Headlight Gasket

[Tony_H]

Anyone able to enlighten me as to the dimensions of the gasket for the headlight reflector to glass.
Our local supplier has none in stock, and to get postage from US to Australia borders on obscene...
I got a quote the other day from one of the better suppliers there for $14 worth of parts and the postage to Australia was $74. Not the suppliers fault I understand , but you have to think twice before ordering out of the States these days!!
Anyhow.. enough of the miseries.. would appreciate it if you can give me an idea of the gasket dimensions I'll look around for an alternative.

[TRDxB2]

The repro the vendors sell is not the same OD as the original. I believe someone had said it was just window sash cord.
Length is 23.5 (60cm) inches OD 3/16 (4.76mm) inch [repo 1/8 inch (3.75mm)]

[Tony_H]

TRDxB2,
Thanks for that. Appreciate the photo.
Now to look around for something... the wife's away and some of the sash cords look tempting

[Wayne Sheldon]

Sash cord or similar heavy duty string is what I have usually used. Used to be able to get clothesline cord about the right size. One caution though. Several years ago, I used a piece that had an orange colored synthetic fiber center. Not exactly like the original, but it was the right size and looked good. The only real problem was that I drove the car in a heavy rain, and the orange center ran! It stained the cord, streaked onto the lens, a bit of a mess but not much to clean it up. I don't think it was intended for wet laundry! But it was something I had picked up in a yard sale, so I didn't know what it was supposed to be anyway. Other than the running orange? It worked fine!

[Tony_H]

I was thinking about trying to find a cotton type rope or cord rather than a synthetic type.

[TRDxB2]

I was thinking about trying to find a cotton type rope or cord rather than a synthetic type.

Whatever you use make sure it can compress to make a seal. I wonder if this would work..... Need to cut it so moisture can drain out the bottom position

[Allan]

Tony, what we call sash cord is way too thick for a headlight gasket. The stuff you need is the same type of material, cotton cord, but is about the weight of recoil starter cord. I know of no cotton cord of the correct diameter, but there are synthetics used in venetian blinds, mower starters, etc.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

[Tony_H]

I found a bit of cotton rope 3/16 inch diameter and installed that .
Left headlight lens went on relatively easily, with a little pressure... right side gave me a fight, but I think it was more due to the headlight bucket and the slots that the rim rotates in being slightly out of shape that wouldn't allow one lug to lock properly... any how think I have it sorted , glass is in, rims locked on and the lights work.... moving on to hub cap threads for my next venture into frustration.... I'll be glad when I can drive it out of the shed and in to town for registration...

[Allan]

Tony, 3/16" is about right. If you bring your wheels over, I can use mt Stevens tool to chase the threads for you. It clamps on the good stuf and winds off, cleaning up the damaged section as it does. Sorry, not letting the tool out of my sight.

Allan from down under.

[Tony_H]

Alan, Thanks for the offer... might be a bit of a drive from Qld.. I saw you in Maryborough at the Nationals so you know the Qld to SA travel time. I have a hub puller and I'll give it go chasing the threads... failing that the wire brush and thread file and a lot of patience...

[Allan]

Tony, I would work it in your reverse order. Use the thread file to clean up the thread first. This will eliminate damaged sections on the outer end. you can even totally remove some of that long thread on the rear hubs. Then use your wheel puller to clean up any remaining irregularities. The thread in the cast iron puller will appreciate you cleaning up as much of any damage as you can before screwing it on. Don't you deserve a break from the floods? nice and dry down here.

Allan from down under.

[Tony_H]

There has been floods in our district...Grantham is just 8 k's away and has had a re-run of 2011, but not so severe as most of the town was relocated to higher ground. My place is flood free.. I have 40 acres of high country. The house is 150 ft above the valley floor, so if we get flooded there will be an old man with a boat full of animals sailing past.
Thanks for the heads up re the process. Be nice to find one of those Stevens t181 lying about but that is a loooooong shot I'd say.
Patience and persistence needed , as with many other aspects of T restoring.