Headlights

[Nigel curry]

Hi all
i am about to do some work on my 76 coupe that requires the headlights to remain up for a while obviously with the ignition off,now I have seen a video whereby an American chap crawls under the front of the car and pushes the headlight mechanism thus raising the headlight.Can this be done without disconnecting anything as my simple brain registers that as easy peasy,any thoughts please
regards nige

 

[johng]

Yes that can be done

 

[CaptainK]

Sure can yes. I was doing something similar when I was converting my original vacuum headlights to electric motors. The springs will resist you, but after a point near the end the headlights will lock into position and stay up, you'll feel it when it does - I think its a safety thing to stop the lights going back down when you have no vacuum or something. Granted I had the vacuum lines off at the time, but I'm guessing the same is true with the lines still on - the vacuum switches need vacuum to pull it either way, and engine off shouldn't be much.

 

[Nigel curry]

Sounds good to me
thanks guys

 

[Chuffer]

Hi all
i am about to do some work on my 76 coupe that requires the headlights to remain up for a while obviously with the ignition off,now I have seen a video whereby an American chap crawls under the front of the car and pushes the headlight mechanism thus raising the headlight.Can this be done without disconnecting anything as my simple brain registers that as easy peasy,any thoughts please
regards nige

Not sure if the 76 MY has the same by pass as valve as the 1980 model . My 1980 has a small black plastic release valve with two small bore vacuum pipes attached to it . It is mounted on lower edge of dashboard panel just below the steering column . You run the engine to create vacuum and raise head lights , pull the little plunger on the valve that destroys the vacuum in the system , then switch off engine . Hey presto ! Head lights stay up to allow bulb changes , cleaning lens etc . Push plunger in to close valve , start engine to create vacuum in system then close head lights using the multifunctional headlight switch in the usual way .