C3 headlight/vacuum question

[rick spears]

i just finished putting my 73coupe back together after frame off restoration. during this process, i rebuilt the actuators on my headlights, and replaced all of the vacuum hoses. the headlights work, but very slow to come up or go down. each time i get the same results.....the right one slowly comes up and locks in place then the left. as they go down, it is the same, but in reverse...the left one goes down slowly, then the right. my question concerns a cam change. could this higher performance cam lack the vacuum production needed to actuate the headlights properly? the cam i used is NOT a radical/loping type cam. prob equalvalent to about a 350/300hp cam......if this isn't the problem, where would be the next place to look? the relays? thanks, rick

[William C.]

Re: C3 headlight/vacuum question

I would not worry about the cam at first, as the eystem should run off the reserve in the system. My '72 was able to sit with the engine off for 20-30 minutes and the headlamps would snap up or down when activated. I would check the one-way valves in the systen and see if they are working properly and installed in the correct orientation for starters, then check the actual measured vacuum you are getting at the actuator.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 headlight/vacuum question

Rick when you rebuilt the actuators you must of only put a new seal in the shaft side of the actuator. The actuator could be leaking vacuum on the inside. You can perform a leak down test with a hand held vacuum tool. A lot of money can be spend buying new actuators, relay valves, and check valves to put the sytem back in operation to where it will hold vacuum to actually open the headlights the next day without starting the car. When my 70 was new it would do this.

[rick spears]

Re: C3 headlight/vacuum question

i did install a new filter and check valve in the system.....i believe that is the only one way valve right? i assume the filter goes in either way.....?

[Jack H.]

Check valve is directional, filter isn't... *NM*

[Wayne W.]

Re: C3 headlight/vacuum question

WOW, The next day, you say! Yer, must a been running er a little late, say around midnight?