TR2/3/3A snap on headlight rims restore

[deuce]

Hi Folks. I'm working on my '60 tr3 headlights. the outer rims are missing the retaining clips..rusted away. Nothing else wrong w them. Polished up very nicely. Has anyone out there replaced those clips. The apparently are not available. I don't even really know what they look like..they're gone. I really don't want to spend $60 apiece for new rims. These are nice, they're original. I'd love to repair them. Thanks

 

[macilona]

A suggestion, if this is something you would find appealing, is to install the headlight stone guards. The clips that hold them would keep the rims in place.

 

[deuce]

Headlight stone guards..hmm. I'll look them up. Thanks

 

[sp53]

https://mossmotors.com/spring-clip-1?assoc=41902

 

[deuce]

Thanks for that link. I have in fact ordered this clip since mine were bad. The corresponding clips inside the chrome outer rim is what I need and seem to be unavailable..though I can't figure why. It seems if one were available it's mate would be also. I'm looking for some of that metal banding to try to make a clip/tab. Even a set screw somehow. I don't know about the stone guards..

 

[CJD]

When parts are too expensive from the big 3 I usually commit to trolling Ebay. Eventually everything pops up on Ebay.

 

[poolboy]

Deleted

 

[deuce]

I made some from what was left of what I had and pictures I found on different forums. Couldn't hurt the rims. If they don't work, worst case, I'm back where I started. Just cost me a couple hours. Maybe they will work. Is that cup half full or half empty?

 

[sp53]

The early cars used a screw that screwed into body on screw clip to hold it back, but with large mouth tr3 getting the screw in is a no room pain. I took a pic of a later type clip, but I am not sure if the end is not broken off some. If you want a pic of an early type with just a hole in the rim I can take one. But the early ones had a little holding clip on the top. I have interchanged them over the years, I think.

 

[poolboy]

Here's another picture of that...it's riveted into place.

 

[deuce]

Thanks for those photos SP53 and Poolboy. I had the clip (the one with the tab) reversed..up against the inner lip of the rim. No biggy..drilled it out..again and reverse it. I don't know how critical the setback from the lip of the rim is..I'll find out. Thanks again. btw, my rims don't look exactly like those. Mine don't have that notch but have a little hole drilled next to the clip. Both rims have the extra hole. Maybe drainage??