65 corvette headlight motor restoration

[John S.]

I wonder what is the best grease to use on the gears when restoring the headlight motors etc. on my 65 corvette coupe. I was going to use a white lithium grease but thought I would check first.

[Michael M.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

John, That is what I used in mine. But it was the first once I had ever done. Joe Ray and others on here have done many and might have better advice that I. But mine works fine. Mike

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Since my name has been used I'll comment on the lube. I have used th white lithium along with many others. In this situation you cannot choose a lubricant that will not exceed the pressure rating needed for the headlight gearbox. Unless you are a total idiot and use 30 weight!

I use synthetic bearing grease. The same that is used in the disc brake bearings. Why? Because it will exceed ANY spec needed and it will stay in place (unlike 30 weight). Also it won't harden into a wax like substance like the old grease used in the 50's-60's era.

JR

[James W.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

I wonder what is the best grease to use on the gears when restoring the headlight motors etc. on my 65 corvette coupe. I was going to use a white lithium grease but thought I would check first.

John,

I've done several C2 headlight motor rebuilds/restorations for guys here in my area and have alway used white lithium grease with no problems. Enjoy doing the work yourself, they really aren't hard to do as long as you take your time and remember where the parts go.


Best Regards,

James West
Omaha, NE.

[Steven L.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Thanks for the photos James they help, I did have one more question. Do you use the same grease on the pivot ball and felt area if so how much do you put on those pieces.

[James W.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Steve,

I'd use the white grease or the synthetic bearing grease as Joe has mentioned for the pivot balls. My preference for the synthetic bearing grease is Mobil 1.


Regards,

James West

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

James,

Nice job of doing the motors and the touch you have used by using the original (white) pivot bearing and the bracket screw with the serated lock washer and (L) on the screw. All the judges on the C1's should follow your lead and check for those items. That slotted screw in the first picture could have shorted out the windings and cost the owner a lot of bucks getting the field coil rewound!
Great service to the NCRS guys in your area!

JR

[James W.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Steve,

I just sent you an email complete with my instructions on how I clean and refinish the headlight motor frame complete with pictures, products used and part numbers. I think I may take it one step further and write an article for the Restorer Magazine. I co-authored an article over a year ago about the differences between C2 Corvette coupe and convertible luggage racks and it still hasn't been published.

Regards,

James West

[Vinnie P.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Steve,

I just sent you an email complete with my instructions on how I clean and refinish the headlight motor frame complete with pictures, products used and part numbers. I think I may take it one step further and write an article for the Restorer Magazine. I co-authored an article over a year ago about the differences between C2 Corvette coupe and convertible luggage racks and it still hasn't been published.

Regards,

James West

James...The article you co-authored with John Mattson and David Devine is getting close to the top of the queue...I publish articles in the order received with very few exceptions...I responded to John (who submitted the article) saying I was running at least four issues out when he submitted the article...and in reality, I already had an issue done, so it's more like 6 or 7 issues now as the summer 2014 issue will be a very special 40th anniversary edition...please be patient...and YES...I would welcome your submission so all 15,700+ members can benefit and not just the 300 or so that use the TDB each day.

[Michael J.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

One of our chapter sessions involved doing this, and the trick of putting #10 lock washers on the four screws that hold the halves together. Reduces binding up on the pre-load of the gears and smooths them out.

[James W.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Vinnie,

Thank you for the update. I am being patient and pleased to hear that it will be published.


Thanks,

James West

James...The article you co-authored with John Mattson and David Devine is getting close to the top of the queue...I publish articles in the order received with very few exceptions...I responded to John (who submitted the article) saying I was running at least four issues out when he submitted the article...and in reality, I already had an issue done, so it's more like 6 or 7 issues now as the summer 2014 issue will be a very special 40th anniversary edition...please be patient...and YES...I would welcome your submission so all 15,700+ members can benefit and not just the 300 or so that use the TDB each day.

[James S.]

Re: 65 corvette headlight motor restoration

Is there somewhere I can read this article or have it emailed?