I took my 1970 LS5 to what I thought was a trustworthy mechanic for carb work who then messed with the vacuum lines leading to the headlights leading to my headlight problems: At first one headlight was slower than the other and now does not work at all. Now both are up and only one will go down. I thought that was unusual because the most common headlight problem was the 'lazy eye' which my car never got. Any tips?

 

Open your hood and take a look at the headlight actuators. The rear hose has most likely come off the one that is staying up.

 

Thanks but I already tried that... I think the problem is that the mechanic just plug-and-played with the vacuum lines without ever looking at schematics.

 

Hi w,
Welcome! New Member!! AND, a 70 bb!!! Nice!!!!
If the cause of your problems was caused by the mechanic and he didn't enter the interior of the car there are only a few things to check.
First check the vacuum line fitting the intake behind the carb. It should start as one large hose, pass through a white plastic filter, then through a gray metal check valve, and then split into a large and small hose.
The small hose enters the interior through a grommet in the firewall. A small hose comes out of the firewall and runs forward to the headlight relays.
The large hose is the supply for the actuators for your wiper door and headlights. Check that one is running forward along the driver's side apron, through the core support and splits to enter the center nipple on each of the relays.
Check all those connections. Here's a picture of what you should be seeing… large green striped hose to the forward nipple on the actuators and large red striped hose to the rear nipples on the actuators.
It's pretty confusing but actually pretty easy once you identify the parts and where the connections should be.
Do you have a vacuum diagram? Willcox has a very nice one on their site that would be a big help to you.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Here's a few pics which may help you to spot something amiss with your vacuum system.

 

[QUOTE=Alan 71;1590049522]Hi w,
Welcome! New Member!! AND, a 70 bb!!! Nice!!!!
If the cause of your problems was caused by the mechanic and he didn't enter the interior of the car there are only a few things to check.
First check the vacuum line fitting the intake behind the carb. It should start as one large hose, pass through a white plastic filter, then through a gray metal check valve, and then split into a large and small hose.
The small hose enters the interior through a grommet in the firewall. A small hose comes out of the firewall and runs forward to the headlight relays.
The large hose is the supply for the actuators for your wiper door and headlights. Check that one is running forward along the driver's side apron, through the core support and splits to enter the center nipple on each of the relays.
Check all those connections. Here's a picture of what you should be seeing… large green striped hose to the forward nipple on the actuators and large red striped hose to the rear nipples on the actuators.
It's pretty confusing but actually pretty easy once you identify the parts and where the connections should be.
Do you have a vacuum diagram? Willcox has a very nice one on their site that would be a big help to you.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Thanks Alan, I'll definitely look where you said and those pictures are definitely helpful. I just checked Willcox and the only 'Tech Picture' they have is of the heater relay. Do you have a link to where I could find it?

 

Here you go.



Donnie

 

Sometimes if the light is jammed open and you just want it closed. You can start the car, turn the headlights off and lift up on the light housing as if you are going to open it more. Usually when you let go, it will close if the mechanic parts are locking up.