headlight conversion
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,300
Likes: 16
From: TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
headlight conversion
I am considering scrapping the stock setup and going with the fixed electric setup on my 76. I have found the setup complete for $350.00.
The reason I am considering this is because the headlights dont pop up. I replaced the seals on the actuators, but still didnt work. Also, the passenger side wont even go up manually- the support is cracked, causing the whole unit to sit too low- it hits the body when lifted up. I figure if I repair/replace the support, and all the vacuum components, the total will be close to $350.00.
The car is pretty original, so I didnt want to make too many alterations- but the units are bolt in, and I could always just keep the old setup. This would also "clean up" the engine compartment with out the vacuum lines and canisters.
For those that have done the conversion- how much did you pay?
Any thoughts are welcome.
The reason I am considering this is because the headlights dont pop up. I replaced the seals on the actuators, but still didnt work. Also, the passenger side wont even go up manually- the support is cracked, causing the whole unit to sit too low- it hits the body when lifted up. I figure if I repair/replace the support, and all the vacuum components, the total will be close to $350.00.
The car is pretty original, so I didnt want to make too many alterations- but the units are bolt in, and I could always just keep the old setup. This would also "clean up" the engine compartment with out the vacuum lines and canisters.
For those that have done the conversion- how much did you pay?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
I was going to do this with my 69. got the lights put them in and didn't like haw the looked. It was not a bolt in for my year. Still have the lights but I don't think they will work on a 76. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,300
Likes: 16
From: TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: headlight conversion (ylose)
most of the major vendors have them- Ecklers, Corvette Central, Riks Vette- I have the info at home, but I think its Riksvette that has them for 350.00.
Crf311- would you be intersested in selling me the lights? (If they will work with my 76)
Crf311- would you be intersested in selling me the lights? (If they will work with my 76)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,300
Likes: 16
From: TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
just to clear it up- I'm talking about the fixed, recessed rectangular headlight conversions.
cmon- someone talk me into it - or out of it.
cmon- someone talk me into it - or out of it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
For that amount of $$$, you should check into the vacuum to electric conversion that's recently been announced. I don't have the exact details, but I believe it is something that '69myway' is involved with.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: headlight conversion (pws69)
For that amount of $$$, you should check into the vacuum to electric conversion that's recently been announced. I don't have the exact details, but I believe it is something that '69myway' is involved with.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: headlight conversion (wcsinx)
In my opinion, you couldnt pay me enough to scrap the original pop-up lights. The vacuum system seems to be this big scary animal to most vetters. Actually the system is very simple.
Go through the system hose by hose, relay by actuator, spring by spring. Trust me, you WILL find the problem, fix it and be happy with yourself when you can say to your buddies "Yeah, I fixed them myself"
Go through the system hose by hose, relay by actuator, spring by spring. Trust me, you WILL find the problem, fix it and be happy with yourself when you can say to your buddies "Yeah, I fixed them myself"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
I bought recessed lights for my car for a few reasons. First, mine didn't work. Second, it's a lot of adjusting and care to make sure they are aligned right so they don't chip the paint. Third, they're heavy, and forth, I like the look of the recessed lights. They look meaner. :reddevil
I think I got mine for $200 on Ebay.
Jerry
I think I got mine for $200 on Ebay.
Jerry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: headlight conversion (jerryjfunk)
I bought recessed lights for my car for a few reasons. First, mine didn't work.
Second, it's a lot of adjusting and care to make sure they are aligned right so they don't chip the paint.
Third, they're heavy
and forth, I like the look of the recessed lights. They look meaner. :reddevil
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: headlight conversion (wcsinx)
DON'T do it whatever you do. Fix the original lights. I think you would regret it if you did. The pop up lights are a big part of the cool factor on the c-3 as well as being fully functional to this day
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
For considerably less than $350 you can buy all vacuum parts and hoses. Do this with a good diagram and you'll have an operating system. It's not that hard to do.
Fixed headlights are for racecar or heavily customized cafe racers. They also reduce the value of your car for resale.
Fixed headlights are for racecar or heavily customized cafe racers. They also reduce the value of your car for resale.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,483
Likes: 1
From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: headlight conversion (wcsinx)
Bring me your car, and give me 30 minutes. I'll either get them working or pinpoint what's wrong and what parts you need to get.
I'll be right over.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I will get to mine after it cools off in the fall... :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: headlight conversion (Desertdawg)
Bring me your car, and give me 30 minutes. I'll either get them working or pinpoint what's wrong and what parts you need to get.
Hmmm Arizona to Florida to fix the headlights....sounds like a fun trip.
I'll be right over.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I will get to mine after it cools off in the fall... :cheers:
Hmmm Arizona to Florida to fix the headlights....sounds like a fun trip.
I'll be right over.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I will get to mine after it cools off in the fall... :cheers:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 13,300
Likes: 16
From: TX
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: headlight conversion (wcsinx)
thank you guys for your opinions. If it was just a matter of tracking down a vacuum leak, I wouldnt even consider the fixed headlight setup- but, the headlight support bracket is cracked down the middle- these things are expensive- around $150.00 from what Ive seen. Perhaps it could be welded- I think its aluminum, but Im not sure.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
I've got about $75 into mine and a lot of people have said they look way better/meaner than stock. I still have to buy the covers ($200) from Ecklers. I guess weigh in the price/looks of each setup. To each his own. Good luck! :)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Re: headlight conversion (bhblue80)
thank you guys for your opinions. If it was just a matter of tracking down a vacuum leak, I wouldnt even consider the fixed headlight setup- but, the headlight support bracket is cracked down the middle- these things are expensive- around $150.00 from what Ive seen. Perhaps it could be welded- I think its aluminum, but Im not sure.
:cheers:
:cheers:
