C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

[George C.]

I have the headlight assemblies out for cleaning painting etc and I have one lazy, slow, headlight motor. Can anyone provide me information about rebuilding these motors? Where can you find brushes, bushings or bearings, and any other internals that might need to be changed. If this is something I should leave to a professional do you have any suggestions close to Charlotte NC?

Thanks,

George 36809

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

George - Steve Hack at Eastern Corvettes (Ohio) does great work, and they will look as good as new. He charges $135 per motor, including new GM gears. Frequently the rear bearing will seize to the armature shaft, and the spherical ball will rotate in the bearing support. He is adept at getting these apart without damaging the unit. I took a class from him at Bloomington on this, and have done it myself, but he also replates the screws etc. The brushes will not need replacement, they wear forever, as do the bearings. The large gear in the case is freqently worn or stripped, and this is the gear that gets replaced. He will also time the two motors to operate at the same speed. I don't have his contact information handy here, but if you search on his name in the archives I left his contact inforation before within the past 2 months. I believe there is another reputable restorer named Steve Hackell (similar name) in the Chicago area. Steve Hack gave me 1.5 week turnaround on my 67 motors, and he is a great guy to work with...Craig

[David Hicks]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Check ebay. There was a listing recently from a company offering HL motor rebuilds for $95.00. Don't know if it's still there. Think they guarenteed.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Before you condemn the motors, take a look at the gearbox. It's common for the worm gear threads to be distorted by the steel worm on the armature shaft resulting in slow operation. The gear can be replaced or rotated 180 degrees to expose new, unused threads. This along with a good cleaning and re-greasing can do wonders.

Detailed informantion is in your '63 Corvette Shop Manual.

Duke

[Donald O.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

I think the best is

Steve Hackel
15000 S Knox Ave.
Midlothian, IL 60445
708-687-4183

He did mine and they are flawless and speed matched

Don

[George C.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Craig, David, Donald,

Thank you all, I now have suggestions for rebuilders who have satisfied your needs.

George,

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[George C.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Duke,

Thanks for the information. I had looked in the shop manual and didn't see any detail on the motors, but I am headed back to read it all again. I was hoping it might be something I could do myself. I can always resort to the professionals if I don't find some obvious dirt grime and worn gears. You should see how dry and nasty the pivot balls looked, I am surprised they moved atr all.

Thanks again Duke.

George

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[Michael H.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Hey George -

Even perfectly working headlight buckets won't rotate at exactly the same speed. The bucket farthest from the battery in wirelength has more electrical resistance, thus delivering a little less voltage.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

-------All the info above is good so let me just add a footnote.When looking at the motor you will notice a screw and locknut arrangement on top.This is how you adjust the speed that the motors turn.You can set up a bench test with some wires,alligator clips,and a 12 volt battery.Test them yourself out of the car.No big whoop!..........Bill S

[George C.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Bill,

Great tip. I haven't started taking the motors apart yet, but I do admit I was wondering what that adjustment was for. Do you happen to know where I can find any detailed information about taking the motors apart?

Thanks again,

George

[George C.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Duke,
I have been through section 12 of the service manual and can't find any detailed information about the headlight motors themselves. Am I looking in the wrong place?

Thanks,

George

[George C.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

Mike,

Thanks, that makes sense. I am actually talking about a major difference in time. Been apart for awhile, but I am thinking 5 - 6 seconds slower on the right side.

Thank you,

george

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

George, I may have inadertantly mislead you. The shop manual has a good secion on the gearbox and bucket mounting, but doesn't have an overhaul procedure for the motors themselves. I don't think Chevrolet considered them to be a serviceable item and only sold complete replacments.

Notwithstanding the above, since the motors see very little "on" time, I don't think they wear out. The vast majority of the problems with headlight buckets are focused on the grearbox and bucket bearings. I replaced one or two of the worm gears on my SWC in it's first life and only cleaned and regreased the gearboxes as part of the restoration. Other than cleaning the outside of the motors and verifying their operation on the bench, I left them alone. If one ever does fail, they are easy to remove.

If you do suspect that you have a motor problem, seeking out a reference to an experienced expert is the best bet, but I don't know of anyone off the top of my head.

Duke

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

George,

------Im figuring that you know that you need to service the soft gear and clean up the gear housing and apply new grease before adjusting the speed.You have a significant speed variance and there is something wrong in there.You may need the electric part done by a professional,but I doubt it.......Bill S

[Donald O.]

Re: C2 1965 Headlight Motor Rebuild

George,
I highly recommend getting both done at the same time. Otherwise the repaired slow one, now fast will way faster than the former fast one.
Don