Superbird headlight springs and vacuum switch questions

[chaaargerb]

Hi everyone.
I have some questions about the headlight springs and vacuum switch on the birds.
I'm finishing up my dash assy. and was checking the vacuum switch for the gauge pack.

I have tested 3 of the ones I have. The original an NOS one and a reproduction one. When I put vacuum to all 3 of them they only hold vacuum for between 3 to 5 seconds. I'm going the have to assume the is normal.

If it is how long should the headlights stay down when the car is shut off if the rest of the system is sealed properly?
When I go to the car shows almost all the birds headlights are down.

I know they use a set of springs to help the headlights stay steady at low idle and I know that sooner or later the lights will go up when the vacuum is off.

Do most of you guys disconnect the springs or are they adjustable to keep the pressure off when not running?

Any input would be great!

[oldcarnut]

I can't offer any help on the vacuum part as mine are electric but I was under the impression the springs we're there to allow the headlights to come up and hold as a safety feature. Could be wrong but I haven't heard about the part to keep steady

[moparstuart]

Hi everyone.
I have some questions about the headlight springs and vacuum switch on the birds.
I'm finishing up my dash assy. and was checking the vacuum switch for the gauge pack.

I have tested 3 of the ones I have. The original an NOS one and a reproduction one. When I put vacuum to all 3 of them they only hold vacuum for between 3 to 5 seconds. I'm going the have to assume the is normal.

If it is how long should the headlights stay down when the car is shut off if the rest of the system is sealed properly?
When I go to the car shows almost all the birds headlights are down.

I know they use a set of springs to help the headlights stay steady at low idle and I know that sooner or later the lights will go up when the vacuum is off.

Do most of you guys disconnect the springs or are they adjustable to keep the pressure off when not running?

Any input would be great!

i fought this for years chasing vacuum to find the leaks never could fix it and hated that after a 1/2 hour my headlamps would come up .
  So i took my springs off and have never looked back .

[RealWing]

I also left the springs off when assembling the nose. I did have the switch and vacuum pods restored
Jim

[Aero426]

Springs off unless you want to be in the lazy eye club.

[held1823]

Springs off unless you want to be in the lazy eye club.

i wish mine had eyes to be lazy 

[PettyMower]

The springs are there to hold the buckets UP, if vacuum is lost while driving at night.

Not wanting to remove this safety feature, I made lanyards that attach to the buckets, feed through an already existing hole, and attach an extension spring to that end of the lanyard. The other end (loop) of the spring slides over the threads where the z-bracket bolts to the sub-frame.