Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

[Jamie F.]

Does anyone know of a source to restore original vacuum relays and actuators for '69 wipers and headlights?
They all still work but the plating is faded away and they look tired.
I replaced the relays with repros for Flight judging, but of course they got a couple points off for being obvious repros.
And I left my original actuators in place and they got a couple points off for condition.
I would like to get my originals restored.
How about doing it myself?
Is there a process to disassembling the metal can parts to have them replated?
What about the seals and diaphrams inside?
Any info appreciated.
Thanks!

[Dennis S.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

I sent my headlamp actuators to Bob Demmel in Plano, TX

rjdemmel@tx.rr.com

Bob was recomended on this board. He disassembles them, sends them out for dichromate replating, then reassembles with new seals, dust boots and shoulder nuts.

Don't know if he does the wiper door actuator or the vacuum relays

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

James:
Caledonia Classic Cars in Belding, MI restores both the actuators and the relays. Their catalogue lists the cost for an actuator at $180 and the vacume relay at $163. I saw them at Carlisle and the parts looked nice. This can be done yourself if you have the plating equipment. I recently restored one using the Caswell product and it came out great. I will post a picture tomorrow to show you what can be done at home.
Jeff

[Jamie F.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Thanks Dennis and Jeff.
I would be very interested Jeff to learn the disassembly procedures for both these parts. It looks like when they were made disassembly was not a thought, and wouldn't want to ruin them taking them apart.

[Steve L.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Someone on one of the other forums showed, with pictures, on how to do this. It was either CF or DC

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Jamir:
Attached is a photo of the valve I recently replated. The only thing I removed was the mounting bracket which is held to the valve body by 3 tabs bent around the plastic. The tabs can be carefully unbent enough to get it off. When I plated,I plugged the tube leading to the can with a rubber tip from an old toothbrush and sealed the plastic ports with rubber vacuum plugs so that the solution did not get inside the valve. I don't know of any way to uncrimp the top portion of this valve or the actuator. Hope this is useful.
Jeff

[Pat M.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Jamir: I don't know of any way to uncrimp the top portion of this valve or the actuator. Jeff

I've uncrimped many of the rings on these relays simply using a screwdriver, and then recrimped the ring and original top on a new relay body. See this thread for the results:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...65245&uid=3950

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Pat:
When you opened up the valve was it because it did not work and you needed to rebuild it or because you just wanted to re plate the metal? If it needed to be rebuilt, where did you get the parts? From a new service replacement? Thanks for pointing out that it is possible to open them up and, more importantly, to put it back together without ruining the crimped edge.
Jeff

[Jamie F.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Jeff,
Your relay looks great. Thanks for the pic and the tip.
Pat great idea to swap covers with a new one, especially if the original is not working right.

[Pat M.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Jeff, a few years ago I was going to buy a restored original for judging. Then, a service replacement on my car failed and I decided to see how it worked so I opened it up. The process and the relay were so simple I realized that I could simply switch tops.

I think repop relays have subtle differences, but new GM relay bodies look exactly the same as the originals. That being the case, I saw little reason to try to rebuild the original body, although I'm sure you could with the parts from the new relay.

The pried up side of the ring is somewhat damaged in the process with little "folds" from the screwdriver, but when that side is placed face down on the relay it can't be seen when installed. Mine passed judging without comment or deduction.

I'm sure someone inventive could create a cresent-shaped tool to pry open one half of the ring at a time, making it easier and resulting in almost no damage to the ring. I'm just not quite that inventive.

[Alan S.]

Re: Vacuum Relays & Actuators Restore???

Hi Jeff and Pat,
Jeff... the replated relay looks VERY good to me!
Pat... thanks for all the info, it makes me think I need to try to re-do my originals.
Regards,
Alan