Carbuff2 Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) no longer needed. Old Posting l Edited June 2, 2019 by Carbuff2 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 They have been listed in past issues of the Riview. The 69 Camaro canisters will also fit. The only difference is one of the vacuum nipples is curved vs. straight but once the hose is on you can’t tell the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbuff2 Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 Thank you for your response, the 69 is new to me so I never paid attention to the postings on the Review regarding 1969. Thanks again Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Also available here though expensive. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-1969-Riviera-Eldorado-Headlight-Actuator-Canister-/122319181520?hash=item1c7aca96d0:g:zSAAAOSw6DtYWv0a&vxp=mtr As stated above the '69 Camaro actuators will work and you can find them for less than these. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 (edited) 10 hours ago, Carbuff2 said: stuck with the headlights in the up (off) position Have you switched out your old vacuum hoses for new ones? It's possible you have a vaccum leak somewhere between the firewall distribution block and the headlights. You should also change the engine manifold vacuum to fire wall distro block vacuum hose. Edited October 11, 2017 by NCRiviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbuff2 Posted October 11, 2017 Author Share Posted October 11, 2017 Thank you NC Riviera, by the way, that it is a beauty, mine is Silver Mist with Black interior and Vinyl Top only 88k miles since new. Thanks again. Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 The '68 and '69 vacuum canisters and vacuum headlight systems are identical ! It might be some other component in the vacuum headlight system that is not working, or quite up to par Carbuff2, so don't assume it's the vacuum cannisters. One split hose, vacuum leak, or a single faulty component can render the system useless ! The Shop Manual for both years covers the vacuum headlight system, and the various components quite thoroughly, trouble diagnosis or finding the faulty component(s) can be a P.I.T.A. ! Certain years of GM Corvettes also used the same parts for their vacuum headlights and air vents. . . . good luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Cardinal Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 If you need the complete actuator assembly OR components thereof, I've always used Ames Performance parts. Not sure if these are identical, but here is the Pontiac GTO actuator. This is $69 for the complete assembly. https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/Detail_Web?part_num=B146B&order_number_e=NDQyNTE1OA%3D%3D &web_access=Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 12, 2017 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Unfortunately, the Pontiac GTO actuators are different than the '68 - '69 Riviera type vacuum actuators ! Here is a picture of the '68-'69 Riviera type vacuum actuators. These were probably the last NOS units in captivity that I was fortunate enough to score on 'evilBay' quite a while back. They also fit Cadillac, and were listed under Cadillac parts - huh ? . . . right place, right time, with some spare cash ! . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbuff2 Posted October 13, 2017 Author Share Posted October 13, 2017 So are these for sale or spare parts for a later date? Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 11 hours ago, Carbuff2 said: So are these for sale or spare parts for a later date? I was thinking the same thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 (edited) 22 hours ago, Carbuff2 said: So are these for sale or spare parts for a later date? Paul - and Mike S. Sorry Paul, and Mike, these rare, NOS AC units were installed in my car when I completed my restoration some 30+ years ago ! They replaced my original units that were rusted very badly, and totally non-functioning, and they have performed flawlessly since then. The picture was primarily intended to show what '68/'69 vacuum canisters look like, my apologies for any confusion. The person I bought the NOS AC units from in Florida had a case of 6 NOS units, listed under Cadillac parts and they all sold on 'evilBay' for $45 a pair, many, many moons ago. She was clearing out the garage after her husband had passed away. Obviously, she never really knew the value of these NOS items ! . . . like I said; right place, right time, with some spare US greenbacks. Edited October 13, 2017 by 68RIVGS (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 On 10/12/2017 at 10:44 AM, 68RIVGS said: Here is a picture of the '68-'69 Riviera type vacuum actuators Randy, I installed new rubber boots on my actuators this weekend. They don't include the "seal" at the top. (it appears none for sale do). I have a partial seal left on the driver side actuator from the old boot and someone put a rubber hole grommet in the passenger side actuator boot, which I kept with the new boot (its better than nothing). As a result, the cup part of the top of my actuators have accumulated rust and dirt because the boots don't seal out water and debris. Can you provide a close up photo of the top of a stock actuator boot so I can see what the seal looks like? Is it built into the stock boot or is it a separate rubber sleeve that snaps into the boot top? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 There is no seal at the top of the bellows type boot Mike, the originals were just a tight, slip fit, around the chrome plated, steel shaft of the actuator rod. When the shafts age, they become pitted, or the plating fails and the thin rubber, bellows type, sleeves get chewed up. They should have used stainless steel for the vacuum canister rods, and maybe an 'O' ring to seal the top of the bellows type boot? I use a light oil on the shafts to protect them from dirt and corrosion, and allow the rod to slide freely through the small, slip fit opening in the top of the boot. . . . so far good, and working as designed, but nothing last forever ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 I had both a '68 and a '66 Riviera in the early 1970's. I think the '68 was only three years old when I got it. The vacuum ones didn't work well then. In later years a '66 Toronado I had always got jacked open manually. The '66 hidden headlights were reliable and fascinating to watch. They basically had a power window motor operate them. If I bought another '68 or '69 I would sure be tempted to see what it took to adapt that wonderful '66 system. