Headlight Adjustment

It has to be adjusted.

If you bought Genuine Ford headlights, the adjustment will be easy. If you bought reproduction headlights, they will be very difficult to align properly. I bought reproduction units, and my headlights cannot be aligned: they shine up in the trees and across the road. I even have all 3 screws set up as adjustment screws.

The adjustment screws are upper inside and lower outside screws. If the headlights were re-assembled properly, they will have a 5/32" hex on the screw. You can use a 1/4" ratchet with a 5/32" socket. The upper screws can be reached with the hood up, while the lower screws may require you to lay on the ground in front of the car and reach them from the bottom.

To align the headlights, find a level spot with a wall 25-30 feet away. Disconnect the driver light and align up the passenger light so that the light pattern is slightly below of the actual centerline of the headlight. This is to illuminate the right hand side of the road. Reconnect the driver light and disconnect the passenger light. The driver light should be aimed so that the light pattern on the wall is inward about 6" and slightly below the centerline of the headlight. This keeps you from blinding the oncoming cars. Disconnecting and reconnecting the headlights helps to show which headlight is shining in what direction. Reproduction headlights may shine in several directions at the same time, making it very difficult to align them if both lights are on at the same time

One Stangnetter suggested using a fender cover over the lights instead of disconnecting the power. That is a better idea if you have the fender cover handy.

I bought new headlight lenses after having the cheapo reproduction models. I spent $5 more per headlight and got the ones with Ford cast into the lens. They seem to align much better than the old reproduction ones did. I just set all 3 screws the same height, and they look like they are aligned pretty good without any more adjusting.