The Ford Barn

Heard · 08-29-2014, 03:39 PM

I wanted to put a good set of wipers on my '36 coupe before I got too far along on the interior. My car came with only one wiper from the factory. The original had long since disappeared and the PO had installed a cheap Chinese model. No way was that thing going to fit behind any header panel.

I heard about the Newport Engineering wipers from a fellow Barner. Expensive, but I bit the bullet and decided to try it out.

Let me say, this is one very well built wiper system. The parts seem to be very good quality. I was concerned about a couple of things with my coupe. First, someone cut out the vertical braces behind the header. I’m guessing they did this when the top was filled in. I was concerned the wiper system needed to mount to this somehow. After a quick call to Newport, I learned the only thing holding the system to the car is where the transmissions go through the roof and are held by the large nut on the outside of the car. I was skeptical about this thinking the weight of the motor may be an issue. Second, I was nervous about drilling that second hole in my roof. This turned out to be a non issue as well due to this handy template they provide.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The idea is to mount this in the existing hole with the provided bushing and bolt. Then mark and drill the other side. This worked out beautifully. Then just mount the template in the new passenger side hole to mark the larger hole for the driver’s side. Remove the template and enlarge the holes. These holes are quite a bit larger than standard although I don’t recall the exact size. I drilled them progressively larger until I ran out of bits. Then just used a rat tail file to finish them.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Next, most folks would need to disassemble the drive mechanism so it can be slid behind the braces. My car doesn’t have those braces so it just went right into place without any issues.
It may be a little hard to see here, but the motor just mounts up to the rest of the mechanism and a little flange on the motor sits just behind the brace above the passenger side. It is not mounted to this brace in any way.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The wiring provided looks like they expect you to route it to the passenger side and down. I didn’t think it was long enough to do that so I routed it back to the driver’s side and down. I had to whittle out some of the wood strip in the pillar for the wires, but all is good.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I mounted the switch under the left side of my dash. I did not cut any excess wire off and there was not a lot of extra. I opted just for the 2 speed switch instead of the variable speed unit.
Some of you may be concerned about the wind blowing off the wipers at speed. I don’t think you need to worry about that with this unit. This little nub thing holds the wiper to the arm very securely.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

And this very strong spring will keep it in contact with the windshield.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

After getting it all hooked up and tested, I turned it off so I could install the wiper arms to the transmissions. I installed them, turned it on, then off. It stopped here.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

I think the weight of the wipers was making it stop short. I had to fiddle a bit with removing the arms and re-installing before I got it to stop in the right place like this. So don’t push the arms completely on the transmissions until you test this.

Overall, my impression is very positive. Keep in mind that mounting in your particular car may be an entirely different experience.

Pros – very well built. Easy to install. Tech support was easy to reach.

Cons – pricey but maybe not so bad considering you are buying the entire wiper system. Somewhat short wiring harness although it may be entirely different for different vehicles and would be easy to extend if necessary. The biggest downside for some might be that the wipers don’t sweep past about 6 o’clock. You can see here the left side of the driver’s glass is not going to get wiped. This is not a big issue for me.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Now if I can just figure out how to make some braces for the header panel...

Cheers!

joel · 08-29-2014, 04:42 PM

Thanks for the nice presentation. I don't have a 35/36, but I appreciate the info. BTW, I bought a Newport Eng. wiper for my 40 and it fits nice, although with the cowl vent, things are pretty close.

KiWinUS · 08-29-2014, 07:43 PM

I recognize that wiper motor , it is a marine motor available from Marinco.com
The motor is aqvailable with 80* sweep or 110* sweep , it is also available with 3 different shaft lengths , the arm as shown is also from Marinco. We use them on our Nationwide race cars when we have to roadrace in the rain.
Cheers
Tony

okiedokie · 08-29-2014, 09:14 PM

I have used Newport on four cars, love em.

paul2748 · 08-29-2014, 09:42 PM

You may have the stop a little too high. Check the operation with the blades on if you haven't already. If the swing back (to the top) is too close to the frame it may hit while in operation which could cause the unit to trip.

I have a Newport unit in my 48 Ford (and two other cars) and they work great. However, in my 48, I had the blades stop right at the rubber gasket at the bottom of the windshield and when in operation they went a little further, stopping prematurely and tripped the internal circuit breaker. I had a hard time figuring what was wrong and stumbled upon this by accident.

Tony, NY · 08-30-2014, 07:08 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I recently installed their unit in my Model A. It was a PIA to put in. The instructions were poor. The pictures were too dark. Nowhere do they tell you what the sweep is. I haven't driven the car yet to put them to use. They are well made.

kiwitony · 08-30-2014, 04:56 PM

when screen is wet they will sit a bit higher due to a bit of lubrication from the water.

Teich · 08-30-2014, 05:32 PM

Take the cover off the drives side,look in side the gear may have extra drive holes to change range of motion had some for tractor cabs that one could change Laurie

Heard · 08-30-2014, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm going to check a few of your suggestions.

Mart · 08-31-2014, 03:51 AM

If there is an arm that bolts onto a rotating spindle coming out of the motor, you could lengthen the arm a little bit to increase the stroke. There is a limit to how much you could do this, and loads will be increased, but it may get more sweep. You also may have to compromise the parked position a little to get more at the other end.

Mart.

