Hi Confused New Guy Here!
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Hi Confused New Guy Here!
Hi everyone,
I'm fxdp02 (aka Jim) I'm 67(yup) and about to buy my first corvette. It's an 84 C4 123K mi. in pretty decent shape overall.(famous last words,right?)
I figure the first thing I needed to do was join this forum. The second is to ask a question. Hope you'll all bear with me.
Here goes......Will the headlight door motors from any year firebird work on the C4?
I look forward to hearing from all..... Thanks, Jim
I'm fxdp02 (aka Jim) I'm 67(yup) and about to buy my first corvette. It's an 84 C4 123K mi. in pretty decent shape overall.(famous last words,right?)
I figure the first thing I needed to do was join this forum. The second is to ask a question. Hope you'll all bear with me.
Here goes......Will the headlight door motors from any year firebird work on the C4?
I look forward to hearing from all..... Thanks, Jim
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
This thread seems to say no but one poster says the motor will fit but not the gearboxes. I have no personal experience.
Here's the thread -
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-fit-a-c4.html
Here's the thread -
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-fit-a-c4.html
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
First question would be, is the Firebird motor two or three wire?? If two wire it will not be a direct replacement, it would be similar to the 88-96 corvette motor, and require a module and mounting. As to a three wire physical matching I'm not sure.. If its just a problem with the door not opening or closing properly why not just rebuild as stated in the other thread. It's normally just a matter of replacing the one nylon gear..
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Some are direct swap some not. Also Pontiac fiero had some that exchanged...
Do a search on Google. I found several cars that used this same motor.
I can tell you now, that you are better off buying a reman, a good used from flea-bay or rebuilding yourself.
gears are easy, BUT the motor and armature is very tricky with 2 sets of micro-switches inside that control the reverse/stop/start of the drive motor.
Many guys upgrade to the 88 & up system that uses a different motor/actuator coupler and a control module instead of breaker points and relays like you have thru 87.
Good luck and WELCOME
Do a search on Google. I found several cars that used this same motor.
I can tell you now, that you are better off buying a reman, a good used from flea-bay or rebuilding yourself.
gears are easy, BUT the motor and armature is very tricky with 2 sets of micro-switches inside that control the reverse/stop/start of the drive motor.
Many guys upgrade to the 88 & up system that uses a different motor/actuator coupler and a control module instead of breaker points and relays like you have thru 87.
Good luck and WELCOME
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
Welcome aboard Jim.....don't worry about age, guessing most of us are old farts...
.....be sure to post pics when you can, be specific with your year when posting, 84's have some differences from the tpi versions...lots of really good help here.....lots of your questions can be answered by doing searches, if not, fire away.....
.....be sure to post pics when you can, be specific with your year when posting, 84's have some differences from the tpi versions...lots of really good help here.....lots of your questions can be answered by doing searches, if not, fire away.....
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,618
Likes: 1,055
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
Welcome Jim, keep us posted as to what you get. This site has lots of great owners who are willing to help if you ask. It also has a wealth of information in old posts. Search will help you find them.
The C3 forum has a great sticky on the cross-fire setup as it also came in the 82.
The C3 forum has a great sticky on the cross-fire setup as it also came in the 82.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
If you've got any mechanical skills, the motor isn't that hard to fix. The switches are easy to clean, which is very important. While you have the motors apart, lube the bearings with a light weight grease, like Lubriplate white grease. The armature needs to shift on its axis when the headlight door hits its stops, in order to actuate the switches.
What needs to be noted is the placement of the motor and its bushing(s) into the plastic case. There is a spring on the motor shaft with a guide plate that MUST drop in the correct "slot" in the case so the right amount of slide left/right is possible to actuate these micro-switches. Its EASY to miss....
So, double check the armature and the spring spacer plate and where it fits in the plastic case. It fits well when its correct, not as good when its missed its mark. You;ll know as long as you know to look for something to be out of place...
Have fun!
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