[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Jim, I’m glad the pictures and descriptions helped.

I should also note that the other side of the bulb socket has a tang that sticks out to help create a snug fit into the reflector.

I’ll snap a picture of that side as well and post that so you can find the exact socket you need. Everything is still apart so it’s no problem at all.

Dave, dropping a headlamp lens is always in the back of my mind, too, when I take one off.

I put a moving blanket down that I fold over a few times in hopes that if I dropped the lens assembly it would miraculously land on the moving blanket and not shatter.

The other thing that worries me is cracking one of the pot metal retaining rings but at least those can be recreated without too much trouble.

That is also why I figured it would be a good time to leave them apart so I could figure out a ground wire for the assembly.

Who knows, I may even take the reflectors completely apart and have them re-silvered.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

I hope this helps you to find reflectors, sockets and lenses that will fit your car.

I have not put everything back together as I am hoping to figure out a way to add a ground wire that will be completely hidden from view, so if you need any other pictures or measurements please don’t hesitate to ask.

By the way, both the reflectors on my car have jam nuts behind each screw that secures the reflector to the pot metal retainer ring.

Some are spun down the shaft of the screws just a hair and appear to me to be the actual adjusters for aiming the reflectors.

The car is so unmolested that I believe these to be factory.

Note the head of the adjustment rod at the top of the picture.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Bulb assembly is 5.0″ deep and has three square holes that mate with the teeth on the focusing assembly.

The socket is a two wire assembly with set screws to retain the wires.

Mine are a little chewed up but they’re original and operate well.

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[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Focusing assembly taken apart to show teeth that move the socket assembly in and out.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Close up of the bulb focus mechanism.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Picture to show depth and the bulb focus assembly.

My reflectors can focus the bulb using a screw that moves the bulb socket in or out of the reflector.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

The reflectors measure 9.50″ from lip to lip and are about 5″” to the tip of where the bulb socket goes into.

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[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

I went out and took apart a headlight on my very late ’29 Model 143.

The headlight lenses are Twolite and are 9.25″ across.

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[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Congratulations on the purchase of a beautiful Pierce and welcome to the wonderful world of Pierce Arrow ownership.

As you have found, the PAS is full of great members with a wealth of knowledge.

I doubt you’ll find a finer group of people than the members of this organization.

Enjoy your new Pierce.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Looks like a nice car.

Good luck to your friend with his quest to acquire the car.

Are those sealed beam headlight?

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Here is the Amazon link for the book.

It ships free with Prime.

Those that have the book or have read it should post a review to help promote the book on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Automobiles-Brass-Era-Specifications/dp/0786471360/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420952817&sr=8-1&keywords=american+automobiles+of+the+brass+era

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Welcome to the wonder world of Pierce Arrow ownership.

This group of folks is the best bunch you’ll ever find and there is an endless amount of knowledge given freely here.

I really like the way Pierce designed the rear of your car.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Whit the main body of the radio up under the dash you probably won’t hear much but it is definitely a neat accessory from the era.

When it is done I bet it will be gorgeous.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Rick, I’ve seen cars with trippe lights and chrome radiator stone guards that just look a little over done for my taste.

Not that they didn’t look great but they just looked a little bit too much in my opinion.

I do like trippe lights as lone as the radiator has painted shutters behind the.

I am anxious to see your car when it is complete and I hope you’re completely pleased with the results.

Ed, the trippe light on your car looks a little small and kind of lost given the overall size of a ’32 front end.

As for the spare tire mounted mirrors, the ones on my car have proven useful when I am backing into parking spaces or doing other parking lot maneuvers.

I do admit that they are pretty useless otherwise but I like their look and I’m sure my car left the factory with them so they will stay.

I really like the blue on your ’36 wouldn’t have been my choice but it works great on the car.

I would have never had the guts to choose such a color but the color works wonderfully on the car.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Tim, it sounds like you’re definitely on the right track with the resistance problems once the system is hot.

As was discussed in an earlier thread, make sure all of your battery cables are up to snuff and that your ground connections are fresh and tight.

I tracked down a warm start problem on my ’26 Rickenbacker to an internally corroded cable from the starter contact to the starter.

The cable looked fine on the outside but had developed corrosion under the insulation.

Running extra ground cables also seemed to help as well.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

I actually prefer that if the original colors are known then I would restore the car using the factory color scheme.

I know changing the colors can make the car more appealing but I always rather liked the factory color combinations.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

Coming along nicely.

Were the ends of the air cleaner chrome or were some painted?

I think all the ones I’ve seen were always chrome.

I know our resident experts here will know.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

I agree about keeping a Pierce as original as possible since the cars are pieces of history that should be preserved.

For more modern cars like my ’64 doing some mods are fine with me as long as everything can be returned to stock with minimal effort.

I plan on keeping my Pierce as original as possible for as long as possible since it is a true survivor with original paint, drive train and interior (except for the driver’s seat). We had distributor problems during the Temecula meet which prevented us from completing any of the tours so we missed out on the judging.

The car ran fabulous in Oregon at the 2006 meet and around town so maybe we had a false sense of security and didn’t have spare points and condensers on hand. We thought it was a bad rotor but one picked up during the swap meet didn’t completely fix our issues.

That said, personally, I will not be modifying my Pierce at all.

I plan to pass it down to the next generation as I am our family’s 3rd generation owner.

[Author nameAuthor names are only available to PAS members.]

I’ve had a Pertronix setup in my ’64 Chevelle for at least 24 years and it has run great with the under-cap system.

The system has never had a single issue and back when it was installed the car was my daily driver so it has at least 100K miles on it now. I carry a set of points and a condenser in the trunk but I’ve never needed them.

I guess it all comes down to preference.

I would have never thought of going that way in the Pierce but at least it’s an option for those that want to go in that direction.

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Sounds like a great way to reward the hard work that has been done and a good way to motivate further work on the car.

A vid posted to youtube would be great.

[Author]

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