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MG MGA - Head lights


I could sure use a little help to set my head lights. I need to know the measurements to set the lights correct.Distance from a wall and how high up plus distance in between.Any other info would help.
Thanks Bill
Bill wilkins

Bill,

What about the section in the Workshop Manual?
(attached).



Mick


Mick Anderson

The workshop image shows that the lights are set perfectly straight ahead. I have always ben taught that this is wrong. In the US, the RH lamp should be set to shoot pretty straight and flat with a slight tendency downward. The LH lamp should be the same height but with a slight tendency toward the right. This prevents blinding the oncoming driver. This seems to be supported with a google search. Try out this for a reference:

http://www.ukmot.com/1-6.asp#Text_top

it shows the UK's MOT requirements for headlight aiming for 3 different style headlight beam styles. Just be sure to swap left and right for the US.

OOPS! I just checked the MGA Manual and they mention that the alignment shown in Mick's attachemtn should be done on Main beams, which I believe is what we call High Beams. This would put a downward tilt to the low or "dipped" beams, maybe too much for my liking.

I actually do not use the "pattern-on-a-wall" test normally shown. I just go out on a dark night and find a flat quiet road. I adjust both low beam (dipped) lights straight and as far out the road as is "reasonable". At some point, the lights shine out too far to be of any use. Illumination is reduced by the square of the distance. With a generator system like the MG, it may be of use to have the car idleing at a higher RPM than usual to get full brightness from the headlights.I then take the drivers (LH) lamp and adjust it ever so slightly downward and to the right. This method has worked for me for over 40 years.

Chuck
C Schaefer

This thread was discussed on 18/06/2008

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