Carello vs Lucas

[Rally Pack 2000]

6 hours ago, caprimk1v4 said:

Hi,

 

I have 4 of these in the box, but don't know what back bowl they need to be able to use them on a MK2 Escort.

 

They do not fit into the plastic version of the bowl, so am at a loss as to what to mount them into.

 

If anyone can give any info on this, I would be most grateful.

 

The box's have a 75AB part number, so I am 99% sure they are MK2 Escort

 

Ta.

I think you have a mix match of parts there. I dont think those metal headlight holders are are the ones that go with the Lucas H4 lights. The larger bowl like retaining rings go with the earlier round bowl like Col has shown above and was for sealed beam units. It also has a more complex spring loaded adjuster. The later Lucas H4 rings are a much slimmer arrangement.

The thinner later H4 Lucas rings look more like this. (This is an aftermarket one I cannot take a photo of mine at the moment as the car is away atm) Original Ford ones seem to be different to the many Lucas ones and replicas out there as the anchor screw and adjusters are in different positions to most of the after market stuff and could not be fitted to the original buckets without modifications

The Later bowls that go with these rings are either Metal (Early) or Plastic (Later)

Metal

Plastic

The plastic ones pictured are actually for square headlights as the placement of the adjuster screw is in 7 o'clock position instead of the 9 o'clock position although this can be moved. One warning when using original square headlight plastic buckets is that not all of them have the brass anchor screw glued into both positions, its often only one (although I have seen them in both like a new set that's on Ebay at the moment) See photo below. So be mindful of this when purchasing the plastic buckets, while they can be made to fit its best to get the right one from the start.

Brass Anchor screw in position for square headlights with hole for 7in round lights is empty.

When I get my car back I will try take some images of the proper Ford/Lucas H4 metal rings. Many of the aftermarket sellers have matching rings and buckets that will fit many of the standard 7in H4 lights out there. They may be the easiest and cheapest option than going with the original Ford buckets as I dont see any of the generic ring surrounds placing the adjusters in the right sport for the Ford buckets. Also to remember Mk2 Escort front panels only have holes for the long adjuster screws at the 7, 9 and 12 o'clock positions. Some of these generic rings would require extra holes as the put the long adjuster screws different to these three. (Im not a fan of drilling extra holes to force things to fit)

If you have an eye for that extra bit of tiny detail for your restorations or just like the mindless trivia there are little additions you can have if you use the metal buckets over the plastic ones. On the plastic buckets they have long cylinders protruding out the back that enter the exposed under arch area. These cylinders are effectively protection for the adjustment screws preventing water and the elements getting on them. In comparison the metal ones have nothing and therefore exposed to the elements.

                                                                                           

Ford however compensated for this and added three tiny cones in each of the adjustment screw holes to protect the screws in the same way. I dare say that the move to plastic buckets just streamlined the whole unit.

[caprimk1v4]

Hi,

 

Cheers for all that, I will just keep the lamps and do away with the backings for them.

 

Always something crops up when you want to get on with a job.

 

Hay Ho, on we go.

 

Cheers Lads.

[Rally Pack 2000]

Just now, caprimk1v4 said:

Hi,

 

Cheers for all that, I will just keep the lamps and do away with the backings for them.

 

Always something crops up when you want to get on with a job.

 

Hay Ho, on we go.

 

Cheers Lads.

Its always one step forward two steps back with Escorts. Sell the backs on as they are still in demand you will get good money for them rather than toss them away. Original H4s in Ford boxes are worth a pretty penny as well.