Bent headlight base

Dan from WI · Jan 26, 2015

Working on making my 8N pretty and decided to get some paint on it. My old headlights were crunched and the base on the right side was bent. Question of the day is can this base be straightened. Looks like a cast light metal and I am afraid it will snap if I try bending it back. any suggestions will once again be greatly appreciated!

Brendon Warren · Jan 26, 2015

I've straightened one. Just go very carefully.

7080316 · Jan 26, 2015

Do you have a large vise? Use wood between the part and the vise teeth and be crank her flat, if you need more persuasion to get it all the way, you can stack the wood in such a way that you can bend past flat to get her to stay flat. Another option is a hydraulic press doing the same with the wood. The last thing I would try is heat, but you can always go that route too, just don't get it hot enough to cut it and make it ugly...

Jeff

Del Huebner · Jan 26, 2015

Yes, as Brendon said, take it slow and I used a block of wood top and bottom to absorb some of the pressure from my 20 ton press.

Den N Ms · Jan 26, 2015

No two pieces will react exactly the same. Some will seem soft and very compliant. Others are brittle and will break even if you heat them. I would warm it to just too hot to handle & tap it gently to see the reaction. Pot metal melts at700- 800 degrees, it heats real slow & then holds the heat, it doesn't change color and then you get a puddle on the floor. If your not a wham, bam kind of guy, take a 1/4 " plate & drill a hole for the boss to fit through.clamp the wing with a piece of 3/4"board and a c clamp on the board.Round end in a vice with a board put a little pressure on the vive and warm again with the propane lightly while tightening the vice.If it works Great! If it breaks ,look for a good used one or a repro.

Dan from WI · Jan 26, 2015

Thanks for the advice folks, I got it pretty close with a couple c clamps. Drilled a hole in one board to accomodate the mount and then gently clamped both ends down while sandwiched between some one inch boards. I got most of it out and did not want to press my luck.

Bent headlight base

Dan from WI

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Brendon Warren

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7080316

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Del Huebner

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Den N Ms

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Dan from WI

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