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Topic: Slow moving headlights

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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Slow moving headlights (1/3)
 6/3/24 2:43pm
RedwingvetteLifetime Member
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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe


Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1744

After just dealing with the RH headlight moving slow or just not opening all the way I decided to check things out. Last fall I purchased a full set of relays/actuators 

first I checked vacuum with the engine idling and found it to be above 16 at the manifold. 
I then changed out the relay but that did not change anything.

so I went through the fun of changing the actuator. From under the car I disconnected everything but I could not get it to push out of the bracket so I lowered the car down, opened the hood and fished it out of the bracket but could not get it out with the hood open. I was able to push it toward the center where it fit below the edge of the hood. I closed the hood, lifted the car back up and pulled it out through the bottom. Then I had to remove the knuckle off the threaded rod. Rust and time had it stuck pretty good so I removed the plastic bushing and heated the piece to get it to unscrew. I chased the threads with a tap to clean the rust out of the threads. 
I fished the new unit back into place and reattached everything. 
Now it works like it should again.

Having a 4- post lift definitely made this job easier.

after looking over the old actuator I could see the issue:

 



|UPDATED|6/3/2024 11:43:18 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


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Re: Slow moving headlights (2/3)
 6/3/24 10:40pm
NorskyLifetime Member
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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am


Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7225

Definitely nice to have something working again after chasing through a difficult project!  Nice work...!!!



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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

Re: Slow moving headlights (3/3)
 6/4/24 12:41pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20154

Nice job, Brian! Those actuator seals, as well as relay seals cause all kinds of problems. Keep your old ones and replace the seals, then you'll have spares! 



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Joel Adams
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