MG Car Repair: headlights, inner rim, chrome rim

Question
I want to replace my headlight on my 1974 mgb. How do I get the headlight ring off and what do I do after I get the ring off. After I replace the lamps will I have to get the lights aligned?

Answer
Hi Neil.  Strictly speaking, the headlamps need professional alignment after replacing.  However, do the job indoors, turn the old dipped beams on, and mark the wall where they shine.  After replacing the headlamps, you can then align the new dip beams where you marked the wall.

The chrome headlamp rim on an MGB is held by two small ears at the top (part of the black headlamp bowl) and a spring clip at the bottom.  It can be very difficult to remove.  If you are going to replace the lamps anyway, then take a medium sized flat blade screwdriver and gently prize the bottom of the rim using the glass of the headlamp to lever against.  You can protect the headlamp glass with a small piece of cardboard if you are worried that it might break.  

Once you have got the rims off you will see 3 small Philips screws holding an inner chrome rim.  Undo these and the headlamp will come out of its shell complete with the inner rim.  There are lugs on the back which only fit one way round.  Do not disturb the two adjusting screws, just unplug the whole glass unit and fit the new one.