Hello, new member and new owner of a slightly Frankensteined 1969 convertible. I have owned her for just a few weeks and been making some very basic repairs as I get to know her and will be getting some more professional help as the continual restorations/upgrades continue. I have very little mechanical knowledge so this is also something I am using as a learning process so will have many stupid questions as this goes. Figure a forum with a username is best way to embarrass myself with that.
My first question is on these dang front side marker lights, the buttons, not the actual front turn signals nor the rear ones with the logo. Both weren't working so I was going to replace. Am having a heck of a time getting them off though. I finally saw something online saying they screw/pop in so have tried the obvious counterclockwise turn. Can safely say that is not accurate at least for my setup. The cover popped off immediately but there was no turning these, even getting in there with longer pliers. They won't pop out either. After slipping and leaving a nice 4 inch gash in my paint and cussing out the neighborhood I figured it was time to join a forum and actually ask... Pics following (once I figure that out). How do you get these dang things off? I found the replacements online https://www.classicindustries.com/p...TCbk6RkDQmzF_6iXFgD-twTUmAhoCIuMQAvD_BwE
Just asked my friend with a 69, you reach around from the back and there is a big c-clip type retainer you pry/push off, then just pops out. Also just wanted to let you know Ames performance engineering has those for less money and they aren't even on sale. They are a very trustworthy Pontiac only vender I have been using for many years. Good luck.
Last edited by barnbird; 12/27/2008:25 PM. Reason: correct info
Thanks for looking into it I had checked the back originally but couldn't find an obvious access But now knowing it is there I just crammed my hand in there and can see a way to get to it. Will have to wait until I can get it jacked up and take the wheel off to have enough room to actually get to it. Those dang things are seriously jammed into there. Also thanks for the other option on replacements- will go ahead and order now to have ready. Here's a pic of her from today, need to get some money shots but still lots of little things to do.
You should be able to reach in from inside or underneath. May need to remove the battery? Can't remember sorry. They only come on as marker lights when the headlights are on. They are not turn signals. Bulbs are often bad or simply corroded. Try cleaning up a bit before replacing. The bulbs are available at any auto parts store. Same basic story for all the bulbs. Great people here. Don't worry about stupid questions. Nobody will judge. And welcome.
Corrosion is actually a possibility, will see if that works also. Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately my engine area is even more cramped than the average. One of the former owners actually put a rebuilt 455 from a 1970 GTO in there so to say it's tight is an understatement.
You get to them from underneath the car, first you twist the light socket out of the marker light from the back side, either a quater or a half turn, then pull the socket from the housing, there will be a clip on the back side of the housing that you will need to slide to the side, you might not be able to see it very well if there is a lot of crud built up, it will have a little lip on it you can either use screw driver or a pair of pliers on the lip to slide it to the side. Then the housing will pop out to the outside of the fender. You will need new ones, as the part you poped off was part of the housing, you will also have to paint the outter part of the housing body color, unless you don't mind the different color. Here is a couple of links to a place that has the parts so you can see what the clip and the housing looks like
As said the 455 doesn't take up any more room under the hood than the 350. All the Pontiac engines have the same external dimensions. The number of externals may cramp things slightly,,, headers, ps, ac.
What... NO-body noticed the Princess Bride reference in his username??? C'mon people??! A classic! Good thing none of us have 6 fingers on our right hand...
'68 400HO Coupe, 4 spd, 259 interior, Windward Blue. My other car's a Johnson 15 outboard on a '61 Starcraft rowboat... Just sayin'.
What... NO-body noticed the Princess Bride reference in his username??? C'mon people??! A classic! Good thing none of us have 6 fingers on our right hand...
Not me but then I had to do a Duck Duck Go search for "Princess Bride" to know what that is.