Hi guys! So whats the best way to align my headlights on 71 442 just finished. Read the assembly manual and and the blue book. Still dont know what to do. Help please.
AL

 

Found this link on line that should help.

http://www.socalsacc.com/Headlight%20Aiming.htm

 

Here is another version that should be able to be adapted to the service manual instructions.

Step 1: On level ground, put your vehicle in front of a wall as close as possible.

Step 2: With tape, put 2 crosses on the wall that correspond with the vertical and horizontal center lines of the headlights.

Step 3: Move the vehicle back 25 ft., keeping the vehicle centered with the tape crosses on the wall.

Step 4: Examine the light pattern & adjust as needed.






Low Beams should be hitting the lower right sections of the crosses.

 

I've all ways used my four panel garage door.

Just a little above the first panel....where the seams meet into the second panel or there abouts. Masking tape is a good idea.

If people flick their brights at you, its too high.

Seriously, a good question. I hate having other people do this for me. Since no two cars are alike, like driveways and garage doors, your milage may vary. And so will the weight in the trunk or lack there of.

Good post mr rcrac3r

 

Thanks for the help,
AL

 

thanks for the info. More info from up north-Allan would not be happy!

 

I actually remember my dad aiming the headlights on his 1970 Ford 1/2 ton using the same method

 

After looking at this link , are the high beams on the inside with the low beams outside then for a 70 Cutlass?

 

Should be. Thats how it is on my '72. The outside lights are both hi/low beam & the inside lights are just highbeam. According to the manual adjust the outer low lights first, then cover them up & switch to high beam to adjust the inner lights.

 

Just out of curiosity, do people ever mod harnesses and put hi/lows in the middle, maybe with a low cutout switch so you can decide when you want extra lows?

I would think it would give you good rain lighting, and maybe save a ticket if you lost a low beam on one side.

 

I just bought a 72 Cutlass, base model, 2 dr hardtop coupe, the driver's side outside headlight was out, I replaced it with a new Sylvania H5006 Xtravision. After installing the light I noticed the inner headlights on both sides were not coming on at all, low beam and high beams were both on the outside headlights, all in one type of thing.. Did I do something wrong? And to tell you the truth when I bought the car the other day, I don't remember checking the Hi-Beams, so I can't tell you if it was working before.

Thanks, Not a Mechanic, lol.

 

The Sylvania H5006 Xtravision looks like it only has 2 terminals on it. If you installed it in the outer headlight position then yes that is incorrect. The outer lights have 3 terminals for both the hi\low elements where as the inner lights only have 2 terminals for just high beam.

 

Can't say that I've heard of this being done. Others on CO might have. In any case, depending on how sticky law enforcement is in certain areas they will ticket you for a headlight out regardless of how many others are working.

 

Laws generally allow no more than four bright front lights at one time, usually two headlights, or two headlights and two fog lights, or two headlights and two highbeams.
You may be able to get away with four low beams, but you may get tickets for having your brights on all the time.
The highbeam-only bulbs do have a different pattern than the highbeam pattern on the low/high bulbs.

- Eric

 

x2, a good point indeed.

 

Thanks for info. Did not know that about the hi only pattern. I knew there was a reason it wasn't done.

 

The '72 chassis manual has a good pic for aiming the headlights. I imagine the '71 would be the same.