My 67's headlights do not open and close. All the original parts are there, there is no noise when I turn the headlights on. I can operate the doors by hand so I guess among the other issues the old plastic gears are stripped out.

Question:
Is there a kit to replace everything OEM style?

Is there a kit that is a better design I should convert to?

I do not want to devalue the car, If I did use a upgraded design I would document the the current setup and save all the original parts. It wouldhave to be a bolt on. I will not cut or bend or drill any of the original parts of the car.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/Freds67b.jpg

 

You can get what you need at www.classicindustries.com. But, I would first try to diagnose the problem before spending money on something you may not need. Your headlight doors are motorized, 68-69 were vacuum operated. If you don't hear any noises when turning on the lights, I would check the motors first. Hotwire the motors and see if they run. If they do, then work your way all the way back to the switch checking for bad connections, broken wires, etc.

 

The original design was not very good, the motors where not very dependable the gears stripped and the relays had about a 3 year life. I don't want to just fix everything that’s not working today just so I can fix the other stuff over the next year. Many of these original systems had motors replaced in the first 12 months. The fact I can move the doors tells me the gears are completely stripped. Relays have not been used in 20 years. I would fear a fire if I could get them to work. I would hope a bolt on kit that looked original but would work for many years are available. Not just an OEM pc part repair.

 

I doubt it very much that the gears are stripped. The head light door mechanism has built in friction discs to allow them to be opened manually if needed. This is a safety feature just in case they fail to open for any reason. The problem could be any ware from the head lamp switch, wiring, relays, limit switches, or electric motors. I would start by checking it out with a voltmeter.