How To: Mustang Headlight Bucket Assembly

IMG_00081967 Mustang headlight assembly is actually pretty easy to do and the procedure is similar for 1965 and 1966 Mustangs as well as the 1969 and 1970 Mustang.

This How To features the new Scott Drake Ford Licensed Halogen Headlights with authentic FoMoCo markings.

Parts List and Tools

Mustang Headlamp (FoMoCo) 7 inch Round Halogen Sealed Beam

Now available from Scott Drake, FoMoCo Halogen Headlamps featuring authentic Ford markings and upgraded Halogen performance. Product ID C0DZ-13007-A

67-68 Mustang Headlamp Bucket Assembly

Reproduction headlamp bucket assembly. Kit contains most mounting hardware. Product ID C7ZZ-13008-CR and Product ID C7ZZ-13008-CR

67-68 Mustang Headlamp Assembly Mount Kit

A complete kit to mount a 1967 and 1968 headlamp assembly to the fender, everything you need. Sold each, it takes two per car. Product ID C7ZZ-13008-MK

 

C0DZ-13007-A

C7ZZ-13008-CR C7ZZ-13008-MK

Tools

  • Philips screw driver
  • Headlight bucket spring hook or a coat hanger

See “Classic Mustang Tool Discussion – It’s Tool Time!” for other specialty tools


Part inspection

Inspecting your parts before having them painted may turn over some needed repairs, alignment or finish details that need to be corrected.

Below are a few thing that I discovered while preparing this article

IMG_0003 Notice the large square holes in the bucket, there should be three of them. These OEM, off the shelf Ford replacements did not have the third hole punched out. I drilled a series of 1/8 inch holes along the break point seam, once I had a nice beak line I grabbed a pair of pliers to to break the rest of the seam and the piece came out.

This part also needed to be filed in a few areas; the head light bucket spring attaching point had some material left over from the casting process that would have created an installation problem after final paint. The square holes for plastic headlamp door nuts also needed to be cleaned up.


 Hardware installation

Insert the plastic headlamp door nuts

IMG_0012

 

Insert into the bucket so they are nearly flush with the surfaces.

I had to do a little bit of filing on a few of the square holes where the inserts go; they where just not big enough for the plastic nuts to go in all the way.

 

Install the headlamp adjusters into the bucket assembly.

IMG_0014

 

These install from the backside of the bucket with the screw heads facing forward, if you’ve never assembled one of these you may be a little perplexed if you try to install them from the front side.

 

 

IMG_0016

IMG_0017


Head light Bulb Bucket Installation

Install the head light bucket into the housing.

IMG_0023

 

 

This part has two slotted flanges that correspond to the slots on the adjuster screws, it’s design is so you can install this piece by sliding it into place however, I prefer to remove one of the adjuster screws completely, slide the bucket onto the adjuster that remained attached and then place the one I had removed.

 

The slots in the tabs on the headlight bucket are aligned with the groove in the screw heads and the spring is inserted as shown below:

 

 

Install the head light bucket spring

IMG_0030

 

There is a specific tool for this job (see tools MM), but if you don’t have one you can use a wire hanger to get the job done. Hook on end of the spring to the hole in the bucket, be sure that the spring is positioned so the hook end will properly attach to the bucket assembly.

 

 

IMG_0028IMG_0033IMG_0034


Headlight bulb installation

IMG_0039

 

Install the headlight trim ring screws in to three tabs in the headlight bucket, only screw them in about half way. Place Headlight bulb into the bucket, install the ring as shown, give it a twist and tighten up the screws. The last step is to install the headlight door, you may want to wait until you get the bulbs aligned properly before installing these especially if they have final paint on them.

 

 

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6 thoughts on “How To: Mustang Headlight Bucket Assembly

  1. A big help, thanks. These posts really help with the details that aren’t quite as apparent as they seem at first look. My heartfelt appreciation to you, and all the guys who put their experiences put there for us to learn from.
    Vic Colonello — April 30, 2012 2:41 PM

    Great job fellows!
    It’s been a number of years of restoration. Ever notice how much you forgot about the disassembly when you go back to bolting her back up.
    John C — July 7, 2013 7:59 AM

    Where does that black seal in the hardware kit go?
    Ken — August 27, 2013 4:20 PM

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