so my lights won't go down, so i got some new boots and seals.
How do you get the new boots on? I tried to remove the clevis, but could not get it off. Maybe I need to keep trying with some vice grips, but could not get it off usung water pump pliers. any suggestions. Is there any way to replace the actuator with out removing the hood?

1971 350

 

"Headlights wont go down" is on the non seal side, if this side of the actuator doesnt hold vacumn it should be replaced.If the diaphram has a hole in it I dont think the seal will help.Yes you can remove without removing hood if your careful.Remove hoses,close hood,remove both springs,cotter pin,pivot pin,washer,remove 1/2 inch nuts(4) I use a 15 inch extension with masking tape covering the shaft and go up through the grill with ratchet out side the car,dont use the grill for support.The support bracket will fight you a little,dont force them just make them line up with a little push.The actuator should be loose if I didnt forget anything.Move the act. over to center of radiator and lay at bottom on top of rad support.Slowly open hood make sure nothing is in the way.I always prop the hood up with a wooden dowel from the firewall instead of using the hood support.Two reasons exta room and if the ratchet slipped it might cut your hands off if the hood slammed shut ! OK with the hood up and secure make sure the act. rod is in.Now you can pull the act. out SLOWLY dont scratch your hood.If you start it up with the rod up you can rotate up and out,watch the vacumn port on the back side.watch the shaft when you come out it can scratch right at the v on the front of car.A sheet of paper lightly misted with water will stick to hood to prevent scratching.Going back in put can at bottom and close hood and now you can cuss at those little supports--be gentle.I think I got most of it -you can fill in the gaps---Good Luck

 

thanks, but what i should have said is lights won't stay down. If i reach under and release them, when the car is off, they stay down. As soon as i start the bitch up, boing they came up. like a prisoner on viagra in a hoar house.

 

sounds like you dont have vacumn at the small port on the relay between the actuators--white hose

 

is the switch under the dash pulled down?

 

i'll check these,

override is not pulled down.

 

Easy way to test it. Remove the hose that goes to the front of the actuator at the distribution valve. If you can blow in it or suck like its a straw then the seal in the actuator is shot. If you blow and the head light goes up or down and you feel resistance its fine.

As suggested remove the springs, pin etc. Undo the bolts that hold the actuator in place. Close the hood push it back and towards the center (most room. Lift the hood carefully and remove the actuator.

Jim

 

This was the ticket. I pulled off the hose where it was connected to go into the fire wall, and pulled of the small hose comming off the check valve. plugged into check valve, headlights went down
Now the question is, is my problem with the solinoid?
I checkd the vaccum going to the override switch, nada, zip zero, but there was some going to the wiper override.
any thoughts?

 

The headlight overide switch is fed by the headlight switch.The headlight switch is fed by the 3 port trico valve under the hood.

 

A couple of days ago one of the other members sent in this diagram via this web site. www.Corvette-101.com Go to vacumn troubles,hope this helps.e-mail direct if it doesnt dawnandroger@sbcglobal.net