Tail light fit problem

[55Belair]

I have the quarters all cleaned down to metal on the 55, no supprises except both tail light frames don't fit very well. The right had a quarter replaced many years back, the left I think is original. The right light opening when you place the frame in the place it goes, the outside right upper part, including the very top sticks up about 3/16' above the quarter metal, the left one not as bad, maybe 1/8 " on the right side. My question is how to attack this, I would like the fit to be as close to perfect as can be done. I was thinking of redoing the flat lower area, lowering it may solve the problem, but I want some opinions before I start cutting away.thanks Ron

[MikeKy55]

Ron, that is a common problem. Most of the time it's the reproduction tail light bezels that are off. Mine are off a little bit. I put an old pitted one I had on mine to see and it fit almost perfectly. Danchuk has a blem sale once a year and they always have a bunch of the bezels. Guys get them and when they fit too bad, they send them back. Danchuk puts them in a rack and sells them as blems. At least thats what a Danchuk dealer told me.
Beware though, sometimes the open isn't quite right and the tail light housing doesn't fit correctly. Remember the bezel mounts to the housing. If it's off, the bezel is off. Look to see if you can move the housing a little. It may require moving the mounting surface on the end of the quarter a little. A little tap-tap on the opening can do wonders.

[dseale4888]

I'm at school too Mike. Thanks for the tip.
Dave

[55Belair]

Thanks Mike, but these are old factory 1955 tail lights, pitted and all, they just don't fit right, but maybe all 55 Chevy cars then were that way, anyway one way or another I will make them work. what about cutting the old trim frame, then welding it, gringing it down, then re chrome plating it?, problem solved, so long as it covers the housing correctly, I wonder if it's ever been done before, Ron

[55Belair]

OK, the tap tap did the fix, or most of it, I am on the right track, thanks Mike

[MikeKy55]

Got to love it when a plan comes together.