vacuum hesdlight switch leaking?

[willy]

I have a 1968 dodge charger r/t. If I try and pull a vacuum on the line that comes from the vacuum canister to the headlight switch in won't hold a vacuum with the switch in the off position. Is this the way it is supposed to be? It seems like it would be blocked in the off position and not let the vacuum leak out. All of my hoses are good and not cracked or leaking.
If this is not the way it is supposed to be can the switch be fixed?
Thanks, Willy

[Brock Lee]

You can buy a new switch. Often what happens is the plastic housing starts to come apart at its seams. You can use something like marine epoxy or JB Weld to coat over the seams and seal it back up. I did one and I coated over all of them, even the ones that were good just to prevent future leaks.

[tan top]

 these guys sell them 

http://www.chargerspecialties.com

[resq302]

Ouch, $70 for the headlight vac. switch!

[willy]

Thanks for the information. I will try and seal mine up before I buy a new one.
Willy

[resq302]

You can buy a new switch. Often what happens is the plastic housing starts to come apart at its seams. You can use something like marine epoxy or JB Weld to coat over the seams and seal it back up. I did one and I coated over all of them, even the ones that were good just to prevent future leaks.

Brock Lee,

The problem with that is the vacuum slide switch you can seal up on the outside where it was riveted together however, you will never be able to totally seal up the area where the slide switch is since it has to move.  They can be rebuilt as I remember seeing someone do it and drilling out the rivet and putting tiny screws to hold it in place but I don't know how long that will last.