Vacuum headlight question??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Vacuum headlight question??
Ok I just replaced the right headlight actuator since the other one no longer held vacuum but the question is when they pop up should you be able to hear the "snap" or "clank" sound when fully opened? I know that's the lock position and I can adjust it where you don't hear it but was curious how it was from the factory. Then for 82 owners does your headlight actuator nipples face inboard or outboard? I was told it could be either or. Mine face inboard but the clearance is within a hair thickness with the hose on. Not sure if I'd gain anything if they faced outward...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,167
Likes: 4,244
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
At least in the early years the nipples both faced out-board. (Don't 'think' they ever changed.)
There's a 'stop' on the end of the arm that limits how far open the headlights can move. This stop should have a black rubber bumper on to change the 'clang' to a 'thud'.
Regards,
Alan
At least in the early years the nipples both faced out-board. (Don't 'think' they ever changed.)
There's a 'stop' on the end of the arm that limits how far open the headlights can move. This stop should have a black rubber bumper on to change the 'clang' to a 'thud'.
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 420
Likes: 5
From: Springfield Missouri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Alan, great info and many others appreciate your pics, especially me...being a owner of a 71 basket case. I have been trying to figure out where the horn mounts!!
Have to ask a related question...how long should the reservoir can hold vacuum?
Have to ask a related question...how long should the reservoir can hold vacuum?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 103
From: Brisbane Queensland
Hi,
At least in the early years the nipples both faced out-board. (Don't 'think' they ever changed.)
There's a 'stop' on the end of the arm that limits how far open the headlights can move. This stop should have a black rubber bumper on to change the 'clang' to a 'thud'.
Regards,
Alan
At least in the early years the nipples both faced out-board. (Don't 'think' they ever changed.)
There's a 'stop' on the end of the arm that limits how far open the headlights can move. This stop should have a black rubber bumper on to change the 'clang' to a 'thud'.
Regards,
Alan
went searching the suppliers catalogues and was unable to find the
bumper listed anywhere, in fact most of them don't even list the stop.
Can you remember who you purchased yours through, assuming you
replaced yours?
Regards,
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,333
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
A post that is a little off topic, but I still think relevant.
When I restored my 68, I completely re-did the vacuum head light assemblies...all the fittings with new...and also repro vacuum canisters for headlight actuators. Everything looked beautiful..especially those newly cad plated vacuum canisters. Probably within 4 years, one of the new vacuum canisters failed. Fortunately, I still had the original canisters available. The cad plating on the original didn't look good. I repainted it with Eastwood Cad paint and it looked pretty good. I installed it. I should remove the other repro cannister and repaint it so they look alike..or maybe replace the repro canister with the remaining original canister. I just wish that the repro parts had the quality of the original parts. The repro part failed after a few years. The original 47 year old part works fine.
When I restored my 68, I completely re-did the vacuum head light assemblies...all the fittings with new...and also repro vacuum canisters for headlight actuators. Everything looked beautiful..especially those newly cad plated vacuum canisters. Probably within 4 years, one of the new vacuum canisters failed. Fortunately, I still had the original canisters available. The cad plating on the original didn't look good. I repainted it with Eastwood Cad paint and it looked pretty good. I installed it. I should remove the other repro cannister and repaint it so they look alike..or maybe replace the repro canister with the remaining original canister. I just wish that the repro parts had the quality of the original parts. The repro part failed after a few years. The original 47 year old part works fine.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Apr 6, 2015 at 11:53 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Alan, after having viewed your photo of the headlight stop and bumper, I
went searching the suppliers catalogues and was unable to find the
bumper listed anywhere, in fact most of them don't even list the stop.
Can you remember who you purchased yours through, assuming you
replaced yours?
went searching the suppliers catalogues and was unable to find the
bumper listed anywhere, in fact most of them don't even list the stop.
Can you remember who you purchased yours through, assuming you
replaced yours?