Linear actuator headlights

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Otto Skorzeny
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Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
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Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:58 am

That's good that the canisters are there. I'd try to put everything back together correctly, first and then if they don't work, figure out why. At that point it might be worthwhile to look into installing electric rams in place of the vacuum parts.

How does the vacuum tank look that was in the back seat? See if you can blow into it and if it holds air.

Get the manual, first. The answers to all lifes's questions are in the manual.

Gravee01
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Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:16 am
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Years Owned: 1966 toronado

Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Gravee01 » Wed Feb 20, 2019 2:26 pm

I’ll make sure to buy the manual, the tank itself looked fine there were no holes or rust. I’ll go check to see if it holds air.

Willysnut1959
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Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Willysnut1959 » Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:28 pm

Here is the gist of the previous post regarding use of linear actuators.

"I have discovered a great solution for a failed headlamp door vacuum system on the 68-69 Toronado. The product listed below is almost a direct fit replacement for the stock vacuum actuator. I left all of the other original vacuum components in place during the restoration process. I have attached a picture of the installed unit. The only modification necessary is to slightly enlarge the mounting hole on the lower bracket so the actuator mounting shaft will pass through. You will also have to mount a DPDT switch under the instrument panel that can be reached easily to reverse 12VDC to power the actuator. I am not familiar with the dual 66-67 configuration, but AEI probably has a unit with the correct stroke that would fit in that application also.

Product ID: 302.120_6103T
Description: 3" Linear Actuator with Preset Limit Switch "IP65 Rated"
Price: $105.00
Web Site: http://www.aeicomp.com/ "

Hwy78Cruiser
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Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Hwy78Cruiser » Sun Dec 01, 2019 8:47 am

Willysnut1959; you refer to pictures, can you please steer me to them? I apologize if it's right in front of me, this forum is hard for me to navigate.

Willysnut1959
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Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Willysnut1959 » Mon Dec 02, 2019 9:49 am

Attached are photos of a linear actuator replacing the original vacuum headlight actuators. This was taken from the original posting.
Marty, St. Louis
Attachments
Liner actuator.jpg
Liner actuator.jpg (51.22 KiB) Viewed 11644 times
Headlight linear actuator.jpg
Headlight linear actuator.jpg (179.78 KiB) Viewed 11644 times

bcroe
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Years Owned: 79 Toronado or Eldorado

Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby bcroe » Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:40 pm

That looks like a common item for moving things like antennas. Probably 20
times as powerful as the job requires. I suggest checking what Surplus Center
has, you might find a real bargain there as I often have. Bruce Roe

Hwy78Cruiser
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Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2018 11:23 am
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Years Owned: 1966

Re: Linear actuator headlights

Postby Hwy78Cruiser » Mon Apr 06, 2020 11:31 am

I have put together a description, with pics and part numbers, of my conversion of vacuum to electric linear actuators for the headlamps. It was not a hard conversion. Please contact me if you have any questions. The file is a PDF which apparently this site can't utilize, so please email me and I will send it to you:

maweitz64@gmail.com


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