Light bowl replacement

I had to replace the bowls on my '76 S3 and ordered a set from Paddocks however i lined them up to the spaces today and the hole pattern is totally different and the screws provided wouldn't have secured the bowl into the original holes, i can't find any other provider for these parts, at the minute i have empty wings and need all parts....help !!

Have you got the original rings and lenses? I've just fitted whole new headlamps and bowls from eBay stock and it all lined up perfectly.

i have the original lenses and rings although the rings are in pretty poor condition, tried to use new rings provided which fitted but nothing else would line up

Very queer! There are two sets of holes, the lens adjusting screws should be at the 9 and 12 o'clock position in the larger holes.

For got to mention I got new screws for the plastic bowls and had to angle grind the old bolts out they were so corroded.

Are the holes not offset, ie, not equidistant apart? If you rotate them they may line up.

Think ill just use a different set of bolts and "make it fit !!" desperate not to bodge things on her but every job i try seems to be only possible with a bodge, ill be extending a choke cable using a choc block tomorrow :s 'hangs head in shame'

PennLandy said:

Think ill just use a different set of bolts and "make it fit !!" desperate not to bodge things on her but every job i try seems to be only possible with a bodge, ill be extending a choke cable using a choc block tomorrow :s 'hangs head in shame'

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If your bodging, would a bike brake cable not work?

Yeah, the holes will be offset in a weird pattern, rotation g them should make them seem more normal. If you bought a set of bowls designed for a series I'd be surprised if they were wrong.

i have a cable but i want to keep the original handle and can't get access to it to change just the wire, so decided ill just lengthen the cable i only need an extra few inches (story of my life) ill have another look tomorrow, i must confess to throwing a bit of a tantrum over it today and storming off so will try and tackle the bowls with a calmer head tomorrow

Ha ha I did at one point struggle to work out how to fit my bowls, I had nothing fitted before as well, bought it without headlights.

I've upgraded to halogen headlights and made up a new relay controlled loom for it, it throws out Lots of light, a lot more and in a better beam than my 05 plate astra!

Don't worry Penn. When I got my series three it took about a year whilst using as a daily drive to correct years of previous owner bodges. Got it sorted and running really well, lent it to a mate and had one of those offers you can't refuse from his mate.
Going to start all over again now. Looking for a series one.

I got some placcy/rubber ones and they didn't fit right and the adjusters seized after a couple of months. In the end I got some "genuine Lucas" ones from ebay. They are genuine parts but now they are made in India I think. They're made to the original pattern and fitted fine (though no rubber grommet for wires provided). Adjusters work perfectly and it all lined up first time. I can't find who I bought them off but search "lucas 7" bowl" on ebay and there's loads