Headlight Actuators

I just purchased my '73. The headlamps work, but evidently no vacuum to activate doors. What are the items to check? Easy items to look for to difficult things to check....Really appreciate the
help.. Anyone in the Chicago South Suburban area that could take a peek at it?

Thanks!!!

Having been through this recently when I restored my '76, you should check every hose for leaks. I ended up just replacing them so I knew they were "sound".

After doing that, I was getting a little movement, but very slow and sometimes only up - not down (had to manually lower). Turned out to be that the actuators were shot as well. Replaced those and now they work perfectly!

Good luck!

Eric76..

Thanks for your reply....Did you have to take the hood off to get to the actuators? The rod seal seems to go so i may replace that first before I buy new actuators....thanks Eric!

You don't have to remove the hood. The actuators can be removed through the grill. It takes a lot of patience and some time of twisting and turning but they will come out -- like working those ring puzzles.

Tinley73 said: Eric76.. Thanks for your reply....Did you have to take the hood off to get to the actuators? The rod seal seems to go so i may replace that first before I buy new actuators....thanks Eric!

Yes - the hood was off. It's true, that you can do it with it on but if you have the help it makes it much easier with it off.

If it looks like the seals are bad, that could be the source of your problem. Go with that first - it's the less expensive route!

You will also need to check the vacuum switch/relay under/in the passenger side fender. This could be the source of the problem as well as disconnected main vac hose. There are also some small vac hoses that run into the switches in the dash. Ensure that these are all connected properly and that one goes down to the switch/relay in the fender.

There are several sources of diagrams out there, but if you need one I think I can dig one up.

Let me know.

Alex
alex@vettespecialties.com

I just bypassed the vacuum tank ,hooked up a tee fitting and the lights work ok ,now the right one goes up first ,when I connect back to the tank the left one went up first,I think one actuator is leaking air ,when I pressurised the hose ,I could feel air coming out of the 1 actuater, These lights need constant maintanance every one in a while ,you have to lube or replace the small bearings ,most of the parts you can get to lying on your back