Electric head light actuator kit
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
A faulty vacuum system caused by one of the 35-40 year old parts and The car owners aggravation at the problem is exactly how and why Ecklers goes 
and Nets $1000 Dollars and I get headlamp doors That open and close, . My headlamp doors will open and close again just fine with a troubleshoot and replace of a part.
I could get a Top of the line new spal cooling system for a grand, Or a raise the performance of my engine 25% without much more labor and cost than that box of crap. Did you see the instruction manual. That Kit will never fly, I think I know who sold the prototype to EcKlers, theyve worked on it for years and it never Flew. If Im right Ecklers is trying to make some quick bucks on the kit before the customer realizes that its not worth $250 or the trouble Modding the C3 without real good reason.
Acklers
and Nets $1000 Dollars and I get headlamp doors That open and close, . My headlamp doors will open and close again just fine with a troubleshoot and replace of a part. I could get a Top of the line new spal cooling system for a grand, Or a raise the performance of my engine 25% without much more labor and cost than that box of crap. Did you see the instruction manual. That Kit will never fly, I think I know who sold the prototype to EcKlers, theyve worked on it for years and it never Flew. If Im right Ecklers is trying to make some quick bucks on the kit before the customer realizes that its not worth $250 or the trouble Modding the C3 without real good reason.
Acklers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Firebird headlight motors $60 off e-bay
new bronze gears $80 off e-bay
newer headlight controller $25 Carlisle
newer headlight switch and controller pigtails $50 off here
My time...free...thats a lot cheaper.
new bronze gears $80 off e-bay
newer headlight controller $25 Carlisle
newer headlight switch and controller pigtails $50 off here
My time...free...thats a lot cheaper.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
It's a '74 btw.
Last edited by Dantana; Jul 4, 2009 at 06:11 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Someone has already ripped out my vacuum system for the most part. What's left doesn't work (wipers, etc) so for me, since i'm starting from scratch, I'm going to do something electric. What that is exactly remains to be seen... I hear parts from a trans am or firebird makes a cost effective swap?
It's a '74 btw.
It's a '74 btw.
Your wipers don't involve vacuum.
If you like the electric way the killer lights by 69myway have a good rating among forum members.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 2
From: Long Valley NJ
If I hadn't just refurbed everything ober the winter with the headlights I would have considered this. My only issue is it took them this long to come up with it. That it all comes in a kit is good for a lot of us wo don't have the time to track down all the different components needed for the firebird kit. If you can afford it then more power to you. Let us know how it works out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
If I hadn't just refurbed everything ober the winter with the headlights I would have considered this. My only issue is it took them this long to come up with it. That it all comes in a kit is good for a lot of us wo don't have the time to track down all the different components needed for the firebird kit. If you can afford it then more power to you. Let us know how it works out.
too many complaints, then you have the storage tanks, valves, lines, relays, all that stupid crap....one way valves, controls then special headlight switches, and under dash pull valves,
and after all that crap is fixed to be marginally functional....you get into the geeky look of the stock lights....
sometimes a timeless design flat needs updating....and with the Mcspeed system, height can be adjusted fairly easy....
stick in a lo profile bulb.....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
I got under the car today and saw that the hose that was coming from the engine to the tube in the front was bent, but couldn't see if that was the problem because my battery was dead. I hope they work now. and I agree, with $1000 I can increase the power on the engine or get some rims for the car.
.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
$1000.00 for headlamp actuators is a rip off, Ecklers who could have guessd that? I just followed Mcspeeds electrics and made my own for my 73. I have the stock vac. system in my 77. Guess what? They both do the same thing. Open and close.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
LOTS easier to track down a ebay Firebird motor set plus gears than a GOOD LONG LASTING set of witches hats for the stock setup.....
too many complaints, then you have the storage tanks, valves, lines, relays, all that stupid crap....one way valves, controls then special headlight switches, and under dash pull valves,
and after all that crap is fixed to be marginally functional....you get into the geeky look of the stock lights....
sometimes a timeless design flat needs updating....and with the Mcspeed system, height can be adjusted fairly easy....
stick in a lo profile bulb.....
too many complaints, then you have the storage tanks, valves, lines, relays, all that stupid crap....one way valves, controls then special headlight switches, and under dash pull valves,
and after all that crap is fixed to be marginally functional....you get into the geeky look of the stock lights....
sometimes a timeless design flat needs updating....and with the Mcspeed system, height can be adjusted fairly easy....
stick in a lo profile bulb.....
I am NOT a purist. I am too practical to own a "pure" '80 Corvette. Mine has been updated with a GM 350 HO crate engine, Steeroids, composite mono springs front and back, headers, dual exhaust, etc.
I have had Chris McDonald's Mcspeed "Killer Lights" system I fab'ed myself for years using Firebird motors. Even at today's prices, it would cost me a LOT less than $1000 to build using eBay and salvage yard parts plus a few home made parts.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
That kit is a rip off. Although. the linear style actuators are more reliable than vacuum or the gear style electric stuff. I think I have seen the acutators like that for a couple hundred bucks. I think it could be done with one actuator too. complete rip off. those guys have their head up their @**.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
The very first thing I'd do is look at the seals on teh actuators. If the rubber is cracked or at all worn looking, I'd replace them as a matter or course. All it took to fix my lights that didnt' go up was a seal kit. Both actuators together I think were $40. If that doesn't fix it, then I'd dig further to find the problem. I did all the diagnosis first, and found the worn seals. If I had looked first, I would have saved myself a lot of time.