Recommendations on headlight motor rebuilder
 

Looking for recommendations for either a place to buy new headlight motors (c2) with a core charge or to send mine out and have them re-built over the winter....

Thanks!

I'd avoid the new, repro motors - the exteriors look wholesome but those that have purchased them are not happy from what I hear....operational issues it seems.

Also, I know you do some high-end stuff and keeping your date-coded motors might be a consideration... They are really easy to rebuild if you want to tackle it - a pleasant Saturday morning's work and the repro parts are very good now.

Steve Hackel was the person everyone liked a few years back, I don't know if he still does them - he may have stopped; otherwise Eckler's and several other vendors offer rebuild services:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1589683451

Hm. had not thought about rebuilding them myself.... silly me.... Tough job or any special tools needed? Anyone stock a rebuild kit?

Thanks Frank!

Not even close to a problem and nothing required beyond some sockets...the motors come out by removing one electrical connector, a ground wire and a "hairpin" clip and can be removed from in front of the hood by carefully extracting them out with the hood at fully opened position (past where the hood prop rod holds it). Either tie the hood up all the way or prop it open all the way. Here is an article on doing it - do NOT "flip the gear" as is shown....that was done often before the good repro gears were available - so, buy a new main gear instead:

Great! Source for gear?

Been ages but I think you can flip the gear over, like getting brand new one.

Corvette Specialties of MD West out of Palm Desert, CA is another company that does outstanding work.

Steve Hack of Eastern Corvettes, Amelia, Ohio also does a terrific job on rebuilding these motors.

Regarding the Chinese motors, a lot of folks assumed that once they showed up in the market, headlight motor issues would be a thing of the past. I don't know if the new motors still have the problem, but a few years back there was an alignment issue where they interfaced with the headlight bucket. Some friends that bought them could get no satisfaction from the suppliers. The suppliers recommended solution was to "shim" them... Both of them had to find originals and have them rebuilt to correct the problem. You might want to talk to some folks that have experience with them before plunking down your money for the Chinese motors.

Good luck... GUSTO

:iagree: Two excellent sources besides Steve Hackel (Illinois). As stated, there is also a excellent tutorial on"How to do it Yourself" by Dale Maris from NCRS.. I was planning to do a tech presentation using this material for our local NCRS Chapter. I can send it to you via email if interested. PDF format. Just send me a PM with your email address.

Larry

I cleaned and replaced the gears and the lights still were slow to come up. So I sent them to Eckler's and the guy they sent it to did a great job and replaced some of the old worn-out parts now the buckets operate like new. I highly recommend them.

So, first of all, thank you all for the advice and info, including the video and stuff Larry..... I tackled the project today and your right, pretty easy. Right and side, was slick and opens/closes fast smooth and easy..... Left side....... troubled child...

the rebuild went fine, and test out of the car was good, but once installed, it runs very very slowly about 1/2 the time and the other 1/2, only opens about 1/4 way and stops.....I tested for voltage and I have 11.5 at both the yellow and green wire (assuming its a polarizing thing to open/close) but the voltage seems to jump around (or it could be me with the tester too) and don't ya know it, I broke the green plastic connector while playing with it...

So, first, can one get just the connector? two, would it be better to get a full front headlight wire harness as clearly this one is old and brittle.....

And, any idea on what to look at next for the left headlight?

Thanks!

Andy is this an original motor, or an off-shore replacement.

One of the problems with some of the (early?) off-shore replacements was the manner in which they interface with the headlight bucket. They do not mate up at the same angle when bolted in place and can result in some binding. The seller at Carlisle had no response except to suggest the holes be elongated or to shim them. Not the answer we were looking for.

Good luck... GUSTO

If you mean the connector with the yellow and green wires in it, yes, Wilcox Corvette #42366 or #42188. Power window motors use the same connector.

If you mean the connector for the microswitches, no, but standard 1/4" female auto parts store connectors will work.

Gusto, based upon what the motors look like, I am guessing they are original... They look to be that age... btw, when is Carlisle for 2019?

Buns, yes, the green connector that they yellow and green wire goes into... crumbled in my hand.... Being that connector is so old (I will get to Wilcox, thanks), is that indicative of the warning to just replace the whole headlight wire harness? Seems like Zip has them for $175 and Ecklers for $186?

The question wasn't directed to me, but you already know the answer....

So, is there a preferred vendor for stuff? Like who has the best electrical, best whatever? (I see that most like Al Koch for interiors..)

Andy, you should be able to find markings like this on original motors...

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d879aecd62.jpg
1966 Headlight Motor

Corvettes at Carlisle 2019 is Aug 22-25. The last full weekend before Labor Day. :thumbs:

Good luck... GUSTO