Headlamps again!!

[rodlittle]

Who would have thought such a simple system could cause so many problems, Having now found the correct headlamp
pull switches along with what I assume to be the original springs, and made up new mounting plates to replace the rusted out originals, when I come to fit them the springs are too short by about an inch so it is impossible to mount the switch in the correct place without the switch being permanently actuated
From the manual theres no spring length given anyone got any ideas
thanks
rod

[Pastapesto]

Hi Rod

I've just had a look for my springs (am in the middle of a restoration) and cannot find them to measure for you but from memory they are about 8-10mm in diameter amd are about 160mm in length with two little hooks at each end.
There is also a little clip that sits on one of the coils in the middle of the pod return springs that one end of the spring hook clips into and this adds about another 10mm to spring length. When I find one of mine, I will measure it for the correct dimensions. If I remember correctly, when I tracked down some pull switches (correct NOS type) they came with shorter springs of about 75mm which I chucked in the bin (I know I should have kept them ) as they were probably for the motorbike fitting from whence they came.

I hope that helps

Adam

[jk952]

Though maybe not entirely the stock method, one could put a loop of galv. mechanics wire between the spring and the mating loop on the headlight large spring and adjust the wire length until a correct tension is achieved between down - off and up - on. Worked for me.

[rodlittle]

Hi Yes I thought of adding a bit of wire to lenghten the spring but just wanted to check if there is another way of doing it not so much of a bodge, although it is a lotus so maybe that was factory standard anyway

[Allison]

Rod,

I have one in my hand as we speak! Measured in inches (who had mm back then?) the coils are 5 5/8" long adding the hooks at each end the overall length is 7 3/8" its about 3/8" diameter. Surprisingly given that its been on the car since 1974 (possibly since build in 1967) its very taut and needs some effort to extend.

Hope that helps
Peter

[rodlittle]

Thanks Peter I will measure mine, of course if they are the same as yours then I still have a problem

[rodlittle]

Ah well thats the answer then my springs are only 5 inches long so even though they look original maybe theyre not
cheers
rod