Converting to power windows ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Converting to power windows ?
I am just not right. I have not even finished up this winters mods and already thinking about what to do next. I have always wanted power windows in the car. Is it better to gather all the parts or just buy all new stuff and be done with it. I know I have to replace the door panels also. Do I hunt for junk at Carlisle or just buy new. What have you guys done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
Likes: 1
From: Shelby NC
p/windows
There are many junk doors or should be to get some parts from. It's a crap shoot as to getting good used stuff and getting bad. Hardware in the doors can be questionable for sure--regulators that are sloppy are a nightmare. Check you money supply and then decide--tight get as much used as possible--not too tight buy new. My 2 cents?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
ONE of the first mods some 15 years ago, the tracks don't change, just the regulator and add the motor, but one thing you have to do is take it ALL outta there, and soak the tracks in a pan of gasoline overnight to get that damn dried up grease outta there....I did not need any nylon, put it together DRY, NO GREASE except in the motor gear and of course the regulator, that sector gear needs be well greased to not rust any, I seen them totaled with rust....
the motor/gear assy is a common generic GM found in any car of the era...junkyard 5 bux each....get the connector to them also, that varies a bit.....
AS I RECALL, I got my regulators from Yogi Bear's....
the motor/gear assy is a common generic GM found in any car of the era...junkyard 5 bux each....get the connector to them also, that varies a bit.....
AS I RECALL, I got my regulators from Yogi Bear's....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If money is an issue [when is it not?], you might want to do some "fact gathering" before you just jump into it. Find out what areas of the p/w components are the "wear areas". Also determine which of those cannot be repaired easily or are too costly to fix. Then, you can start checking out salvage yards and/or swap meets for p/w components...making certain that those parts don't have any of those 'high risk' problems on them. Also, take an ohmeter with you. Find out what resistance the p/w motors have and check them before you buy. If the windings are good [per ohmeter], you can fix just about any drive motor with new brushes & bushings. But, if you want to do this quickly, just shell out the money for new stuff and then you don't [or, at least, shouldn't] have to worry about condition of the stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
PW is the only luxury item I've ever cared about in a car.
The factory PW system is very reliable. Motors could pass as starters for mini motor cars. All I have replaced is the main reg. gear & motor mount on dr. side. Common, a stronger reg. gear & mount are avail. from the major vendors. No el. issues.
One time there was a topic on PW & several had fixed their el. problems by cleaning switches, connections & one guy cleaned inside motor.
While I like the location of the PW switches, it might be possible to mount in crank position.
The factory PW system is very reliable. Motors could pass as starters for mini motor cars. All I have replaced is the main reg. gear & motor mount on dr. side. Common, a stronger reg. gear & mount are avail. from the major vendors. No el. issues.
One time there was a topic on PW & several had fixed their el. problems by cleaning switches, connections & one guy cleaned inside motor.
While I like the location of the PW switches, it might be possible to mount in crank position.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
This is not something that will be done right away. Maybe next winters project so I have time to gather parts. The problem with some parts is yo uend up buying them and by the time you rebuild them it costs about the same. I'll look into this. I did have all my door stuff out 2 years ago and cleaned out all the old grease and crap so the channels are good to go.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Do some research on some of the sites that offer parts for restoring old cars. I have seen power window kits that hook the switch up to your existing crank. Then you just raise or lower the crank to move the window. Would save the price of panels which might cover a good part of the cost of the power windows. I will do some looking also and will let you know what I find.
Here is one that I remembered that I have bought street rod stuff from in the past.
http://www.rockyhinge.com/
Here is one that I remembered that I have bought street rod stuff from in the past.
http://www.rockyhinge.com/
Last edited by Red 71; Apr 3, 2009 at 06:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Cheap power window conversion.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFXU43-Jgeo
I think Eckler's has the complete "factory" conversion- but it's priced at over $600
I was looking at the Electric-Life pieces-They have them for just about every car except Vettes. For a Gen 1 Camaro- a set is like around $300.
http://electric-life.com/index.asp
Then there is SPAL pieces-basically a drive system that uses the stock mech system. A pair is around $125.
Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFXU43-Jgeo
I think Eckler's has the complete "factory" conversion- but it's priced at over $600
I was looking at the Electric-Life pieces-They have them for just about every car except Vettes. For a Gen 1 Camaro- a set is like around $300.
http://electric-life.com/index.asp
Then there is SPAL pieces-basically a drive system that uses the stock mech system. A pair is around $125.
Richard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
You can save your current door panels by installing some of these from a 78 camaro.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-79...01159008r20947
Thats what I did when I bought used door panels that had holes for crank windows. I found some vette emblems designed for center caps that covered any evidence that they were once on a camaro.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-79...01159008r20947
Thats what I did when I bought used door panels that had holes for crank windows. I found some vette emblems designed for center caps that covered any evidence that they were once on a camaro.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
[QUOTE=71406;1569574520]You can save your current door panels by installing some of these from a 78 camaro.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-79...01159008r20947
Thats what I did when I bought used door panels that had holes for crank windows. I found some vette emblems designed for center caps that covered any evidence that they were once on a camaro.
That is what I was thinking. My door panels are excellent and would hate to replace them. I was thinking along those lines of something to cover the holes. Great idea.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/78-79...01159008r20947
Thats what I did when I bought used door panels that had holes for crank windows. I found some vette emblems designed for center caps that covered any evidence that they were once on a camaro.
That is what I was thinking. My door panels are excellent and would hate to replace them. I was thinking along those lines of something to cover the holes. Great idea.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
