Can some of these vac accessories be converted to electric reasonably? Primarily the windshield wipers, headlight lifts, and heater controls? (75 vette)

 

Easily, sorta. Cheaply, very no.

There's no vacuum involved in the wipers on a '75. Much smarter idea just to fix the vacuum system

 

when my car was stripped they cut most all of the vac lines... i guess i need to just re run all the lines

 

Linear actuated wiper door. Replaced the firewall wiper switch to DPDT in order to operate the wipers and limit acuator travel.
Cost, about $100 for actuator, switch, diode, 2 relays.

 

Just start at the manifold connection and go step by step.
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm
If you get stumped, post back. You'll get plenty of help here.

 

Purchase a vacuum hose kit, purchase the assembly instruction manual (AIM), and use the diagrams in the AIM to install your replacement hoses. AIM shows the routing and the color codes.

 

The vacuum actuated headlights and stuff on a 'vette work just fine if everything is in working order. Getting it into working order can be difficult if you don't know what you are doing, but is actually pretty easy if you do know what you are doing. Here is another link to help you out, I found it very helpful when I was trying to figure it all out. I also highly recommend the AIM, especially if you have to replace missing stuff, or fix things that were "fixed" by a previous owner named Bubba. Good luck,

edit: Oops! Forgot to add the link! LOL! Here it is:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...tem-works.html


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

Since the PO removed your lines this might help...

 

Firebird headlight motors...




click for video

 

Everyone who has converted their vacuum stuff to electric wants you to do the same thing (misery loves company); but it costs a lot of money and/or takes a lot of work time to make it happen. It is much less expensive to buy a $10 manual on how the vacuum system works and how to diagnose problems; spend $20 on a good vacuum gauge; read the manual so that you know what you are doing; then take a Saturday morning to diagnose what you need to do to fix yours.

Vacuum hoses are cheap; the engine makes its own vacuum; each vacuum device can be easily tested; most can be easily repaired; replacements aren't all that expensive [considering they last for 40 years].

But....to each his own....

 

thats a nice upgrade, having a C4 with the electric light actuators, thats much simpler

 

Doesnt everything in this hobby cost alot of time and money?
I hated how cluttered the engine compartment was with vacuum hoses, tanks and relays. The factory system does work great when everything is working though (and if your motor makes enough vacuum to operate everything).

 

I'm not trying to talk anyone into changing anything. But back when I did my swap the 68 "coffee can" vacuum actuators were $300 and they leaked. So electric was the way to go. I was doing this during my LSx swap and was putting in a new electric harness, so the extra wires was not an issue.
I've got a couple emails on this, so here's what I did.
Bought a 2" mini actuator from these guys.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_...roducts_id=136

I gutted the complex lever mechanism in the wiper well. Then clearanced the wiper hole so the electric actuator would fit. Made a couple brackets to hold it in place.
Another pic, in progress.


The other end is bolted directly to the arm in the wiper well.
I replaced the over complicated 68 wiper with a 77 model. It only needs power and the 2 dash switch grounds.
I replaced the spst wiper door switch with an almost identical dpdt microswitch. It functions to limit the linear actuator travel (switch and diode, you can find info online) AND to permit the wiper motor to start once the door is open. The switch "high" ground is wired through the switch.
The polarity is reversed by 2 relays that are also wired to the dash wiper switch "high" ground.
So you flip the dash wiper switch, it grounds the relays and starts the linear actuator moving. When the adjustable wiper door limit switch is tripped, it stops the actuator AND starts the wiper motor.
When you shut off the dash switch, you loose the ground to the relays, it reverses polarity to the actuator and starts closing the door. It's slow enough so the wipers always park befor the door closes. The linerar actuator has an internal limit that stops travel once the door is closed.

BTW, my headlights are still vacuum operated.

I could make a wiring diagram if anyone is interested.

 

Gary you said you could make a wiring diagram if we are interested. I am interested for sure.

 

Ditto here

 

excellent tech, I'm interested in the procedure and part #'s for the lights also.....just in case

 

Kinda going from memory. And the DPDT door limit switch should be wired in revers, one open while the other is closed.

 

This seems so simple of a Mod... Why isn't everyone doing this?

I priced 02 Firebird Headlamp Motors (829124H/829125H) out at RockAuto for $78 a piece.

 

Don't forget the arms for the actuators. I picked up a used set of actuators with arms for $25 from a guy parting out a 94' Trans Am. Also got the T56 6 speed for $750!

 

Cause fixing the stock vacuum system is even easier and cheaper than what you've found. Simple as that.