C2 Headlight Motor Reassembly

[Tim E.]

Thanks to discussion threads in the archives and the Restorer CD, I've been able to disassemble and rebuild my thoroughly seized 1966 headlight motors. They bench test great. I used white lithium grease in the gear case plus a light film on the armature shaft to lubricate the bronze bushings. It's the lubricant for the bronze bushings that I could never find in the articles and discussion threads.

Should the armature shaft be lubed with a light film of lithium grease (like I did), should it be an oil (like an all-in-one oil), or nothing at all? Thanks...again!

Now, if I can only find a supplier for the power antenna mast and drive cable assembly!!

[George C.]

Re: C2 Headlight Motor Reassembly

Tim,
Check the archives on this. I did my motors last year and then posted the same question you just did. The end result was I took them apart cleaned off all that nice new white lithium grease and redid them with a synthetic wheel bearing grease. As I recall the input from the guys who know, is that the lithium grease dries up and hardens over time.

Good luck,

George

[Tim E.]

Re: C2 Headlight Motor Reassembly

Thanks George, I went back and reviewed discussion threads 79417 and 79580 from April, 2003. Those two threads were invaluable to me since the bronze ball bushings on both my motors were seized solid. I appreciate you paving the way! I was able to free up one armature shaft but the bushing on the other popped out. If anyone in the future needs a diagram or photo of the tool I invented to reinstall the bushing, just send an email.

There's a recommendation in those discussion threads to use white lithium grease (lighter weight for small gear cases) instead of wheel bearing grease (thick grease for heavy loads and high temperature). There's also mention of lithium grease drying out in 10-15 years and to expect the need to repack the gears again later down the road. I'll bet that's the part you remember.

Thanks for helping me get this figured out...Tim