Electric headlight actuator vs Vacuum
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 19
From: Glenville NC
Electric headlight actuator vs Vacuum
Has anybody replaced their vacuum actuator with electric? Restoring a 70 BB and almost to the point of setting in the headlights and thinking this would be a good time if that is the way I wanted to go. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
A lot of forum members have done this including me. Search headlight electric actuators conversion. ( vacuum to electric new way) Forum member
Richard454 makes a nice kit that’s basically plug and play.
Richard454 makes a nice kit that’s basically plug and play.
Last edited by speedreed8; Aug 1, 2021 at 09:17 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Contact Richard454.
I purchased his complete conversion kit and the quality is the best I’ve seen.
Anyone who has purchased one of Richard’s kit can tell you how pleased they are.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 939
From: Georgetown, Tx
Yep, I like the conversions.
There are advocates here that work extremely hard keeping their vacuum systems functional. Good for them because I am nostalgic about the old vacuum systems as well. But, reliable functionality will eventually win out.
It looks like today; your choices of repair parts for your vacuum headlight system are from China, or from China. The sad part is; that the parts are total crap, and many guys have become frustrated with the Chinese junk we are forced to settle with.
There are a number of vendors selling conversion kits. Regarding Richard454 kit; I’m sure it will be one of the best, given the craftsmanship he's displayed in his build thread.
The one thing that really bothers me about some of the electric conversions, and I know and admit up front that it is a petty complaint, is the rate of closure with the electric motors. Some of them when they close, they really 'Slap' the headlight system against the stops. I know it bugs me, but it is what it is.
Research the ones available. You will find one that will work for you.
There are advocates here that work extremely hard keeping their vacuum systems functional. Good for them because I am nostalgic about the old vacuum systems as well. But, reliable functionality will eventually win out.
It looks like today; your choices of repair parts for your vacuum headlight system are from China, or from China. The sad part is; that the parts are total crap, and many guys have become frustrated with the Chinese junk we are forced to settle with.
There are a number of vendors selling conversion kits. Regarding Richard454 kit; I’m sure it will be one of the best, given the craftsmanship he's displayed in his build thread.
The one thing that really bothers me about some of the electric conversions, and I know and admit up front that it is a petty complaint, is the rate of closure with the electric motors. Some of them when they close, they really 'Slap' the headlight system against the stops. I know it bugs me, but it is what it is.
Research the ones available. You will find one that will work for you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 19
From: Glenville NC
Originally Posted by 76-Vetteman;[url=tel:1603812261
1603812261[/url]]Yep, I like the conversions.
There are advocates here that work extremely hard keeping their vacuum systems functional. Good for them because I am nostalgic about the old vacuum systems as well. But, reliable functionality will eventually win out.
It looks like today; your choices of repair parts for your vacuum headlight system are from China, or from China. The sad part is; that the parts are total crap, and many guys have become frustrated with the Chinese junk we are forced to settle with.
There are a number of vendors selling conversion kits. Regarding Richard454 kit; I’m sure it will be one of the best, given the craftsmanship he's displayed in his build thread.
The one thing that really bothers me about some of the electric conversions, and I know and admit up front that it is a petty complaint, is the rate of closure with the electric motors. Some of them when they close, they really 'Slap' the headlight system against the stops. I know it bugs me, but it is what it is.
Research the ones available. You will find one that will work for you.
There are advocates here that work extremely hard keeping their vacuum systems functional. Good for them because I am nostalgic about the old vacuum systems as well. But, reliable functionality will eventually win out.
It looks like today; your choices of repair parts for your vacuum headlight system are from China, or from China. The sad part is; that the parts are total crap, and many guys have become frustrated with the Chinese junk we are forced to settle with.
There are a number of vendors selling conversion kits. Regarding Richard454 kit; I’m sure it will be one of the best, given the craftsmanship he's displayed in his build thread.
The one thing that really bothers me about some of the electric conversions, and I know and admit up front that it is a petty complaint, is the rate of closure with the electric motors. Some of them when they close, they really 'Slap' the headlight system against the stops. I know it bugs me, but it is what it is.
Research the ones available. You will find one that will work for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 939
From: Georgetown, Tx
Ok, I'm back.
Yes, I would like to keep the vacuum system. But, it will eventually fail.
I found a video of Richard454 Corvette, where he demonstrates by cycling up and down the motion of his headlight assemblies. They open and close, smoothly and quietly. And to me, this indicates an elegant, well thought out design. I'll be going with Richards design in a few months.
Check out his video, You’ll see..
Yes, I would like to keep the vacuum system. But, it will eventually fail.
I found a video of Richard454 Corvette, where he demonstrates by cycling up and down the motion of his headlight assemblies. They open and close, smoothly and quietly. And to me, this indicates an elegant, well thought out design. I'll be going with Richards design in a few months.
Check out his video, You’ll see..
Last edited by 76-Vetteman; Aug 2, 2021 at 01:10 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
The one thing that really bothers me about some of the electric conversions, and I know and admit up front that it is a petty complaint, is the rate of closure with the electric motors. Some of them when they close, they really 'Slap' the headlight system against the stops.
Last edited by oldgto; Aug 2, 2021 at 08:38 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
Last edited by speedreed8; Aug 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 121
Likes: 69
From: Leander, Texas
If you want to see Richard454's mod in action, look for an Elkhart green 1973 convertible at any car show you might attend in the north Austin area and suburbs. I sometimes go to shows in Georgetown and Pflugerville, and fairly often I go to an informal cruise-in in the parking lot associated with the Leander Lowe's and several other stores. It's kinda behind the McDonald's near the intersection of Crystal Falls Parkway and Hwy 183 in Leander. The cruise-in in is every Saturday night, roughly from 1800 hrs to dark.