on the turn signal units. My notes show that online it is part #S79329, a pack of five 329 Silicone O rings. They're a 70A durometer, 2" ID and 2-3/8" OD. Hopefully Jeff will see this and post a comment. Can't remember if the O ring was to make the turn signal unit seal better against the body, or solve the issue you're dealing with. Hope you solve it.

[cv2065]

I used some RTV at the base of the lamp. Seems to keep them in place.

[Derald Rice]

Not sure it will help cause I'm not there yet, but Jeff Kleiner posted some time back about putting an O ring on the turn signal units. My notes show that online it is part #S79329, a pack of five 329 Silicone O rings. They're a 70A durometer, 2" ID and 2-3/8" OD. Hopefully Jeff will see this and post a comment. Can't remember if the O ring was to make the turn signal unit seal better against the body, or solve the issue you're dealing with. Hope you solve it.

Sorry EZ, but your dimensions must be for something other than the parking light bezels.

From Jeff's (Captain O-ring) original 42 cent modification post:

2 7/8" I.D. by 1/4" rubber O ring installed between the bezel and body makes it more better.

[EZ$]

Leave it to me to get my notes screwed up! Probably explains allot about my build!!

[jrcuz]

I believe the "O" ring is strictly cosmetic to fill the gap between the base of the light unit and the chrome bezel. I've had 2 "O" rings in waiting since Jeff posted it a few years ago.
It seems if I just look at mine they want to fall off.
JR

[silver_pilate]

I bent the tabs in just a tad more to tighten the bezel fit to the light.

[silver_pilate]

If anyone has a link to order a few appropriately sized O-rings, let me know. I've hunted and had no success locally and most of the specialty O-rings websites to order are very confusing to navigate.

[GWL]

I've done some research regarding this front turn/parking light.

I can't understand FFR's choice for this part they include with their kit. It is an incorrect part and FFR has been using it for over 10 years. Their tail lights are a better solution with an amber lens, which is easily available. The original '65 Cobra part, Lucas L539 came with a clear lens similar to the one FFR supplies in amber but the chrome bezel on the FFR unit is just not right as a push on somewhat interference fit. I've found that sometime in 1965 original 427 Street Cobras changed from the L539 clear to the amber Lucas # L691. This lamp has the chrome bezel coming all the way back to the body with two screws holding the lens to the light unit that in turn mounts to the body similar to the supplied FFR unit.

Interesting discussion here on clubcobra site and where I got the above information: http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/originality-forum/120114-correct-front-turn-signal-lights.html

Now this light unit Lucas # 691 came on many different British cars, one being the ’68 TR-250, of which I drove as my daily driver, for some 15 years. Some of these lights were just used as turn signals or parking lights, or even tail lights (2 wires-ground & hot) or came with a dual filament bulb and extra wire (3 wires), Lucas # 692, like the FFR unit that includes parking and turn signal in the same light unit. Now it does get a little confusing because these lamps also came with red, clear or amber lens. The amber lens showing up on the Cobra sometime in ’65.(after Sept '65 via British regulations) The two separate rear lights on Cobras and the FFR roadster are Lucas #692’s with red lens.

1968 TR-250, not mine
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49740621903_72aa4242aa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMpFXn)02-_D8O0044 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMpFXn) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

Cobra, CSX3281, amber lamp is a Lucas #691 or 692, I'm not sure how the originals were wired, as parking only or as parking and turn signal as our roadsters are
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49741490287_d61f7496d7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMu96v)Screenshot (28) (https://flic.kr/p/2iMu96v) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

Amber aftermarket today, two wire single filament lamp
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49741166316_6946f7dbd8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMstMN)s-l1600z (https://flic.kr/p/2iMstMN) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

George

[CraigS]

Wow, George this is excellent info.
Silver, try here for O-rings and anything else you need.
https://www.mcmaster.com/o-rings
You can start your search by size and then type of material. When you get to a chart listing many #s click on one and it will pop up a small window. In there will be a clickable "Product Detail". Click that and you will get dimensions for that specific part. If you have questions just call them. They have always been super helpful to me. You can order right w/ the phone person or go back to the website and order. BTW they are super fast. My record is a little over 23 hours from the time I got the confirmation email til the box was at my door.

[jrcuz]

I ordered the Lucas 692A Front Park/Turn Amber Light from Cobra Performance today not cheap but looks like a much better fit than the ffr supplied front units. I'll post on the lights when I receive them.
JR

[GWL]

I have just received a set of the new Lucas L692 Amber lamps to replace the FFR supplied front Park/Turn signal lights. I got them from Jolly Rogers Motors for $65 for a pair of them. Ordered over the weekend and received them today, Thursday. They are located in Shutesbury, MA. I have done business with this guy before. I once met him at the British Invasion Car day in Stowe, VT and sold him a bunch of British car items I had for sale. He buys both old and new for resale. You’ll notice he has some interesting NOS items too. This is the link for the lamps, L692. When you go to order you choose Red, Amber or Clear lens and whether you want single of two filaments.
The 2 in the number represents two filaments. Some sellers put an ‘A’ at the end of the number representing ‘A’ for Amber.

https://jollyrogersmotors.com/store/p/813-Lucas-L691/L692-Lamp-Pair-New.html

Here is a shot of the L692 mounted. Easy fit except one thing. See below
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754893452_19298b8fdc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQoy)IMG_8382 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQoy) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

