You will find yourself wondering if they will ever move. I know this for a fact 
lights work too well!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
lights work too well!
I finished the repair of the vacuum system on the headlights on my 70 corvette.The vacuum works great. Now when they open they fly up until I hear a huge metal to metal sounding crash. When they close they slam shut with the same amazing speed. The crash on the way down is as violent but without the metal to metal sound.The lights stop in the correct location in both directions but I feel like I'm going to have broken parts if I don't adjust.Is there a way to control the speed of the lights rise and fall? Is that even necessary? What adjustments, if any, can I make to correct my situation. Thanks in advance..It was you guys that helped me through the vacuum repair.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 10
From: Richmond Va
Mine are not working right now, but I know there is an adjustable stop that can set how high the light is at the open position. Can you get some type of rubber stopper to put over the adjusting screw so that is not metal on metal? Just a thought.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 7,
There's a rubber bumper pad available from various vendors that will stop the 'bang' as the door opens. It fits on the adjuster screw on the end of the long arm that bolts to the outer side of the door itself.
The screw is item 5 on UPC 12, Sheet A3, in the 71 AIM.
Regards,
Alan
There's a rubber bumper pad available from various vendors that will stop the 'bang' as the door opens. It fits on the adjuster screw on the end of the long arm that bolts to the outer side of the door itself.
The screw is item 5 on UPC 12, Sheet A3, in the 71 AIM.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I finished the repair of the vacuum system on the headlights on my 70 corvette.The vacuum works great. Now when they open they fly up until I hear a huge metal to metal sounding crash. When they close they slam shut with the same amazing speed. The crash on the way down is as violent but without the metal to metal sound.The lights stop in the correct location in both directions but I feel like I'm going to have broken parts if I don't adjust.Is there a way to control the speed of the lights rise and fall? Is that even necessary?
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you want to slow the opening speed of the headlamps, you will have to put a flow-limiting orifice in the vacuum feed line going to the relay(s). That will delay the time it will take for engine vacuum to 'suck' out the air from the servo can. Remove the [center] yellow-striped vacuum supply line to the relay(s), make an orifice that you can 'stuff' into the end of that hose (plastic or metal rod of diameter somewhat larger than the passage size in the hose and cut to 1/4" length), drill about a 3/32" hole in that 'plug' to create an orifice. Then put it back together and give it a try. If it is too slow, drill to 1/8" and try again.
If you have two relays on your headlamps, you need to experiment with the orifices on both lights at the same time.
My lights open quickly, too. I've thought about employing the orifice idea, but it isn't on my 'priority' list.
If you have two relays on your headlamps, you need to experiment with the orifices on both lights at the same time.
My lights open quickly, too. I've thought about employing the orifice idea, but it isn't on my 'priority' list.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
no speed adjustment, I went with 1 headlight pilot valve, inplace of the 2 on the 69.
atleast they will open and close at the same time now.
could not see the sense in L&R pilot valves.
atleast they will open and close at the same time now.
could not see the sense in L&R pilot valves.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Sonora CA
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Perhaps that's you in the parking lot revving your engine, trying to build some intake vacuum when your foot is off the gas...
Officer: "What 'cha doing over here making all that noise?"
Mr. Basketcase: "Trying to get my headlights up..."
Fun story.
Officer: "What 'cha doing over here making all that noise?"
Mr. Basketcase: "Trying to get my headlights up..."
Fun story.