08-29-2014, 03:39 PM	#1
Heard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 582	Newport Engineering wiper review I wanted to put a good set of wipers on my '36 coupe before I got too far along on the interior. My car came with only one wiper from the factory. The original had long since disappeared and the PO had installed a cheap Chinese model. No way was that thing going to fit behind any header panel. I heard about the Newport Engineering wipers from a fellow Barner. Expensive, but I bit the bullet and decided to try it out. Let me say, this is one very well built wiper system. The parts seem to be very good quality. I was concerned about a couple of things with my coupe. First, someone cut out the vertical braces behind the header. I’m guessing they did this when the top was filled in. I was concerned the wiper system needed to mount to this somehow. After a quick call to Newport, I learned the only thing holding the system to the car is where the transmissions go through the roof and are held by the large nut on the outside of the car. I was skeptical about this thinking the weight of the motor may be an issue. Second, I was nervous about drilling that second hole in my roof. This turned out to be a non issue as well due to this handy template they provide. [IMG][/IMG] The idea is to mount this in the existing hole with the provided bushing and bolt. Then mark and drill the other side. This worked out beautifully. Then just mount the template in the new passenger side hole to mark the larger hole for the driver’s side. Remove the template and enlarge the holes. These holes are quite a bit larger than standard although I don’t recall the exact size. I drilled them progressively larger until I ran out of bits. Then just used a rat tail file to finish them. [IMG][/IMG] Next, most folks would need to disassemble the drive mechanism so it can be slid behind the braces. My car doesn’t have those braces so it just went right into place without any issues. It may be a little hard to see here, but the motor just mounts up to the rest of the mechanism and a little flange on the motor sits just behind the brace above the passenger side. It is not mounted to this brace in any way. [IMG][/IMG] The wiring provided looks like they expect you to route it to the passenger side and down. I didn’t think it was long enough to do that so I routed it back to the driver’s side and down. I had to whittle out some of the wood strip in the pillar for the wires, but all is good. [IMG][/IMG] I mounted the switch under the left side of my dash. I did not cut any excess wire off and there was not a lot of extra. I opted just for the 2 speed switch instead of the variable speed unit. Some of you may be concerned about the wind blowing off the wipers at speed. I don’t think you need to worry about that with this unit. This little nub thing holds the wiper to the arm very securely. [IMG][/IMG] And this very strong spring will keep it in contact with the windshield. [IMG][/IMG] After getting it all hooked up and tested, I turned it off so I could install the wiper arms to the transmissions. I installed them, turned it on, then off. It stopped here. [IMG][/IMG] I think the weight of the wipers was making it stop short. I had to fiddle a bit with removing the arms and re-installing before I got it to stop in the right place like this. So don’t push the arms completely on the transmissions until you test this. Overall, my impression is very positive. Keep in mind that mounting in your particular car may be an entirely different experience. Pros – very well built. Easy to install. Tech support was easy to reach. Cons – pricey but maybe not so bad considering you are buying the entire wiper system. Somewhat short wiring harness although it may be entirely different for different vehicles and would be easy to extend if necessary. The biggest downside for some might be that the wipers don’t sweep past about 6 o’clock. You can see here the left side of the driver’s glass is not going to get wiped. This is not a big issue for me. [IMG][/IMG] Now if I can just figure out how to make some braces for the header panel... Cheers! __________________ Do I look like I have a plan B?

08-29-2014, 04:42 PM	#2
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review Thanks for the nice presentation. I don't have a 35/36, but I appreciate the info. BTW, I bought a Newport Eng. wiper for my 40 and it fits nice, although with the cowl vent, things are pretty close.

08-29-2014, 07:43 PM	#3
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,960	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review I recognize that wiper motor , it is a marine motor available from Marinco.com The motor is aqvailable with 80* sweep or 110* sweep , it is also available with 3 different shaft lengths , the arm as shown is also from Marinco. We use them on our Nationwide race cars when we have to roadrace in the rain. Cheers Tony Last edited by KiWinUS; 08-30-2014 at 07:45 AM.

08-29-2014, 09:14 PM	#4
okiedokie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Ok Posts: 518	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review I have used Newport on four cars, love em.

08-29-2014, 09:42 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,981	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review You may have the stop a little too high. Check the operation with the blades on if you haven't already. If the swing back (to the top) is too close to the frame it may hit while in operation which could cause the unit to trip. I have a Newport unit in my 48 Ford (and two other cars) and they work great. However, in my 48, I had the blades stop right at the rubber gasket at the bottom of the windshield and when in operation they went a little further, stopping prematurely and tripped the internal circuit breaker. I had a hard time figuring what was wrong and stumbled upon this by accident.

08-30-2014, 07:08 AM	#6
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I recently installed their unit in my Model A. It was a PIA to put in. The instructions were poor. The pictures were too dark. Nowhere do they tell you what the sweep is. I haven't driven the car yet to put them to use. They are well made.

08-30-2014, 04:56 PM	#7
kiwitony Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Whangaparaoa New Zealand Posts: 263	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review when screen is wet they will sit a bit higher due to a bit of lubrication from the water.

08-30-2014, 05:32 PM	#8
Teich Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brandon Mb Canada Posts: 133	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review Take the cover off the drives side,look in side the gear may have extra drive holes to change range of motion had some for tractor cabs that one could change Laurie

08-30-2014, 07:18 PM	#9
Heard Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 582	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review Thanks for the input, guys. I'm going to check a few of your suggestions. __________________ Do I look like I have a plan B?

08-31-2014, 03:51 AM	#10
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,747	Re: Newport Engineering wiper review If there is an arm that bolts onto a rotating spindle coming out of the motor, you could lengthen the arm a little bit to increase the stroke. There is a limit to how much you could do this, and loads will be increased, but it may get more sweep. You also may have to compromise the parked position a little to get more at the other end. Mart.