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Headlight Motor Issue

garvinogarvinoMember
Just as soon as I thought I had all my gremlins taken care of my headlight motor died.

After reading through a few threads I found numerous people mention that the window motor was the same as the headlight motor. I thought this was good news as I have a spare window motor that still functions after I performed the Ford Taurus window conversion.

This evening I performed the tedious task of removing the headlight motor and regulator. However, once I had the headlight motor out I noticed that it is not exactly the same as my window motor. I have attached a picture of the two next to each other.

The shafts appear the same diameter and length. I am concerned that the window motor may not withstand the exterior elements as well. Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Devin

P.S. BTW has anyone developed or come up with a better motor replacement than a $175+ stock motor? I read a thread from a couple years ago where Scott from SACC Restortions was looking at possibly designing a better headlight raising mechanism but don't see anything on his website.

Also since I am this far into this project would you recommend changing the bushings on the headlight bar shaft? My car has about 22,000 miles on it. Thanks again.

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tsolotsoloMember
Devin,

I used one of my window motors. It works fine. I did make a motor from a newer Ford motor but I took it out when I was tracing out headlight gremlins of my own. It took half a day on the lathe and mill to make it work. I might put it back in some day but what a PIA to do! I had the same motor as your original that seized.

Steve
garvinogarvinoMember
The gray motor is my window motor. The black motor is the headlight motor I pulled last night. I do not believe the headlight motor was ever replaced (but it sure could have been) since my car was originally taken apart in 1981 and sat in pieces until I bought in 2008. But who knows.

Any thoughts on replacing the bushings?

Devin
R robbieMember
I recently replaced the light raising gear and my motor was like the gray one. I'm #3518 a pre-L 72. Pretty sure it is the same as the window motor. BTW .. both of those motors look pretty beaten up. Given the pain required to replace them, you might just bite the bullet and get a new one as well as a bronze gear if you haven't already.
P 72panterasteveMember
I went to an electrical supply place and bought a universal 12v reversible motor. Cheap. The only difference was the shaft was about an inch too long. So I cut it. The mounting studs were exactly the same. The diameter was a bit bigger but it fit fine and seems to have more power. I used them now in both power windows as well. The factory rubber connector also fit perfect.
Steve
bosswrenchbosswrenchMember
To answer the Q-2, some 8 yrs ago one Pantera owner in Norway replaced the entire mechanism including the cross-car headlight bar with Miata headlight parts. Porsche 914 mechanisms are similar. It would be easier if maybe more expensive to use an electric linear actuator to a lever replacing the sector gear and also do away with the motor & gearbox. Street rod guys use linear actuators to open heavy steel hoods & decklids. If you do this, post some photos.

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