My headlight doors and/or wiper door on my C-3 Corvette operate intermittently, erratically, out of sync, or not at all sometimes. Is it easy to fix? Is it inexpensive?

 

Since it's happening to both headlights, and wiper door, then that should make it much easier to fix, since it's should be in one of the shared components.

Does it still run well when there is a problem?

I would suspect, it's not on one of the control lines, because those are not shared. My guess would be to look at, and verify the conenctions are good on the vacuum canister. Also, look at the supply line to the vacuum canister. Also, look at the check valve, if it's sticking badly, then I assume that could cause the issues you are having.

 

Willcox as a excellent trouble shooting guide on their website.

 

The C-3 Corvette used a vacuum powered system to operate these items. Each headlight door has a vacuum can (reservoir) under the nose, and a third can for the wiper door. The wiper door system in our experience was problematic when new on the 1968 Corvettes, but later improved. The major problem with these systems is a multitude of vacuum lines which are made of rubber and deteriorate, crack and leak with age, diaphragms in the cans and actuator valves along with a lever system on the headlight door which is very critical in its adjustment. In a 20 or more year old car the problem can be almost any of these components, or worse yet, a multitude of the components (multiple problems)

If you have multiple problems, and start with a visual and touch inspection of all of the vacuum tubing related to the 3 systems. If the hoses are hard, show cracking or splitting at the ends where they connect to a source you may as well bite the bullet and replace ALL of the vacuum hoses at one time. The best source for the CORRECT colorcoded hoses that will keep (or make ) your Corvette original in this respect is Dr. Rebuild. His kits have the NCRS correct diameter hoses with the correct color and width of the green yellow and red stripes. (He has an on line catalog that pokes considerable fun at Zip Products kits and is worth reading just for grins even if you don’t want to buy his products which are first rate). If some ten thumbed idiot hasn’t replaced part or all of the OEM hoses with AutoZonedOut black hoses of the wrong diameter and broken some of the nipples or fittings trying to jam the too small hose on, and you plunked down a few bucks for the correct color coded vacuum diagram for your year car, you’re in luck! Just replace one old hose at a time with a matching color correct length. Assuming you don’t have problems in your mechanisms you may find that your headlight doors and wiper door operate consistently and properly again.

But what if your life is like mine and the simple and (relatively) inexpensive fix although necessary to do, still doesn’t fix one or more of the problems? Provided there is enough interest I can provide you Chapter II and Chapter III on this matter next. At present there is a very nice 1971 black C-3 big block convertible, and 1971 blue C-3 small block in the shop that came in within 3 days of each other. Both had about as much wrong with the vacuum systems as was possible, although as you can see from the pictures they are very nice cars overall. Phil Roche, the GULDSTRAND shop technician who specializes in C-1 through C-3s is shown working on the black C-3. Close ups of the completed installation of the lines on the blue C-3 are also provided

 

These guys have no clue who you are. Welcome to our forum.

 

First of all, welcome to the forum. I can only assume we are talking about a 68-72 car here, as they have the wiper door. It would help to know what exact year you have, as the 68 cars are different from the 69-72 wiper door systems.

I have repaired a lot of vacuum headlight/wiper door systems. The symptoms you describe point to common issues.

It can be simple (easy), and it can be inexpensive. The first question here is are you going to do the work, or will you have to pay someone else to do it.
If you want to do the work, it is important to understand how the vacuum system works. The forum has a very good post to help here.
Are your components original? If so, my money is on leaky seals on the actuators, and leaky relays.

It can be expensive if you have someone do the work who will only replace components without doing the proper tests on them because they don't understand it.

I would start here;

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

 

Thanks, glad to be here Dick Guldstrand AKA MR.Corvette

 

welcome sir!! missed talking with you at the last St Charles Bloomington Gold

 

[QUOTE=redvetracr;1586061831]welcome sir!! missed talking with you at the last St Charles Bloomington Gold[/QUOTE Hope to see you soon

 

Yes, it still Runs- little sluggish- but that could be another issue

 

Yes they are original Thanks for your help

 

Where are you guys located? I know the name- Guldstrand has quite a good rep in the Corvette world. Did Guldstrand's move? Searching for your new location??

 

Thanks, for the info and pics. The Blue small block is just like mine. Where are you located in Burbank?

 

If you find the link (post 6) that Dave J posted to long to read go here and test each relay, actuator and check valve:
http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm

If you need any new hoses you can get them at any parts store, size 5/32 7/32 and 9/32.
Most hoses can be fixed by cutting off the last inch or so.

 

Thanks for bringing your C3 down- my apologies for the confusion with the shop location- GULDSTRAND Performance- owner Dick Guldstrand aka MR. CORVETTE is located at 2800 N. San Fernando Blvd Burbank, CA- We recently moved from the old Burbank location to a NEW 7,000sft shop- much larger

 

WOW! Did that picture of the Studebaker on the lift in your shop bring back a flood of memories! That was my first car - Studebaker Champion. I think my love of cars really started with that one. Those were good times.