C2: Removing '66 headlight pivots & buckets

[Gary B.]

Hi,

Can someone give me any tips for removing the headlight pivots/supports and buckets on my '66? I've removed the headlight motors and the bezels & lamps from the front side. How does one get at the 3 bolts (x 4) that are tucked in between the bucket and the inner and outer end support assemblies? Also, how does one get the wires out of the central hole in the outer pivot? It seems like the connectors on both sides are larger than the hole.

Thanks,

Gary

[Gary Schisler]

Re: C2: Removing '66 headlight pivots & buckets

Gary, from memory that is at least four years old: after the motor and wiring is removed/disconnected, the bucket should rotate freely. I also recall that the "Y" bracket on the inside had to be either removed or loosened to permit free rotation. This Y is the one that has the stop bolts for the up and down motion. By positioning the headlight bucket up or down, I was able to access the screws that hold the pivot. As I remember, I had to rotate the bucket to a different angle to access each of the bolts. I wound up using a 1/4" drive with a six inch extension to reach the area. It wasn't a technically difficult part to work on, just a bit hard on the back and arms.
Gary

[Gary B.]

C2: Y-stop & wire;

Gary,

Now that you mention it, I think loosening the Y-stop is the tip I need.

Also, another person told me to unplug individual wire leads for the larger connector in order to get the wires through the outer pivot.

Thanks to both of you for your help,

Gary

[Gary Schisler]

Re: C2: Y-stop & wire;

Gary, sorry for the really vague comments but the other thing that came to mind is that removing the hood makes a WORLD of difference. It takes me a few minutes to mark and remove the hood. The amount of time saved is huge. This allows visual inspection of attachment of the various pieces.
Gary

[Gary B.]

Hood's gone; engine's gone; Thanks. *NM*

[John Lokay]

Re: C2: Removing '66 headlight pivots & buckets

Could someone tell me how to remove the headlight motors without having to remove the hood? My buckets are turning more and more slowly and I think its time for the motors to be rebuilt. Also, who do you recommend I should use for the rebuild? Thanks

[Donald O.]

Re: C2: Removing '66 headlight pivots & buckets

John,

The best Iv'e seen is:

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

He did mine and they are perfect, in operation and appearance.

Don

[Gary B.]

C2: Headlight motor restoration; who is best?

Don,

How much did Restoration Service (Steve Hackel) charge to restore your headlight motors? How were the bare steel cases restored? Mine have surface rust and I can't imaging how they can be made to look new again without altering the surface in a non-factory way.

Finally, has anyone had mid-year headlight motors restored by Corvette Specialties of Maryland? They advertise in the Driveline as providing this service, and I've heard good things about most of their other restoration work.

Gary

[Donald O.]

Re: C2: Headlight motor restoration; who is best?

Gary,
I promised Steve that I would reveal the price I paid, the discount was that substantial. Call him for his current charges. He is one of only 2 or 3 places/people that actually do the restoration work. He does a lot of work for the various parts vendors. He even had a 67 RH core for my 67 that had a 10-62 dated RH unit. He rebuilt/restored them both and tested them...Cleaned, painted, new gears, lubed, new ground attaching screws...while I was there.... waiting.
Don

[Stephen G.]

Re: C2: Headlight motor restoration; who is best?

Gary;

I've used Corvette Specialties of MD and they did an outstanding job. They cut off the end of the case and installed a new bearing and bearing retainer. The motor now runs identical RPM in both directions and is smooth as silk. It also looks great as well.

Steve

[John Raggio]

Re: C2: Headlight motor restoration; who is best?

I used Corvette Specialties for my gauge cluster, wiper motor,
and headlight motor and was very pleased with their work.
When I needed to call them for questions about the work,
they were very pleasant and informative.