Reconditioning Vintage Headlight Vacuum Actuators

In this video, we show you how to service a vacuum leak on your 1967-1970 mercury cougar (and other cars) headlight actuators using our seal kit, available for purchase at secure.cougarp...
Key words:
Eye lid, grill, grille, head lamp, headlight, head light, door, vacuum motor, vacuum motor, ranchero, torino, cyclone, marquis, thunderbird, lincoln mark iii 3 three, critter creek, hose, check valve, troubleshooting problems, open, close, vacume, eyelid,

[@oacumulador]

Hey Man. Welcome back! Great quality info as always! Thanks. Don't go away again.

[@TazTuz]

Don, I too like to use lithium grease, but when it comes to any rubber components, I prefer to use silicone paste as it doesn't react with rubber boots or any rubber components over time. Silicone paste is also used on brake caliper pins and such as well, and I see that it would make the perfect lubrication/seal for this application! Thank you for the video, and hope you have a Happy New Year!

[@imsecond4094]

What is your favorite year of cougar? Personally mine is the ‘68

[@illianastingray6602]

Where have you been miss your videos!!!!!

[@nirvok3616]

It's taken 13 years but I finally got my cougar a couple months ago and I wish I could bring it in to you guys to get it fixed up but with Covid and whatnot I just can't afford it, plus I'm not entirely sure it can make the drive out to you from SoCal. So these videos help alot to help me do what I can by myself to get this poor thing into better shape.

[@rmee5165]

It's been over a year since any new videos,... would be nice to get some new ones Don.

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We no longer have a videographer working for us, so we probably will not be releasing any more videos.

[@rmee5165]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar anyone can pretty much run a camera... Hey,..if restomod can do it....LOL

[@Merescat]

Another great video! Thanks for the walk-through on this rebuild!

[@stevezee5568]

I’m over the moon that I found this channel and your website. I’ll be contacting you for a pair of Headlight Actuators for my 69 Ford Thunderbird 😊

[@beezowdoodoozoppitybopbopb9488]

Don, post a vid blinking twice if you've been kidnapped

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

🤣We are all fine. Andrew our videographer moved back home to California, so we do not have a videographer currently. So at this point, we don't know if/when we will be posting any more videos.

[@peterpeterson7784]

Did four of these this summer on my 67's. Seemed like it was going to be hard at first but turned into a fun project. Did you change the lighting in your shop or just get a better video camera? You got some fine highlights going.

[@danteanton2506]

Thank you!

[@brucejones7389]

I have a 69 Thunderbird that I think needs these replaced and I believe mine has those Springs what do I put on mine to replace them

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

The kit we have still works on the ones with internal springs, it is just more of a pain to work with the ones with internal springs. We do recommend swapping those out for the ones without the internal spring because of the issues mentioned in the video. We have used ones for sale: secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/Search.aspx?SearchTerms=Headlight%20Door%20Actuator%20Grade%20B&CatID=0. You will want to order the rebuild seal kit with the used ones we sell.

[@RipRoaringGarage]

Didnt know you guys were on youtube. I did a vacuum canister for my Continental, and other than a tiny issue with the shaft (a bit small but resolved), it still works great, and this was maybe 10 years ago. No leaks, works smooth. I knew that the shaft would be an issue going in but nothing a small extension didnt solve (since its always under some kind of pull, either by vacuum or spring)

[@qitaccountabity4328]

Can I send you my 72 lincoln continental 4dr one to test and/or repair?

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We give you all the steps you need to test these. If the lower bellows tests good, you should be able to just replace the top seal we sell here: secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/17051/31132/shaft-sea?sessionthemeid=26

[@trksanhoes]

👍🏿👍🏿

[@1972mercurycougar]

Couple questions Don. What rating would you have given the '73 XR7 Hardtop, Dennis Collins, had on KZbin/B.A.T. Do you believe, there are better hardtops, 71-73, out there yet? That was a Q code, and black interior. Really liked it. Did you like that one?

[@grantiscornholio15]

Don, please tell me something. I have a j code (1968) cougar and after fixing a vacuum leak, the car runs smooth, but it very quiet. We’re the factory mufflers and 2 inch pipes supposed to be pretty hush when the car came out?

[@Justdigit2]

Great video man..... As most of the old stuff it's almost repairable. Do you have the size of the grommets?? I live in Europe so it's harder for me to source parts.

[@Vamsabi]

I just bought my first project car to restore. It’s a 1967 Cougar XR7. I was worried about finding parts for her. Very happy to have found you guys. It’s been very helpful in the process of restoring this beautiful peace of American history. Keep up the great content, looking forward to what’s next

[@camachopocket2933]

Thanks for your information. I know with Covid, and everything times must/may be hard for all of us, but man you channel has really been my escape giving me a todo list of restoring on my car. Before I know it my project will be “complete” just from your content. Please if health and financial permits it, don’t ever stop your channel man. We’re a tight community of cougar owners, and lovers. your gem filled knowledge is hard to find in local mechanics. Take care...

[@unicornwarhammer1926]

Not first

[@alloutofbubblegum8165]

You might try some SIL-GLYDE grease. Napa part# 765-1351. I use that anytime i have to work on window regulators and whatnot. Working temperature is -20 to +500 degrees.

[@peterpeterson7784]

Sil Glyde is also great for making weather striping look like new. Used in on the rubber pieces between the bumpers and body and my vacuum lines on my 67.

[@mikemason4987]

Where'd you guys go??

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We're still here. Our videographer moved out of state and no longer works for us, so we do not have a videographer any longer. At this point, Don is not planning to put out any more videos.

[@DauntlessDefender214]

Hey Don, I hope that this comment finds you well. As a Mustang owner I really do enjoy hanging out with my Cougar cousins. With that said your lack of content has me concerned for you all. Don’t get me wrong, I put your health, well being and business way before videos, I am just concerned is all. Take care 👍

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Hi Bryan, our videographer moved on to a new adventure, so we no longer have a video person to record and edit the videos. Because of this we will likely not be putting out any more videos any time soon.

[@DauntlessDefender214]

@@WestCoastClassicCougar well I’m glad to hear it? 😂 bummer about the videographer but everyone is ok and that’s good. 🤙

[@jacobkrause2251]

Do you think this can be done in the car? Or do you have to take it out? 1968 cougar

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

It might be possible to do it while on the car, but we would highly recommend removing them to avoid accidentally damaging something.

[@michaelruys5021]

Fantastic tutorial. Thanks

[@torinoscj]

Great and informative video Don.

[@abodymody7641]

We need a new video, you guys haven't posted in a long time

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

Our videographer moved to California and took another job, so we probably will not have any more videos, at least not for a while.

[@jrpeet]

Really interesting

[@dansmusiccenter3530]

Hi great video, would this kit work with a 68 Ford XL actuator? Thx!

[@WestCoastClassicCougar]

We only deal with the Mercury Cougar, so we do not know that car well enough to say with any level of certainty.

[@dansmusiccenter3530]

Well I gave it a shot and it worked perfectly… So if anyone has a Galaxie XL or a LTD this kit will save people a lot of money!