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68RIVGS Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 The '66-'67 electric types were much more reliable than the vacuum systems in '68-'69s ! Even the optional door locks were vacuum operated with miles of color coded rubber hoses to make them function. One split hose and the entire vacuum system was rendered useless ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonahboo Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 On 10/10/2017 at 9:19 PM, Pat Curran said: They have been listed in past issues of the Riview. The 69 Camaro canisters will also fit. The only difference is one of the vacuum nipples is curved vs. straight but once the hose is on you can’t tell the difference. .....circling back around to this - does this actually work? i did buy them....fiddled with them - then gave up any luck, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 (edited) Specifically what are the problem(s) you are encountering? Please provide details of what work you have done, the parts you used and what is now the problem. My 68 has the repro actuators below the headlights. They work fine. As a precaution, I replaced the firewall vacuum port, the rubber vacuum hose from the intake manifold to the port. I also replaced all of the rubber vacuum hoses for the headlight system from the vacuum reservoir in the driver fender, to the vacuum controller next to the battery to the actuators themselves. My vacuum controller is also a new NOS part. Edited May 28, 2019 by NC1968Riviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonahboo Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 5/28/2019 at 10:33 AM, NC1968Riviera said: Specifically what are the problem(s) you are encountering? Please provide details of what work you have done, the parts you used and what is now the problem. My 68 has the repro actuators below the headlights. They work fine. As a precaution, I replaced the firewall vacuum port, the rubber vacuum hose from the intake manifold to the port. I also replaced all of the rubber vacuum hoses for the headlight system from the vacuum reservoir in the driver fender, to the vacuum controller next to the battery to the actuators themselves. My vacuum controller is also a new NOS part. mine simply do not work, at first i got a little movement but the vacuum actuators move kinda against their will (rust on piston) to get to vacuum distribution in fender, can this be done without "major removal" of wheel well / fender? i should replace all vacuum hose! anyone have a complete vacuum hose diagram? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, jonahboo said: mine simply do not work, at first i got a little movement but the vacuum actuators move kinda against their will (rust on piston) to get to vacuum distribution in fender, can this be done without "major removal" of wheel well / fender? i should replace all vacuum hose! anyone have a complete vacuum hose diagram? thanks Assuming your Riviera is a 1968, you need to invest in a 1968 Buick Chassis manual. If it's a 69, then a 69 Buick Chassis manual. It has all the info you are looking for. It's a must have manual for your car. Edited June 1, 2019 by NC1968Riviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymist69 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 by the way, the Camaro actuators are not a direct replacement at all. First you need to add an extension to the bottom bracket of about an inch or two, then cut off the cast aluminum eye from the new actuator and then weld or epoxy on the threaded clevis connector from your original actuator. Definitely not plug and play. but the price... i need to replace the other original actuator on my 69 but i don't want the hassle of the fabrication but i also don't want the $360 bill for the correct actuator, so for now no disappearing headlight trick for my69. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68KERR Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 I’m having a bit of a problem with my left headlight on my 68 Riv. They both come up and down fine, but when I shut the car off, after 6 seconds the left one slowly starts to slide down. I hate it in the parking lot! When I first got the car I sprayed WD-40 in quite a lot of places - and I’m pretty sure I sprayed the canister. I’ve cut the ends off to make a fresh start around the canister and tee area. My question is- since only one droops down, should I go to the hassle of replacing all vacuum lines? Aren’t they connected to the other light? What size vacuum lines should I buy? Thanks! ps @NC1968Riviera if you still have the firewall port for sale I can take that off your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, 68KERR said: firewall port PM sent Have you replaced all of the vacuum hoses from the engine to the port; port to the vacuum tank; tank to the vacuum actuator (next to the battery); actuator to the canisters? Edited March 7, 2020 by NC1968Riviera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68KERR Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 No I haven’t started to replace the lines. I wasn’t sure how many different sizes there were and how much of each size I’d need. Presuming the auto parts store carries these selections- and I just need to cut a sample off and go from there? Do you remember how much of each you replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 (edited) On 3/7/2020 at 8:33 AM, 68KERR said: Do you remember how much of each you replaced? I replaced all hose except the ones from the light switch to the vacuum controller next to the battery. I took samples to the auto parts store and got about 10' of each that I needed. The chassis manual should have the precise sizes needed. Only replace ONE HOSE AT A TIME! Otherwise, if you remove all of the old hoses at once, you WILL get messed up trying to get the right size hoses on the correct nippkes/fittings. Edited March 8, 2020 by NC1968Riviera (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 I need to get my 68 hideaway lights going also. Has anyone checked these out? A bit pricey at over $500 for a pair with shipping, wonder if they might be worth it. No RoA member rebuilds old actuators? Hehe... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-69-BUICK-RIVIERA-1967-68-CADILLAC-ELDORADO-NEW-HEADLIGHT-VACUUM-ACTUATOR-/114081074398 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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