Picture of FFR supplied front light, note the chrome ring does not come back all the way to the gasket and body of the car. One solution has been to buy an ‘O’ ring to fill in that space. A very cost effective solution which should be considered. If someone knows the part number of such an ‘O’ ring please post. That, however, does not fix the problem of the chrome ring falling off. It is somewhat of an interference fit. The amber lens twists on while the chrome ring is simply pushed on over the lens until tight.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754023913_ffc0dac2e5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNAnUv)IMG_8387 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNAnUv) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

Note the difference in size of the lens. I believe it will be much more visible.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754893262_f8034f7fef_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQkh)IMG_8390 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQkh) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

A side shot of both, note how much more side vision the L692 lens will produce.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754023863_ddb259c7c0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNAnTD)IMG_8393 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNAnTD) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

This is the back side of the L692 lamp. Note the two wires Red and Green for the two different filaments. The black ground wire, however, does not go into the back of the lamp like it does on the FFR supplied lamp. It attaches to the side of the back fitting as shown here. It may be more prone to corrosion from water spray from the front wheel. I, however, am fitting Alex’s Wheel Well Liners which will cut down the rain/water spray from the front wheel drastically. I will also coat the exposed connection with dielectric grease.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754554181_336f0bd4b0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iND6x4)IMG_8385 (https://flic.kr/p/2iND6x4) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

I had to open the body opening, for the lamp, a bit to fit the ground wire attachment point.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754893347_5bf43d2b6f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQmK)IMG_8386 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNEQmK) by George Ligon (https://www.flickr.com/photos/161275344@N04/), on Flickr

George

[jrcuz]

Thanks George, I wish I had waited a couple days would have saved $20. I was worried about the larger diameter of the L692A base but it looks like the body mounting area is perfect. Thanks again for the post.
JR

[FLPBFoot]

Not sure it will help cause I'm not there yet, but Jeff Kleiner posted some time back about putting an O ring on the turn signal units. My notes show that online it is part #S79329, a pack of five 329 Silicone O rings. They're a 70A durometer, 2" ID and 2-3/8" OD. Hopefully Jeff will see this and post a comment. Can't remember if the O ring was to make the turn signal unit seal better against the body, or solve the issue you're dealing with. Hope you solve it.

Rick,

I think the 2 inch o-rings are for the wheel spinner insert to hold it up against the inside of the wheel hub.

Steve

[phileas_fogg]

"A 2 7/8" I.D. by 1/4" rubber O ring installed between the bezel and body makes it more better."

Here's a link to Kleiner's original thread: https://www.ffcars.com/threads/42-cent-upgrade.484369/ It's worth reading just for the grief Miller gives him.


John

[Avalanche325]

The "right part" on a Cobra is very rarely a single part. It either needs to be a list, or CSX**** specific.

Cobras came with both clear and amber front lights. They also came with both ones shaped like the tail lights and ones just like FFR sends.

Here are a couple just like what FFR uses.

CSX4567
https://russoandsteele.com/vehicle-details/?show_vehicle=171133&current_index=10&total_results=138&tsauction_id=197&=&caryear=&caryearto=&search_text=&page=featured&showpage=1

CSX3178
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo16/monterey/lots/r194-1965-shelby-427-cobra-csx-3178/380123

Dick Smith's 198
http://wasaac.org/dsmith/dsmith03.jpg

126027

[GWL]

Thanks George, I wish I had waited a couple days would have saved $20. I was worried about the larger diameter of the L692A base but it looks like the body mounting area is perfect. Thanks again for the post.
JR

It was a perfect fit to the body looking from the front.

I've done a bit more searching and other Cobra dealers like Superperformance have the early 427 style amber and sometimes clear lamps but their chrome bezels go all the way back to the body. Go to that link above, that John posted, and there are some pictures of the difference in the older style lamps. That was a fun read with Jeff K and daBat going back and forth.

George

[GWL]

The "right part" on a Cobra is very rarely a single part. It either needs to be a list, or CSX**** specific.

Cobras came with both clear and amber front lights. They also came with both ones shaped like the tail lights and ones just like FFR sends.

Here are a couple just like what FFR uses.

126027

I agree, but FFR's is not really correct. In general style, yes but in function, no. The interference fit of the chrome bezel, which is the reason for the original posting, is not correct and the chrome bezel does not come back to the body as they do in the examples you have shown us. The change came in September, 1965 when the rules/laws in England changed requiring amber front parking/turn signals. That law did not occur here in the US, but the cars were being made in England. So, early 427 Street Cobras had the FFR style with clear lens while later 427's had the later style amber lamp that I've shown above.

George

[EZ$]

Steve,
Thanks for solving the mistake in my notes! I knew it was for something, but I must have referenced it to the wrong item. That will solve another issue that I was scratching my head over. So with the 1/4" tubing in the top of the windshield, that's three things this thread has solved for me!

[Scott Zackowski]

Well done guys!

Excellent discussion.

Very Helpful.

[jrcuz]

I received my Lucas 692A lights today and just finished installing them. All went well just like George shows above. I didn't use the brackets that attach to the quick jack mounts and the turn signal fasteners. George were you able to use those brackets? I like the look much more.
JR

[yahrt]

In 2015 the o-rings were" 21 cents each at True Value Hardware". I am having a heck of time finding some in 2022, even on-line. Has anybody found them recently on-line? If so where? Thanks

[jrcuz]

I bought "O" at true value hardware a few years ago. Also try online at the Oringstore.com
Jr