Hello, I'm trying to refurbish a frozen set of actuators for a 69 Riviera. I have freed them up enough to move up and down through the stroke, but there is no way vacuum pressure will move them. Is there a way to disassemble the unit or should I search for new ones? I have fed spray lube into the upper and lower vac ports to try to "scrub" the walls down, but I don't seem to be making much progress. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Gil Bourcier Frederick, MD USA 68 GS400 4spd. Conv. 69 Riviera GS
Hi, Gil. I would just get new ones from www.yearone.com Search under Camaro RS 68-69. (They are not that expensive). The Camaro type can be easily modified using the following link. http://www.f1337.info/headlight_motors (Yearone also have new vacuum rele and a hose kit that can be used). Per. :beer
vacuum headlight actuators It would be helpful if you put the actual part number of URL to the actual Camaro actuator that can be modified to work with on the Riv. Has anyone ever tried small electric actuators to open/close the lights?
Hi Jim. Part # & price. RU680 Vacuum actuator motor, 1968-1969 models, reproduction. $93.00 Search on Keyword "vacuum", than scroll down to: Front End : Rally Sport Head Light Vacuum Parts. In addition to the actuators, I have also used the vacuum rele the and hose kit on my 68 Riv, working perfect with minor adjustments. I understand that the 66 & 67 used electric motors for the head lights. Have no idea why Buick changed to vacuum on the 68 & 69. It might involve some work & $ to modi. Per. :beer
headlights Per, I'm late to this discussion. Appreciate the info on the camero vacuum actuators. Link to the how to alter them doesn't work. Do you have an update??? Or a copy?? You note a hose kit that you've used. Is this a vacuum hose kit?? Do you have a number? I'm just getting going on the vacuum problems on my '68 GS. Nothing vacuum works. I did get a new vacuum manifold, but haven't installed it yet. I did test my headlight actuators with a pump - they're shot. Any further leads appreciated. Bob
68/69 Vacumm lites The vacumm systems in the 68/69 Rivs can be a real 'PITA' ! :af: Finding good working 'used' cannisters is almost impossible, and almost as expensive as the repro units fron GM Obsolete ! Make sure ALL the components in the system are working properly and invest in new hoses as well - one small vacumm leak can render the entire system useless. o No: The info in the Shop Manuals is quite detailed and outlines the complete set up ! :beer :TU:
$600 for 2 canisters is flat out robbery. Buy the Camaro ones and have them modified. Once you figure out what has to be done any welder can do it for cheap. I can't see it costing $200 per canister to get to work. I think the rod has to be lengthened is all. Some sort of collar or coupling with threaded rod should work.
Dont overlook the fact that the reserve tank under the drivers fender can leak from the seam. The one in my 68 started leaking from there years ago
Hi all, and belated congrats to all you Yanks on your independent day. Try the link below, or the YO part # under. http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/fbshopmain2.asp?cat=8 First go to: 67-81 Camaro, Body, Rally Sport Headlight Vacuum Parts. FM104 Vacuum relay valve, 1968-1969 models. $97.00 JQ299A Vacuum actuator boot, 1969 models. $8.60 JQ498 Vacuum check valve, 1969 models. $14.00 JQ574 Vacuum hose filter, 1969 models. $5.30 RU1012 Headlight vacuum tubing kit, 1968 models. $90.00 RU1014 Headlight vacuum tubing kit, 1969 models. $90.00 RU680 Vacuum actuator motor, 1968-1969 models. $97.00 RU680P Vacuum actuator motor pair, 1968-1969 models. $182.00 I used the canisters, the relay & the tubing kit. (I also ordered the vacuum tank, as I did not know where the original was hidden ou:. I never used it, but I am sure it would work if needed). The relay & tubing kit was pretty straight forward. Only some small differences, however, the canisters had to be modified as follows: 1/. The Camaro canister have a 90 degree bend on the lower inlet. That has to be cut to point straight down in order to clear the bumper. (Don't try to bend it, it will break, (I know ). 2/. As for lenghtening the rod, I removed the aluminium attachment on the new Camaro canisters. (As fare as I remember they where secured with a steel pin from the side). I than measured the lenght of both the old & new canisters fully extended, cut of the required lenght on the old ones and welded this piece on the new ones. No problems. Good luck, Per. :beer :beer
Riv Headlights Thanks for all of the Riviera headlight info. It's sure helpful. :beer Bob Jones '58 Buick Super '68 Riviera GS ROA 10473
Don't worry mate. This is the best car site have ever seen, all members are friendly and helpfull. Without these guys, my Riviera would never been even close to what it is today. Not show condition, but the only 68 Riviera in Lebanon & the most sexy car around. I just love it. Take care of yours, and enjoy it. Anyway, are getting a bit p..sed off, you guys are having all this meetings & I can't be there :ball: :ball: Per. :beer :beer
These are for sale on E-bay now. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968...1QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10076QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Per. :beer :beer
The URL to my pics of the two different headlight motors has changed, so if anybody wants to take a look it's in my .sig now I also added a link to a vendor and their part# for these....
headlight actuators I posted some info on this a couple of weeks ago but no one responded that I know of. Go to Detroit speed. com these are camero units but I would bet that they can be made to work on a Riv and they are all electric. Contact them at 704-662-3272 There is a write up in pop hot rod, sept edition, page110.
Vacumm Headlight Actuators I managed to score a couple of NOS units on good ole evilBay ! :TU: Paid a bundle for them, but less than the repro units, and no mods needed. Here is the auction - they were listed as Cadillac parts, and the seller had 6 available - too bad I got the expensive ones ! I've seen good 'used' units go for the same amount though. ou:
NOS Actuators A little more than what I wanted to pay for them Bjorn - but the other 4 units went for $45 US each. :shock: :eek2: . . . now that was a bargain ! :beer :TU:
I know this is an old thread, and it has been referenced many times over the years. I recently reread this information to find that the link providing an outline of the referenced "simple mod" for the Year One canisters was no longer working!! I sent a PM to Bjorn, "Northernriviera", and he still had the info archived on his computer and graciously updated the link found in his signature. Thank you, Bjorn :TU: Would the moderators find this info worthy to archive or make as a sticky for the rest of us 68-69 Riv guys?
