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1937 Headlights


Guest cbaker

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Ok, I am getting tired of buying lenses off auction sites, only to find they don't fit. Could someone tell me the Name, Number and size of the lenses that fit a

1937 Dodge D5.

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Just pulled out a 1936 Dodge lens that I think may fit '37 as well to check for size and identifying marks. Here's what I found:

RITEWAY HEADLAMP at top centre of lens

THE CORCORAN-BROWN LAMP CO.

CINCINNATI O. at bottom of lens

U.S. PAT. 1945309

PAT. PENDING

3344 - inside bottom directly behind the above outside lettering - this may be the part number

Width - 7 9/16"

Height - 7 3/4"

Depth ~ 2 1/2"

The lens is oval shaped to allow it to slip into the headlight housing.

It is held in place by spring pressure on the reflector. The reflector is cushioned from the lens by a cork gasket. Once the lens is in place the reflector is anchored by a screw in the bottom of the headlight bucket.

Now if the '37 lenses are different from the '36, then I hope someone with those specs will come forward to help you. Good luck.

Jim

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Master parts book strikes again, superceded numbers possibly?

D-2 model specific parts book ( March of 1936 ) calls for a 652309.

Dodge Master parts book 29-39 calls for a 674173 which is shared with the D-4.

Maybe there was a change with the lenses at some point, maybe that is why there are differences in the numbers.

D-5 is showing a 668356 according to the 29-39 Master parts book and I cant put my fingers on my 37 model specific book right now so I guess it would be best to compare the measurements given and go from there.

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Silly me :o I didn't think to look at my '34-39 DPCD Master Parts List. Here's the scoop:

Part #674173 - fits P1,P2, D2, D4, S1, C7(CDN only), P3, P4, D5,6,7(CDN only) S3(CDN only), C16(CDN only).

This is the one I described and you see in the pictures.

Part # 668356 - fits D5(US built), S3(US built) C14(all) C15(all) andC16(US built)

So if your car is US built then you are looking for lenses that fit '37 Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler. The '36 lenses won't fit. Hope this helps you find what you need.

Jim

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..."The lens is oval shaped to allow it to slip into the headlight housing. It is held in place by spring pressure on the reflector. The reflector is cushioned from the lens by a cork gasket. Once the lens is in place the reflector is anchored by a screw in the bottom of the headlight bucket."...

Just for clarity sake, I would not say the lenses are "oval". They are convex circular BUT have flats ground into both sides of the mounting lip to allow them to pass into the front of the lamp opening before being tilted into place against the cork gasket. ;) I am very sure this will be the same arrangement used on the '37 lenses once you find them.

For 1930 and 32 D2 Coupe - I think there is a possibility that the lenses were changed because of decisions to change the lamp itself. The lamps are "pre-focused" and would be mounted and matched to the pattern in the lens for optimum beam pattern. If you look closely at the filaments of different lamp numbers (that still would fit in your lamp base), you will see the designs are a bit different. That is why the lamp bases are flanged with three offset holes in the flange. That is so the lamp is only put into the reflector one way, both for proper electrical contact and also the properly focus of the high and low beams projected from the lamps. It is probable that the part numbers for the lamps are different at the same time you are seeing changes to the lens numbers.

All in all, I think it is only imperative that the lens has the correct diameter and edge shape so as to properly seal into the lamp housing. "cbaker", you may be able to compensate for a different (read: incorrect) lens pattern by changing the lamp number to match the lens that you are able to find that seals correctly in your '37 housing. This will mean chasing down some number data but 1930 is really good at that! :)

Edited by 1936 D2
added data (see edit history)
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I have always been curious if anyone has ever had any luck with shaving a lens. I have some two-lite lenses that are the correct diam. for the inner portion of the ring ( meaning the part you are able to see sticking out of the bezel is correct ) but the part of the lens that fits into the bezel at the most outward point ( boy I hope I am clear enough ) is just a tad large.

I can get then fitted onto the bezel and then the housing somewhat but boy is it tight.

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I also wonder the stats on people that come here, make a post, and then we never hear from them again........not complaining just amuses me how many private conversations we seem to have amongst ourselves and the original poster with the initial question has prob long found his answer elsewhere and moved along. :D

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quote..........For 1930 and 32 D2 Coupe - I think there is a possibility that the lenses were changed because of decisions to change the lamp itself..............one way to find out, get a different issue of the parts catalog.

Im game.

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I know that quality decorative glass companies have large sanding/grinding machines that can be used to bevel and polish glass used in things like mirrors and oval frames. I would think that this equipment could be used to trim a bit off the diameter of the lenses you are speaking of to get them to the desired size. Maybe check around your area and see if this service is available.

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Yes, thats what I plan to do. I betcha someone has attempted this before though and might have some tips/hints. Might try this ? on the main page and see what comes up, thanks

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Ok, I am getting tired of buying lenses off auction sites, only to find they don't fit. Could someone tell me the Name, Number and size of the lenses that fit a

1937 Dodge D5.

So....did the people at "old car lenses" have your lens?

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Guest cbaker

First let me appoligize for not replying to all your responses. The information and pictures that you provided were awesome. I belive the lenses to be around 8 1//4 inches. As I said I have about 6 or 8 varied size lenses that I have purchased in hopes they would fit or could be modified to fit. Keiser 31, I will contact them tomorrow. Thanks again to all that replied.

Charlie Baker

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