If you are lucky enough to own a 1957 Oldsmobile, then you own a piece of American history. To keep this classic car running you'll need to perform regular maintenance and preventative care. While much of this requires a certain level of mechanical expertise, one job is easy enough for any do-it-yourselfer to accomplish. If you need to align the headlights, all you'll need is an afternoon and some simple tools.
Tools Used: Tape, Screwdriver
Adjust the Screws on Headlight
Park the 1957 Oldsmobile on a flat, level surface, 1 foot in front of a large wall with about 25 feet of room to back up. Make sure the car is loaded with a weight that approximates normal driving conditions, including having a partner sitting in the driver's seat.
Measure from the ground up to the center point of the driver's side headlight and transfer that measurement to the wall. Put two 6-inch pieces of tape in the shape of a cross on the spot, with the center of the cross at the exact center point of the headlight. Repeat this process on the passenger's side as well.
Back the Oldsmobile up 25 feet and turn on the headlights. Inspect where the light beams hits the wall. The passenger side light beam should hit 2 inches below the horizontal of the tape cross and directly on the vertical. The driver's side beam should land 2 inches below the horizontal and 12 inches to the right of the vertical, placing it in the center of the lower-left quadrant.
Open the hood on the 1957 Oldsmobile and go to the rear of the driver's side headlight assembly. On the top and inside side of the assembly you'll find the two adjustment screws that control the horizontal and vertical direction of the beams. Use a screwdriver to adjust the screws until the light hits the desired spot on the tape cross. Repeat for the passenger's side light.
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