Thank you all for your helpfull advice concerning my dimming headlight. As Kane pointed out, it was a simple case of getting the wires that connect into the bulb cowling tightened up. There was one wrinkle, though.

The three lead wires (blue, black and red) each have a little metal "clip" that fits into matching rectangular holes in the back of the bulb cowling. When I push them all the way into these slots, the connection is fine but because the clips have been a bit "manhandled" over the years, they don't want to stay snuggly in, making the headlight dim or dark altogether.

I've poked around and no one seems to know what these are (I promise! They exist!) and I'm wondering if I need to go junkyarding for those particular clips from a dead 240 so I can take the old ones off and clamp the new ones on. I admit it seems silly to be thwarted by such tiny, tiny little pieces of connecting clip!

My other question of the day concerns cleaning inside the hood. About two weeks ago a seal blew (my first day of ownership!) and oil went all over the place inside. The roof of the hood, the well at the front (where the hood clamp is) and the tanks (coolant, windshield fluid etc....) are all covered. The mechanic who did the work on the seal said that I shouldn't rag clean claiming I should "let the dead rest". He felt that any cleaning in there would create more problems. It sounded wrong to me and the inside is so dirty now it breaks my heart to not at least rag all the non electrical and engine parts. Should I just go ahead and do it?

Thanks again for everyone's help----what a great place this is! I'm still waiting for my Bentley...any day now.

Daddyo(to be)240