*Vacuum Headlights VS Electric Headlights*
07-07-2008, 10:18 PM
#1
Drifting
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*Vacuum Headlights VS Electric Headlights*
I have low vacuum due to my cam. I know my headlights have a leak somewhere. Should I fix the vacuum leak and run them on a vacuum pump or should I just upgrade to the 'KILLER' electric headlight setup?
07-07-2008, 10:49 PM
#3
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It's much easier and cheaper to fix the vacuum system than do the electric conversion. You might get away with adding a vacuum reserve tank if yours is damaged or missing.
07-07-2008, 11:36 PM
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Race Director
07-08-2008, 11:52 AM
#7
Safety Car
I agree 100% with Bruce, if you correct your vacuum leak then it will not only help with your headlight issues, but also gas mileage, better running engine, better performance among others. Don't mask the problem..............fix it.
07-08-2008, 12:55 PM
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GM Cert Corvette Tech
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07-08-2008, 04:06 PM
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Team Owner
I'll vote for you spending gobboodles of money on an electric conversion. Heck, the economy is in the tank! With your help on this, we can get the U.S. economy kick-started again! 
Now, for some sane advice.... Remove ALL vacuum system lines from your intake manifold except the one for measuring your 'baseline' vacuum at idle [the one hooked up to your vacuum gage]. If it reads more than 12 in. Hg, fix your leaks and you shouldn't have any problem with the vacuum operation of headlights, etc. If you have lower than 12 in. Hg 'baseline' vacuum level, you will likely need to do something different (get an electric vacuum pump instead of using manifold vacuum; convert to electric headlights; ???).
Now, for some sane advice.... Remove ALL vacuum system lines from your intake manifold except the one for measuring your 'baseline' vacuum at idle [the one hooked up to your vacuum gage]. If it reads more than 12 in. Hg, fix your leaks and you shouldn't have any problem with the vacuum operation of headlights, etc. If you have lower than 12 in. Hg 'baseline' vacuum level, you will likely need to do something different (get an electric vacuum pump instead of using manifold vacuum; convert to electric headlights; ???).
07-08-2008, 04:48 PM
#10
Race Director
Keep the vacuum. Mine idles at about 8 to 9 inches of vacuum and operates my headlights just fine. If you have a vacuum can it should be no trouble at all. Repair the vacuum system.
07-09-2008, 09:29 PM
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Drifting
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I changed engines from a 350HO to a 550HP 406 with a lumpy cam...less vacuum, yes?
The lights worked well before the engine swap. Does the fact that I ran vacuum advance on the 350HO make a difference in headlight operation because I'm not running it now.
The lights worked well before the engine swap. Does the fact that I ran vacuum advance on the 350HO make a difference in headlight operation because I'm not running it now.
