Cheaper Electric Headlight Kit
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Well I hope you and your car are reunited soon!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
other vaccuum headlight systems existed
Actually, I had a '69 Mercury Cougar that had vacuum operated headlight covers. and what about Camaro's of that era? weren't the RS/SS headlight covers vacuum operated? I think there were many other cars using a similar system if memory serves...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Gungatim, I was referring to corvettes. I mentioned C3 as opposed to C2,C4,C5. No hideaways for C1 or C6. And as for 69 camaros there are kits available to replace the vacuum systems found on the RS models for 1/2 the cost of the electric kit that Ecklers sells for our C3's
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I find it very telling that every non-C3 car I've seen since at least the early 80s, if not earlier, with pop-up lights uses electric motors.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 8
From: Scarborough Qld
I am in the long drawn out process of changing the headlight system at the moment.
I have removed the entire vacum system for the lights & wiper door.
I will be repacing the headlight actuators with "pop up headlight motors" from a Mazda RX7.
I have already used these motors successfully in the wiper door assembly.
As I am moving house soon, it will be a while before I can start this project.
Good luck with your search. If you find an easier / cheaper way, keep us posted.
Andrew
Here is photo of the wiper door conversion.
I have removed the entire vacum system for the lights & wiper door.
I will be repacing the headlight actuators with "pop up headlight motors" from a Mazda RX7.
I have already used these motors successfully in the wiper door assembly.
As I am moving house soon, it will be a while before I can start this project.
Good luck with your search. If you find an easier / cheaper way, keep us posted.
Andrew
Here is photo of the wiper door conversion.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I found an old thread at digital corvettes that addresses this issue. Unfortunately, the brackets he made are no longer manufactured. But I think with a little head scratching one should be able to come up with a solution. It uses actuators from a 93-97 firebird, I priced these as remans for $105 a piece at partsgeek.com, a switch from a 89 corvette, $36. Im going to look into this a bit more, but I think under $400 to put this setup together is a realistic number.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I found an old thread at digital corvettes that addresses this issue. Unfortunately, the brackets he made are no longer manufactured. But I think with a little head scratching one should be able to come up with a solution. It uses actuators from a 93-97 firebird, I priced these as remans for $105 a piece at partsgeek.com, a switch from a 89 corvette, $36. Im going to look into this a bit more, but I think under $400 to put this setup together is a realistic number.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
'67 Camaros used electric actuators, and in '68 and '69 they went to the vacuum system also. Must be a reason why GM went this way.
I think the kits for Camaros are less expensive because the probably sell way more. Covettes aren't supposed to be modified, remember?
I think the kits for Camaros are less expensive because the probably sell way more. Covettes aren't supposed to be modified, remember?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Yeah, someone needs to pick up where he left off and start making those brackets again
Hmm im going to search around to see if I can find a kit SOMEWHERE!
Hmm im going to search around to see if I can find a kit SOMEWHERE!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I figured as much, but being as though the kit is no longer sold, one will have to acquire the parts separately. Those brackets would be a cinch to make, a little .071 aluminum sheet, a sheet metal brake, a hole saw and done. Thankfully, I know exactly where to get it done. Work.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
I have a McSpeed kit that I bought a long time ago and haven't installed yet....project not done. etc., etc. I'm out of town now, but when I get back I can lay it out and take pix, measurements and post it if anyone's interested.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
GM was enamored with vacuum for years. They even ran their wipers on vacuum. Only wipers ever that the faster you went the slower the wipers went! Classic case of "just because you can do something doesn't mean you should."
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
Originally Posted by Dose11
I hate when they raise when you step on the gas!!!
Here's a shameless plug for the thread I started that is now a sticky in C3 Tech/Performance: