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1970 RR Air Grabber Vacuum Actuator Problems

Lucky LAr

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Bought a couple aftermarket Vacuum Actuators from different suppliers & they all seem stop working after about 1,000 miles
When new they work great but get slower opening as time goes by until they stop working
seems like the they fall apart inside???

Any comments would be appriciated
 

Russ69Runner

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Hello and what is falling apart. Let's see some pic. of the problem. Have you tried summit racing to see if they have a better replacement. Also where do you get the actuator. I assume this is for your air grabber. I see one listed in classic industries Ouch that is a pretty price. Do you have the assist spring just asking. Well just thought I would be a sounding board. I also don't see a rebuild kit for it. Well good luck from a Roadrunner Guy all I have is 383 but proud of it my high performance day's are over. Just want to drive but still like the Grabber it's cool.:wave:
 

Lucky LAr

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Hey thanks for the reply, basically it falls apart on the inside, There is a diaphragm inside That i think is made of metal & rubber, it slowly looses the seal & stops working, I did buy one from Classic, was hoping somebody might know more about these than i do
 
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I converted my air grabber for vacuum actuator to a 2" 12 volt electric actuator. It works prefect.
 

quikbird

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Bird, I think there are a lot of people who would be very interested in how you did that. Please post some pics for them.
 
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Converting Air Grabber From Vacuum to Electric

I converted my air grabber for vacuum actuator to a 2" 12 volt electric actuator. It works prefect.
 

superbee471

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Bird, where did you acquire that actuator at. Im having the same problem with mine, it did not even go 100 miles. have not taken it apart yet , but it actsw like the diafram is leaking and will not pull in or out. any help will be appreciated. ty.
 

Rhythm Styx

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Do you have make and model on that actuator? No sense re-inventing the wheel!
 
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Birdofprey is back!!! I’ve been recovering from prostate cancer and had to devote all my attention to healing. It’s under control as of 01 Jan 2021. “HAPPY NEW”. I’m uploading a picture of the actuator I purchased on eBay, and you can see the model number.
I need help with finishing the switch that will operate the air grabber. Furthermore, I plan on using a DPDT switch to operate the actuator. Also, I want it to look stock on the instrument panel, in the stock location. I’ll convert the original vacuum switch, by modifying it to operate with the DPDT switch. It will work in tandem with the modified original vacuum switch.
What I need is for someone to upload some pictures of the original vacuum switch as it is on the instrument panel. If you have the panel disassemble, that would be perfect.
My 1970 Roadrunner is not a matching numbers' car. This conversion should help someone else who is struggling with a similar project. GBU.
Birdofprey,
 
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upload_2021-1-1_1-30-57.jpeg
312a3695-9205-4228-9773-89237b5848d7
 

Russ69Runner

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How do you adjust the travel or is it just long enough. The ones I worked with did have travel adjustment in the back of the motor. Hope someone has pic's of the switch for you.
 
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How do you adjust the travel or is it just long enough. The ones I worked with did have travel adjustment in the back of the motor. Hope someone has pic's of the switch for you.
Ok I'm not an expert on actuators. I measured the operating opening and closing strokes and discovered it was 2". I purchased the one in the picture. As you notice it has a 2" stroke. I understand this actuator has internal extending and retracting stop switches.
 

Russ69Runner

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10-4. That is what I thought also. Good luck with it hope you get the switch to look like you want it too.
 

gnat44

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I converted my air grabber for vacuum actuator to a 2" 12 volt electric actuator. It works prefect.
This is great and just what I was looking for to add air grabber to my 70 GTX without all the vaccum lines and switch. Thanks for the great pictures of your setup. I will post mine when completed.
 

gnat44

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I am doing the same. I have the complete setup but don't want to deal with all the vacuum lines and relays. I took your advice and ordered the same actuator, you can get them on Amazon. I also ordered the remote control for it.

Remote (2).jpg
 
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