Correct LWB Headlight Bucket Available?

[frankc]

Hello,

I am having some repair work done on my '73 fenders, and one of the items is replacement of the headlight buckets, as mine are rusted out at the bottom. This is a RoW '73T, and PET lists the same part for both L & R buckets as 901.631.015.23. Note that for the US market, the left bucket was changed to 911.503.015.15 in 1970 - I suspect this added the mounting tab on the back for the charcoal canister?

I have not been able to find a replacement bucket that matches the harness & drain holes in my '73 bucket. Below is a photo the bucket from one of my fenders (the better one):




I believe there were originally 4 holes in the bucket as shown in the photo below I found in a classified ad:




I see that the original part number has been superseded to PCG.631.015.21, which, from the photo below (from Pelican), looks very different than mine and would require some modification to work:




However, Restoration Design sells a bucket that they state is for '65-73, but it looks like a G-Series bucket to me:




Does anyone know of a source for new buckets with the correct hole configuration for a '73? If my only option is the RD bucket, will the existing '73 wiring harness work with the placement and size of the holes on their part?

Thanks,
Frank

[Cliff]

Perhaps: https://www.aasesales.com/

[Cliff]

Different number. I believe to be for a G or later. Seems to be sided due to the hump! ( for comparison )

[frankc]

Hi Cliff,

I don't know what year that bucket is for - it doesn't look like the one in my '77.

I searched on AASE, and they list the superseded part (901.631.015.23) as the bucket for '65-89. Oddly, the pictures on AASE for 901.631.015.23 look much different than the same part on Pelican. Plus, some pictures show holes similar to the Restoration Design bucket, and some appear to show no holes.

To add some more confusion, there is currently a 901.631.015.23 bucket (the correct number for '73) for sale on eBay, but it only has two holes:




I guess I'll start calling around to the various vendors tomorrow to see if I can get some answers.

[frankc]

The fenders were not attached to my '73 when I purchased it, so I don't have a reference of how the harness is routed in the bucket. Based on my searching, my assumption is that I will need a four hole bucket: 1: Wiring harness in; 2: Corner Lights and Horns wiring out; 3: Bolt to Battery Box bracket; 4: Drain Plug. Is this correct?

Does somebody have a photo that they can post that shows the inside of the bucket from a '73?

[mac73s]

There is only one 'harness' that goes into the headlamp bucket - for the headlamp itself (3 wires). The corner lights/horn wiring that you mention simply connect to those items on their own, i.e. they don't go into and then exit out of any holes in the bucket. You are correct on the drain plug and battery box to fender bracket holes. I purchased a new bucket for my 72 from PORSCHE...fits perfectly, but the 'holes' were a bit different in fact, I had to drill another hole to accommodate either the drain plug or battery to fender bracket but not at all difficult. No one in my opinion is ever going to know the difference if you have to make those adjustments.