The Ford Barn

glenn in camino · 01-06-2017, 08:42 PM

When I restored my 31 sport coupe,I made the vacuum wiper cosmetically correct, ran a short hose into the upper windshield frame, and mounted it on the car. It looks great, but doesn't work. All my Model As have nice wipers, but even the electric ones aren't very efficient. When it rains, I use Rainex.

Osage Orange · 01-07-2017, 04:45 PM

Glenn, Rainex is probably more practical than relying on underperforming wipers. I had an electric wiper on my '29 A coupe back in the day, and it worked fine for a light shower, but not for snow or heavy rain.

If the vacuum wiper isn't working, you'll need to take it apart, drill out the rivets holding together the paddle sandwich and replace the leather slices. Once that's done, re-pack it with petroleum jelly. The more precise your leather slices are in conforming to your vacuum pan, the stronger the wiper will function.

KGBnut · 01-07-2017, 11:15 PM

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No, the vacuum wipers are not great, but they do help a little bit. I just like to have things working properly. A few years ago I sent my vacuum unit to Robert Ficken to be rebuilt. It has been working fine ever since.

He did a good job and turned it around pretty quickly.

http://www.wiperman.com/

Ken

01-06-2017, 08:42 PM	#1
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Wiper When I restored my 31 sport coupe,I made the vacuum wiper cosmetically correct, ran a short hose into the upper windshield frame, and mounted it on the car. It looks great, but doesn't work. All my Model As have nice wipers, but even the electric ones aren't very efficient. When it rains, I use Rainex.

01-07-2017, 04:45 PM	#2
Osage Orange Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Powell Siding (near Cleveland), MO Posts: 93	Re: Wiper Glenn, Rainex is probably more practical than relying on underperforming wipers. I had an electric wiper on my '29 A coupe back in the day, and it worked fine for a light shower, but not for snow or heavy rain. If the vacuum wiper isn't working, you'll need to take it apart, drill out the rivets holding together the paddle sandwich and replace the leather slices. Once that's done, re-pack it with petroleum jelly. The more precise your leather slices are in conforming to your vacuum pan, the stronger the wiper will function.

01-07-2017, 11:15 PM	#3
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 934	Re: Wiper Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) No, the vacuum wipers are not great, but they do help a little bit. I just like to have things working properly. A few years ago I sent my vacuum unit to Robert Ficken to be rebuilt. It has been working fine ever since. He did a good job and turned it around pretty quickly. http://www.wiperman.com/ Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.