Brass Gear Headlight Upgrade

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Oct 1, 2014 | 10:27 AM

Eran X. Jones

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Instructor

Joined: Nov 2008

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From: Black Diamond, Washington

Brass Gear Headlight Upgrade

Did the brass gear upgrade today on the headlight motors on "Beauty" the 1994. My only concern is that the pellets could fail again due to them still be made of Teflon. Has anyone experienced this after this upgrade?

Oct 1, 2014 | 10:53 PM

Hot Rod Roy

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From: Mission Viejo CA

Those pellets act as a torque limiting clutch, so that if something jams in the headlight mechanism, the clutch will slip rather than shattering the pivots in the housing! They slip a little every time the housing hits the stops at the end of their opening or closing travel.

Jun 5, 2019 | 06:57 PM

ChrisLSx

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Lawrenceburg, KY

Update: After running them for a year and a half, the case split (the epoxy didn't hold). I switched out to fixed headlights which are much brighter but I miss the way the car looks with the lights down. If I decide to go back to popups, I'll convert to the older bolt together motors so they can't split again.

Jun 6, 2019 | 09:01 AM

puterami

Burning Brakes

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From: Park City, TN

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Eran X. Jones

My only concern is that the pellets could fail again due to them still be made of Teflon.

Since you gave an update yesterday I thought that I would chime in.

I use the exact same "pellets" in window motors for my two Fox Mustangs.
I replaced the two in my 84 18 years ago and the 4 in my 85 convertible 6 years ago.
They have lasted fine since.

FYI, I also replaced the ones in my 96 Corvette a couple of months ago, yet did not upgrade to brass gear.

Last edited by puterami; Jun 6, 2019 at 09:01 AM.

Jun 6, 2019 | 06:06 PM

Hot Rod Roy

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From: Mission Viejo CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by puterami

I replaced the two in my '84 18 years ago and the 4 in my '85 convertible 6 years ago.

I'm sorry to inform you that there are no "pellets" in the '84-'87 headlight motors.

Jun 7, 2019 | 09:20 AM

puterami

Burning Brakes

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From: Park City, TN

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Roy

I'm sorry to inform you that there are no "pellets" in the '84-'87 headlight motors.

I wasn't clear enough.

I use the exact same "pellets" in window motors for my two Fox Mustangs.
I replaced the two in my 84 (Mustang) 18 years ago and the 4 in my 85 convertible (Mustang) 6 years ago.

Note: The window motors in my Mustangs look *exactly* like the two headlight motors in my 96 Corvette. Hence, same pellets.
I posted to give testimony that the pellets have worked fine in two motors for going on 18 years now and 4 motors going on 6 years.

Jun 7, 2019 | 12:25 PM

Pwnage1337

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Custer, WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by puterami

Still not clear enough, can you post pictures of the cars to prove that you own two mustangs? To make sure it's not a picture from the internet I need you to write on a piece of cardboard "peanut butter sandwich" and hold it up while you stand next to the car.

Thanks!

Last edited by Pwnage1337; Jun 7, 2019 at 12:31 PM.