Hi,

I know this is an old thread. I'm looking for a replacement grommet for a Unity HI-FM spotlight/rearview mirror. I've contacted Unity, no luck so far. Hardware store grommets don't. They are too slick, won't compress enough to make mirror stay in place while driving. See my photo album in profile for pics.

Thanks!
Matt

 

HI Matt,

Welcome to FTE. I got your note and I would venture to say that Unity will not have the grommet you are talking about.

The reason is that whoever rebuilt or replaced it last time made the one that is in there. It is a piece of fuel or vacuum hose sandwiched by two rubber o-rings.



You might try that again, or ask Number Dummy Bill if he knows anything about the spot/mirror and knows of a parts source.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome, response, and embedding my pic. Yes, the original grommet finally rotted away at 40 years of age. What you see is a Mickey Mouse attempt of hardware stores grommets since I've not been able to find the correct grommet and/or rubber.

Does anyone have an "exploded view" or part number for Unity lights? I think most all the Unity models from this era would need many of the same parts, only stems/handle length seem to vary.

Thanks!
Matt

 

Here is the one I have:

Unity Spot Light Exploded Parts Drwaing.pdf

 

That's great, thank you. Where did you find it? There are similar parts on my HI-FM model. I can't pick out the bushing/grommet yet, but will keep an eye out.

Appreciate it!

 

Welcome to FTE

Where is the pic showing the spotlight? No see 'um.

What does it look like, teardrop shaped head with a round mirror attached to it with a bracket?

If so, GM used this same setup on 1940/50's cars, had one on a 1950 Olds.

The Ford factory spotlight for a 1964/65 Falcon (Right: C4DZ153132A // Left: C4DZ15313A) had a square mirror inside the head which was squarish.

btw: If you're in the LA area, I have an original 1965 accessory brochure...if interested in seeing it, lemme know.

 

Thanks for the welcome & reply. I don't know how to embed pics in the thread but loaded some on my "Garage" and "Album."

Yes, I'm in LA. And would welcome seeing any docs that you think would help. Or if you just want to see car and offer suggestions. I've got the original brochure that came w/ my car and shows the spotlight as an original option. Very cool.

I'm just trying to stop the mirror/light from flopping around, which has badly damage the paint (down to metal). The original grommet finally rotted away. Crappy makeshift o-rings and sleeves in it's place.

Thanks again, really appreciate it!

-Matt

 

Here's the other pic Bill:



The guys at Unity sent me that pdf. Some of their parts are quite unique - try finding the stainless bolt that tightens the handle and shaft. Thye are the only people that I know of who have them.

It's been a good drawing to have!

 

That's the factory spotlight, but the spotlight's mirror has nothing to do with the problem.

The spotlight's head is flopping back & forth, chipping the paint off the sheetmetal.

The head was only available from Ford as the spotlight assembly. But, the same head was used on everything from 1957 thru 1967.

The difference between a spotlight used on (for example) a 1958 Edsel, and a 1964/65 Falcon is the length of the shaft and the mounting brackets.

The grommet that fits between the head and the shaft is nothing more than a weatherseal.

What the real problem is...the diameter of the shaft where it attaches to the head, or the female end of the head where the shaft fits in, is worn allowing play.

At one time in downtown LA, there was a business called The Lighthouse.

They sold/installed spotlights for dealers and carried all the parts. They are no longer in downtown LA, they have moved to somewhere in East LA County.

I've driven by the place, but I cannot recall where it is.

They do have a website, I searched for it...but after wading thru pages of websites about lighthouses, I gave up. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Somewhere in my obsolete parts managerie, I have some NOS spotlight heads. I'll look around, see if I can find them.

Why do I have these parts when Ford didn't sell them? About 30 years ago, I found 5 cases (10 to a case) of NOS '58 Edsel spotlight kits.

These were stored in a dealers attic and the roof leaked, so some were pitted in the box. I took them apart, replaced the pitted parts, and have some stuff left over.

 

There is one in San Diego as well.

Hmmmmmm, if the dreaded flip flop is his problem, then maybe he needs to tighten up the bolt that is on the end of the handle toward the outside of the car. One of my two Unity's comes loose regularly. If you overtighten it, you can't flip the light up. And by the way, that's the little bolt I spoke of in the post above it's a 3/4 inch long #12/32 Even Marshals didn't have it. I had to get it from Unity - they were cheap so I got a dozen.

Here's the link to "The Lighthouse:"

TheLightHouseInc.com

 

Wow,

Thank you Julie and Bill for the excellent help! The PDF is very helpful after I figured out to magnify it, as was all your insight.

Tightening the 6040-A helped immensely. I hit it with some liquid wrench before trying to adjust. It took quite a bit of tension to hold the light. I'm sure it was loose and the rubber grommet exacerbated the problem when it fell off. Then nothing was holding tension. It's been my experience that the grommet does offer a bit of resistance. But yes, the key is this screw. I wish I'd figured that out 8 years ago!

I'm ordering some parts from Unity (6040-A, 6141 Screws). Is there anything else you'd recommend that tends to wear out?

Again, really appreciate it. I've been trying to solve this for years and asked various shops, but so few people have experience with this relatively rare piece.

Gotta love forms such as this.

Best regards,
Matt

 

Bill,

The next step for me is cosmetic, trying to re-chrome this pitted piece. I'd really be interested in NOS heads if you have, or any other parts for that matter. They might be in better shape than mine!

Thanks so much,
Matt