The Ford Barn

Jim.UT · 07-01-2025, 11:46 AM

My 55 Town Sedan was restored prior to my acquisition and most everything works except the radio and clock. I'll get to those later.

One thing that didn't fully work correctly is the vacuum wipers. They would make 1/2 a cycle and then freeze with the wiper arms extended. If pushed back to the park position they would start to move on their own but then freeze again in the fully extended position.

In my research, I found a mention in a 4 year old youtube video about a guy in NY who rebuilds vacuum motors. I found the guy and sent him my motor. About 10 days later I had a rebuilt motor back. Installed it today and the wipers work great! The cost was not that much (IMO): $135 plus return postage...total $151.

The guy's name is Rob Flicken, Flicken Wiper Service. His website is rebuildingtricomotors.com. His email is [email protected]. I recommend him.

delco1946 · 07-02-2025, 12:28 PM

That’s great to know! Does he just lubricate it (seems like one can do that themselves) or do you know if he did something extra? Mine struggle and I did clean and lube them but I didn’t go with the common recommendation of trans lube and used a lithium grease which in restrospect was too thick.

rotorwrench · 07-07-2025, 07:25 PM

As far as I know, they disassemble, clean, and inspect them and then put them back together with what ever new parts they may need with lube service to last. If in good condition, only gaskets would be needed. Most Tricos follow a design pattern that is similar enough that many parts are interchangeable between different models by size.

I think this business is in its second generation. The Ficken name associated with "The Wiper Man" has be around a long time.

KULTULZ · 07-08-2025, 02:31 AM

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07-01-2025, 11:46 AM	#1
Jim.UT Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Posts: 21	Vacuum wipers fixed! My 55 Town Sedan was restored prior to my acquisition and most everything works except the radio and clock. I'll get to those later. One thing that didn't fully work correctly is the vacuum wipers. They would make 1/2 a cycle and then freeze with the wiper arms extended. If pushed back to the park position they would start to move on their own but then freeze again in the fully extended position. In my research, I found a mention in a 4 year old youtube video about a guy in NY who rebuilds vacuum motors. I found the guy and sent him my motor. About 10 days later I had a rebuilt motor back. Installed it today and the wipers work great! The cost was not that much (IMO): $135 plus return postage...total $151. The guy's name is Rob Flicken, Flicken Wiper Service. His website is rebuildingtricomotors.com. His email is [email protected]. I recommend him.

07-02-2025, 12:28 PM	#2
delco1946 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Gladstone, OR Posts: 183	Re: Vacuum wipers fixed! That’s great to know! Does he just lubricate it (seems like one can do that themselves) or do you know if he did something extra? Mine struggle and I did clean and lube them but I didn’t go with the common recommendation of trans lube and used a lithium grease which in restrospect was too thick.

07-07-2025, 07:25 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,410	Re: Vacuum wipers fixed! As far as I know, they disassemble, clean, and inspect them and then put them back together with what ever new parts they may need with lube service to last. If in good condition, only gaskets would be needed. Most Tricos follow a design pattern that is similar enough that many parts are interchangeable between different models by size. I think this business is in its second generation. The Ficken name associated with "The Wiper Man" has be around a long time.

07-08-2025, 02:31 AM	#4
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A GALAXIE FAR, FAR AWAY Posts: 7,386	Re: Vacuum wipers fixed! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) FLAT RATE METHOD - https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/impr...iper-function/ PROFESSIONAL METHOD - https://rebuildingtricowipers.com/ __________________ ***** "Last Sunday, I caught him makin' eyes at Idell Bushey durin' preachin'. And I know what they do up there in the hills when they say they're possum huntin'. They're just sittin' around the campfire, drinkin' hard cider, hittin' each other on the shoulder and hollerin' 'flinch!'." ― Charlene Darling (Daughter of Briscoe Darling)