06
Prior to installation, grease is applied to the shafts.
White lithium grease was used here, but just about any
type will work.
07
Likewise, the pivot bearings are liberally greased inside
and out. A loss of lubrication led to the untimely demise
of many original headlamp mechanisms in the early days.
Make sure these puppies are well-lubed.08
The pivot
bearings and
bearing sockets are also
greased; and because
there is only one correct
position for the sockets’
attachment, a black
marker is used indicate
the top position for each.
That makes it easy to
determine they’re in the
correct position when
the installer is reaching
under the body to install
it and must look through
the bolt hole in the body
to confirm it.09
Because it’s very easy to nick the painted edges,
the body openings are taped off for protection
prior to the housings’ installation.For those dealing with missing or
incomplete assemblies, all of the necessary
components are available from the
Corvette restoration industry, from the
headlamp doors themselves to the
electric motors, pivot parts and all the
supporting hardware.
All told, the installation soaked up about
three hours and invoked the utterance of
only a handful of four-letter words, which
were aimed mostly at an electric motor
that didn’t want to cooperate. Then again,
the time and cursing involved was nothing
compared to the frustration involved
with chasing the vacuum-related issues
involved with the C3 headlamp system.
Complexity comes with Corvettes, and
this project ranks up there as one of the
most involved, but there are no special
tools or skills required. Just time and an
eye for detail.VETTE^10
The housings simply slide in under the body openings, followed by the seals,
washers, pivot bearings and bearing sockets on the respective shafts.32 VETTE 19.11
[ TECH]