Working on paint and body. Found headlight buckets rusted (go figure)! Need a pair if you have some. One is salvageable; one is not. Help! Also may have a '55 rear glass if needed. Not sure if it is tinted. Will check if needed.

 

Here are some 56 headlight buckets ,I don't know if 56 is the same as 55 but they look the same...Tedd http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-...item3f19941484

 

According to the Motors manual The 55 early headlamp assy was p/n 897850, 55 late 898140, and 56 was 897942. None were interchangeable with Buick etc. I've no idea what the differences were or if the 56 could be reworked to fit in a 55

 

I don't know how much of a hurry your in (you will eventually find your parts) or how damaged the bad bucket is but have you thought of fiberglassing it? If the shape is there often holes can be patched over and it's in a place that can't be seen...Just a thought.....Tedd

 

There were a few vendors on eBay that appeared to be parting out 55s, I think one was in Minnesota or Wisc, Montanta. Stuff looked fairly decent. Maybe look for them and send a mesaage asking about buckets. First I'd try to patch up what you have as Tedd suggested.

 

I can repair one of them but the other is pretty much gone. I just thought that if I buy one, maybe I would get better luck with both. Tried a couple from the junk yard from an old truck; too small and not oval. I can get some re-conditioned ones from USA parts for about $39 . Probably go that route. Thanks for the advise.

 

Hey Mike are you still looking?
ck this one out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-55-OLDS...112ab0&vxp=mtr

if not ask here
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/3108877545.html

 

Thanks! I bid on the first one on e-bay. Looks ok except the adj. spring is streched, but mine is ok. Thanks again for the info.. Looked at the one in Calif.. Looks like a good body. I'll keep that one in mind.

 

Wished I would of known about that California car a couple months ago, could have used that hood...Tedd

 

No problem glad I could help. BTW, danchuk chevrolet sells the nylon inserts and adjustment screws that fit our cars, it's always a good idea to toss those old dried up ones if you already have it apart. Don't know if the spring is the same but they have it as well.

http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=12233

http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=1155

Wish I would have found it earlier for you because I know the feeling good parts have a tendency to hide from the person needing them, a good reason why forums like this are important

 

Ya, the insurance company was into the one we found about $1700 before it was even painted.....Tedd

 

I had a chance to look at 55 and 56 housings this past weekend.

These are 56s:

56Oldsheadlights.jpg

and the backsides, which look similar to 55s:

56Oldsheadlightsrear.jpg

Here's a 55 on left and 56 at right, one of the biggest differences along with overall depth is the stepped lip at the top on the 56, whereas the 55 is gradual:

55v56Oldsheadlights.jpg

Another difference is the lamp housing, this is the 56, you can see a tab at about the 9 o'clock position that goes thru the chrome ring that secures the lamp. 55 does not have this:

56Oldsheadlightbucketrear.jpg

Another view from the front, tab is at 12 o'clock:

56Oldsheadlightbucketfront.jpg

I did place a 55 chrome bezel on the 56 bucket, and it actually seemed as if you could relocate that little bracket the top screw engages into, up to the very top hole used to mount the housing to the fender, and it could possibly work on a 55. The tab is best seen in the first photo on the right unit. However there may be other obstacles once the housing is actually mounted into the fender, and you'd have to study this further to see if actually feasible.

 

Been of vac. Just not saw the post. Thanks for the pics. I am going to have to look closer at mine later (it is pouring rain now) because I think I may have one side a 55 and one a 56. When I removed them, the driver side had the chrome/stainless bulb retaining ring and the other did not. When I took them off, I really didn't inspect them that closely.

 

Not sure if anyone is still looking, but I saw these 55 buckets listed on eBay:
http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...0~~myRCP240_ct

 

Thanks but I have recieved two from Texas with some bumpers I bought. Thanks for the info. though!