C2: choices for mid-year headlight motor parts

[Gary B.]

Can I get some feedback from people who have restored their headlight motors and related supports and bearings with regard to the choices of parts available?

For example, one can buy either original-like brass/steel outer support bearings or one can buy nylon bearings. What are the disadvantages of the nylon bearings? Wear? Regarding the original brass/steel bearings I've read that they can sieze over time. Are we talking 20 or 30 years for this to happen for a car never driven in inclement weather?

Regarding the motor drive gear, is there a more durable choice than the
cast (pot metal?) gear from GM? The GM item is expensive and I've read that the teeth wear out. Does anyone make a higher quality gear?

Finally, can anyone tell me if the steel outer case surrounding the motor guts and armature was plated? I've seen one color photo of a new motor where the outer case looks dichromate plated, but the originals on my 66 look natural (and rusty).

Thanks in advance,

Gary
#28818

[Joe C.]

Re: C2: choices for mid-year headlight motor parts

Gary:

If you have the original steel/brass bearings, it would be wise to clean them up, lightly polish the wear surfaces with 600 grit paper, lube and reuse them. They are obviously subject to minimal abuse under normal use (unless the previous owner enjoyed rotating the headlight buckets repeatedly "just for fun"). They should not sieze if they are even minimally lubricated because of the brass bearing surface, but they might be tight from hardened grease. I cleaned and reused mine, and they are now "as new".

As for the motor case, it is natural steel. I derusted mine and gave them a light coat of satin clearcoat to protect the finish. The brackets are unpainted, natural cast aluminum.

If you still have your original drive gears, reuse them. Again, there is minimal load on these parts.

Purchase a pivot seal kit. It contains new rubber seals, felt washers, and steel retainers. THE KEY IS to keep it all well lubed. After lightly greasing the shafts, saturate the new felts with motor oil (as per the shop manual). The excess will be squeezed out during assembly.

Joe