kiphughes

My headlights well not open, can it be done manually

drwet

This is a C2 question better posted in the appropriate section, but yes there is a wheel on the side of the headlight motor you turn by had to open and close the doors manually.

62corvette

If you have plenty of time, you can use the little wheel on each side.

USMC 0802

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, you can open them manually..Open the hood, reach in and they'll open right up after you turn the little wheel 400,000 times.

Powershift

And that's for each side..........

Larry

Frankie the Fink

You can almost open the buckets faster by removing the motors.

tuxnharley

It is slow, but no where as bad as these jokers say....
One hand spinning the manual wheel and the other wiggling the headlight bucket, and you can have each side open in less than 5 minutes.

It does seem like forever.....

Frankie the Fink

That is true....

I'm surprised nobody has ever measured the time from thumbing them into position from fully closed to fully open as a lark...

I'm sure as hell not doing it

Vettegeezer

When you actuate the "headlights" rocker switch, can you hear the headlight bucket motors running? If so, have a helper put some force on the buckets while running the motors. If the motor gears are stripped (common), this may coax the gears to a spot where there are still teeth left and allow the mechanism to work. If the motors don't run you will need to check for elec. problems (faulty circuit breaker posib.?).
Phil M.

corvetteed

Welcome to the Forum. Yes, it seems like its 400,000 times, as the movement is very slow. It takes almost 5 minutes to get them up. But, hang in there, and keep turning that little wheel. It does work. Be patient.

jprop

Be very careful sticking your arm down the hood gap. If it falls it'll snap your arm like a twig. Place a bolt through the hole in the hood support.

PeteVS

My '63 sat for MANY years. When I parked it, both headlights functioned properly. I took the body off to do the chassis and could have sat in the the engine bay in an easy chair and done the motors very easily. But, no, I didn't. Got the car all back together and one didn't work. I opened it manually and now, they stay open.

Dbl6gun

I upgraded my car to these..... Detroit Speed's headlight upgrade. One of the best upgrades I installed and my headlights open and close fast and completely in sync.

Frankie the Fink

Detroit Speed modern conversions or the original headlight motors ?

The original headlight motors can be rebuilt easily and good reproduction internal parts are available now. I've done 3-4 pair including my own...

I can post the How-To article here for the originals, or you can search for it..

Dbl6gun

I installed the Detroit Speed modern conversions.... and am very happy with the results!

Frankie the Fink

Uh so did I on my own car and a couple of other sets for pals - I get it...

The DS kit was invented by a forum member BTW...

Not sure that is the question that was asked...however..

babbah

Dbl6gun

Yes, I know what the Op's question was, I added my 2 cents to give him a different option to consider to solve his problem.

Frankie the Fink

Yeah - I get that. You have to swallow hard to fork over that $550 though when you can repair the old motors for like $100 worth of parts and some time. How much night driving do we do anyway ? Had my DS system in, took it out and went original for judging, put it back in for street driving. I think I can put them in nearly blindfolded now.

USMC 0802

I drive in the dark A LOT. I leave for work at 0530 and don't go home until 1900 most nights. I think my headlight motors were rebuilt by my father 15 years ago and they work fine...

When my motors give up I'll consider switching to the DS set up. Either way the hood is coming off to do it. I replaced the wiring harness this fall and it was a PITA. I left face prints on the hood as I worked upside down looking at a mirror LOL.

If I were retired and had the time like Frankie, I guess it wouldn't matter...