[TR] TR3A Head Lamp Finishing Ring

[suhringtr36 at comcast.net]

A while ago a comment was posted about having difficulty getting the finishing ring to fit properly on the headlamp of a TR3A. I had responded that I too had this problem and thought it was due to the aftermarket buckets being two wide in diameter, thus not allowing the ring to sit properly. We'll, I was wrong.  I took everythig apart and started to do some measurements. I found out what the real problem is, confirmed by Dave from TRF. It is with the inner and outer retaining rings. The ones they make today are being used as interchangable with many cars, but are no good for most, including the TR3A. TRF has had this issue for some time with the distributors. The correct inner retainer ring has a depth of 2 9/16" and the correct outer retaining ring has aa depth of 27/32". The replacements ones have a much smallet depth, which causes the headlamp lens to sit in too far, so when you put on the finishing ring, there is a good 1/2" gap between the lens and the ring. It rally looks bad.

Scott Suhring
Mechanicsburg, PA
'70 TR6
'59 TR3A