Vacuum Headlight replacement

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 26, 2002 | 03:04 PM

wcsinx

Thread Starter

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 24,160

Likes: 78

Vacuum Headlight replacement

Just curious...

Is there any sort of third party kit that will convert your vacuum powered headlights to electric? And/or has anyone here ever tried to build something like this?

Jun 27, 2002 | 01:55 AM

Stevo81

Pro

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 726

Likes: 0

From: Petaluma CA

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (wcsinx)

I have thought about it. (Of course I have thought about Julia Roberts, too, but I never did that, either). The wiring would be easy. The only challenging part is designing the mechanism. And getting it in there. Good post, thanks. Hope there are some good replies. :yesnod:

Jun 27, 2002 | 10:21 AM

wcsinx

Thread Starter

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 24,160

Likes: 78

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (Stevo)

I think I'm actually going to try to design them once I get my shark. (prays .. this weekend I think!) Have you thought about any design for them? Maybe we could collaborate? I'm pretty good with getting electric motors to do things. :)

Jun 27, 2002 | 10:31 AM

Chucks76

Racer

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 437

Likes: 0

From: Fletcher OK

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (wcsinx)

There was a guy on here last year that was working on it pretty seriously. Havent heard anything for a while though....

Jun 27, 2002 | 10:47 AM

Twin_Turbo

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 16,945

Likes: 9

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (Chucks76)

It was 69myway that pulled it off!

Marck

Jun 27, 2002 | 10:59 AM

gerry72

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,711

Likes: 43

From: San Antonio TX

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (wcsinx)

I believe this operation is being considered for a near issue of Junkyard Wars. Seriously, though, once you get the vacuum system working right it is very reliable and simple. I know a lot of folks poo-poo the system but remember, these cars were never intended to last as long as we've kept them on the road and parts do wear out.

I finally got my whole system working the way it did when it left the factory and I don't think I'd ever consider an electro-mechanical conversion of the system.

Jun 27, 2002 | 11:22 AM

wcsinx

Thread Starter

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 24,160

Likes: 78

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (gerry72)

You're probably the first person I've heard actually praise the vacuum system. What's the most common point of failure on them? I know the car I'm probably going to get already has vacuum light issues. The current owner says the lights come up very slowly so he just leaves them up all the time now.

Jun 27, 2002 | 12:02 PM

gerry72

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 3,711

Likes: 43

From: San Antonio TX

Re: Vacuum Headlight replacement (wcsinx)

Quote:

...What's the most common point of failure on them?...

The seals for the actuators, the control valves, the vacuum check valve, the wiperarm relay valve. You also have the override switches and the wiper control solenoid, and of course the hoses, but in most instances you'll find the problems in the first four things. This assumes that Bubba ain't yet got to yer vaccum system fur some custom fixin'.