Toms hideaway headlight motor thread

[DynoDave]

Tom,

I was reviewing the Master Tech Service Training issue on concealed headlamps, and saw this.



See the outlined text in the upper right corner. I guess that means these motors are not as interchangeable as I had thought? The actuating cams are different?

[Deleted]

Dave, that is interesting. I can see where a different cam would effect shut off points of the motor. But I am less sure that the cam has any effect on the total range of the motor. I thought the cam changes were based on the style of the of the limit switches used. Most of the motors that I find are on C bodies. I would have to more or less assume that the one on my car right now is off a C body and it functions perfectly fine.

Really.....if you think about it...the plastic gear (that Topher sells) is what limits the travel of the motor.... the limit switches (which are activated by the plastic cam) cut off the power as the motor approaches its end of travel. If it did not, the motor would would push the gear to its limit of travel.....keep pushing on the gear.....and eventually the gear would strip.

I guess I will have to install those other 5 motors I rebuilt on my Charger to see if this tech article has any real significance.

[DynoDave]

I guess it would be interesting to put an inductive pickup on the power wire to the motor and see if it is shutting off at the end of it's travel in both dirctions. If it is, you're good to go.

[brock]

First off: Nice work Tom

2nd: You wouldn't happen to know the year or date codes
on the different length shafts, would you?

3rd: I'm thinking that late model contacts are a nice 'hidden
upgrade' on the 70-72 version

[Deleted]

Thanks Brock.

I am baffled as to what motors the 2 shorter shafts came out of. They don't seem to be compatible with the rest of the pieces/parts I have on hand. The real short one came out of the 68 motor.

Yes, the later model switch plate is so much easier to deal with. And with less moving parts ( the two small plastic cams) they would seem to be more reliable.

[Deleted]

Did two more motors when I got home from work this evening.
One received one of the excellent new gears from Topher!
As begrudging as I can sometimes be when it comes to complimenting reproduction parts....this one is A#1 awesome!


I was real happy with the two I did tonight. The came out looking and working terrific.

This is the part I really like!

[commando1]

Hi. Newbie here. Joined so that I could jump into this post about headlight doors. I'm involved with all the C-body forums and the 74-78's in particular. As you would expect, headlight motors are a HUMONGOUS issue with us.

I bookmarked the link for the thrust bearings. Thank you (!!!) for that priceless info.

Now about the gears....

Can anyone help me with those, either by selling them or providing info to who sells them?

OR (lol) if you want to hold onto your proprietary information and I can't blame you, does anyone sell/rebuild these bad boys or even a rebuild kit. I saw a NOS rebuild kit on eaby that you needed a 2nd mortgage for and it wasn't even Mitchell's.

You'll have just about every New Yorker guy kissing you on all four cheeks. for your help. us being the oddballs makes us usually pretty resourceful but this headlight motor situation has been a real stumbling block. We've pretty much picked the yards clean of working motors.

Thanks,
-Stan

[Deleted]

Stan, Topher sells the gears and restores the motors.

headlightmotorman.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

[commando1]

Aug 21, 2011 17:18:00 GMT -5 @tom said:

Stan, Topher sells the gears and restores the motors.

headlightmotorman.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

Thanks. Actually I found him yesterday and paypalled him. He reponded within an hr and will send it out today.
Hows that for service?!?!
Great guy.
Thanks
-Stan

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 10:17:39 GMT -5 commando1 said:

Aug 21, 2011 17:18:00 GMT -5 @tom said:

Stan, Topher sells the gears and restores the motors.

headlightmotorman.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

Thanks. Actually I found him yesterday and paypalled him. He reponded within an hr and will send it out today.
Hows that for service?!?!
Great guy.
Thanks
-Stan

Talked with him for quite awhile at Carlisle. Seems like a stand up gentleman.