headlight actuator 70-72

[lyndon sharpton]

how close is the repo actuator to the OEM, on the car can a judge tell that you have a repo. are the service replacment the same as the OEM ones are, NOS.
what have most of you guys done on this, what about sending them out to be rebuilt? are is that way to much for the few points one could lose on the repos?

[Robert C.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

Lyndon, The original actuators have a different tube bend where the hose attaches. This is readily seen by the judges. The points off for the repro may be 20%for configuration deduct to 50% for a service replacement. If you can find someone to rebuild the originals, I would do that.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

yeah I could find someone they just want 5-6 months to rebuild them. I think the new GM would be better, as I have heard the plating does not hold up on the repos.

[Jim T.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

Lyndon replacement seal and boot are available for the headlight actuators. It is not that difficult to replace the seal yourself.

[Joe L.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

Jim and lyndon-----

......and most of the time the seal will solve any functional problem with the units.

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

yeah I thougth about doing them myself an using the eastwood golden cad on them, anyone used the hose kits from the last detail, for a 71 they are 65$ the cheepist I have found. I dont know how they are next to DR rebuild though, I do know that they are not made by Zip.

[Geoff C.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

If TLD had a version other than the Zip part you referenced, I would be surprised, but not shocked. Occasionally I would surreptitiously pay retail for a part from another source, simply to see what they were selling. I can only say I’ve seen a Camaro hose source and those from Virginia. Since this is one of the items that appears to consistently have some sort of B&W illustration, the tip off is that they use the same exact graphic no matter what name has been cut off, removed or added. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, it’s probably the same duck with the same feathers.

Geoffrey Coenen

PS 32nd Annual Mahway Meet this Sunday. I haven’t been in 15 years, but I remember the first through fifteenth. Putting in a new additional garden plot. Looks like the farm may break even this summer if it stays sunny and hot.

[Patrick H.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

You get what you pay for.

Buy the Doc Rebuild ones and you'll be happy about the extra $ you spent to avoid frustration. Even if $40 more, you'll swear at yourself (and the hoses) for not getting the best ones out there. Then you'll decide it's not worth the shipping to send them back, and still have to tolerate installing them.

If you can't afford the best for a car worth 20/30/40k and rising, then you're in the wrong hobby. At least that's my opinion. An extra $40 won't make any difference in 10 years when it comes to your pocketbook, but it might in your long term satisfaction with the car, and I'm not just discussing vacuum hoses. That's not saying you need to be silly and buy $500 radiator caps when a repro exists (though hard to find) that is very close, but I find little benefit in worrying over small amounts when paying for better items.

I hate looking at cars where it's obvious the owner "cheaped out" on most of the items too, but that's another story.

I'll get off my little soapbox now.

Oh, and Eastwood Golden Cad is crappy. Worse than crappy. It looks like someone cheaped out on doing it RIGHT.
And, it will cost you more points than repop actuators.

Patrick

[Joe R.]

Re: headlight actuator 70-72

Patrick is absolutly correct. You get what you pay for and the stuff from TLD is cheap. Buy it and you will be buying from Dr. Rebuild later and paying a higher price for quality products.

JR