The Ford Barn

ETAModel · 03-21-2022, 01:28 PM

Hey all, the '30 Fordor didn't have a wiper arm or motor when Edgar bought it, just a small hole in the windshield frame. When I asked someone at the club about it, they told me to just turn around if it starts raining!

I think the '30 had a vacuum wiper, but I could be wrong. The car has the 6 volt, positive ground system.

My question is; what's the easiest way to get some kind of wiper on this windshield? It doesn't have to be 100% P/C, just something that will keep the wiper turning when it occasionally rains here.

I may just use Rainex and be done if its gonna be a major expense/problem.

Thanks in advance.

Herb Concord Ca · 03-21-2022, 01:37 PM

Yes your car used a vacuum wiper. You should a 4 holes in the frame on the driver side 2 to mount the wiper, it mounts on the outside. one hole for the slide on/off rod and a larger one for the vacuum line.

ETAModel · 03-21-2022, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the quick response Herb. IIRC it does have 4 holes. Many years ago my brother had a car with a vacuum system. I was young but as I recall he didn't have much good to say about it. But he had a lead foot and that caused most of his problems.

So the motor mounts on the outside? Interesting. Where was the vacuum line route from the gas motor to the wiper motor?

How dependable/durable are the reproductions?

Again thanks.

Bob C · 03-21-2022, 02:29 PM

Looking at the Standards the Fordor could of had an electric wiper until
around the middle of 1930 when the vacuum wiper was used.
Here is a picture Marco posted.

Brentwood Bob · 03-21-2022, 02:49 PM

This YouTube I made may be helpful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PdKVbOBzhmI

Herb Concord Ca · 03-21-2022, 09:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In the engine bay you should see a fitting in the intake manifold and have a metal line from the intake manifold to the firewall. Inside another metal tube from the firewall up the right side to where the windshield is hinged, here it bends (or it may be a rubber hose) is clipped along the top of the of the windshield recess area and go through the windshield frame hole and connect to the wiper.

bruceincam · 03-21-2022, 09:55 PM

Unless you're worried about originality for some reason, my vote would be to skip the wiper, default to Rainex. If you must have a wiper, make it an electrical wiper. That vacuum wiper is as worthless as ------. I know that you didn't ask for opinions --- I apologize.

CarlG · 03-21-2022, 11:22 PM

I installed the electric wiper system from Newport Engineering in my '31 CCPU. Works great.

ETAModel · 03-22-2022, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceincam

Unless you're worried about originality for some reason, my vote would be to skip the wiper, default to Rainex. If you must have a wiper, make it an electrical wiper. That vacuum wiper is as worthless as ------. I know that you didn't ask for opinions --- I apologize.

I was hoping for some opinions. My experience with vacuum wipers is its one step above reaching around the windshield with a hand towel in a driving rain.

No, I'm not worried about originality; its still 6 volt, generator, 4 banger, stock head (I suppose) and other than a few minor details its as it rolled off the line in 1930.

I guess what caused this is we got our first rain in 3 months, so watching it pour down got me to thinking....that's often a bad thing.

We now return to our regular scheduled program, already in progress.

ETAModel · 03-22-2022, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

I installed the electric wiper system from Newport Engineering in my '31 CCPU. Works great.

CarlG, if I get a wiper I'm leaning towards electric.
Thanks

Karl · 03-22-2022, 04:23 AM

I drive my 1930 Phaeton lots in all sorts of weather and I'm happy with my vacuum wiper.
If you get a good one and its rebuild correcty and properly lubed they work fine. I have in the garage a rebuild original electric wiper correct for a 1929 which I ran for a while but really it wasn't any better than the vacuum wiper . The problem with vacuum is that the die cast cases can warp meaning the flapper doesn't seal inside properly- at this point they can't be made any good and you need to find another one -It took me a couple of goes before I found a good one . . I just love it when passengers hear the suck suck of the wiper and I explain how it works . Up hills it will stop but a momentary lift off the gas gives you a few sweeps which is enough -However I'm an original freak

The 34 in my Avatar has twin vacuum wipers which also work well . The 34 has a bleed valve in the vacuum line which means you can vary the wiper speed to suit conditions much more that you would be able to do with an electric wiper

chrs1961815 · 03-22-2022, 08:12 AM

Yes people give vacuum wipers a bad rap because they have worn out ones that are not factory spec. One that has been rebuilt right with paddles that actually seal works quite well.

katy · 03-22-2022, 11:12 AM

If you're looking for something inexpensive, easy to install and that works, a hand operated wiper is your friend.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7125&cat=41933

woofa.express · 03-22-2022, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

If you're looking for something inexpensive, easy to install and that works, a hand operated wiper is your friend.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7125&cat=41933

I think these hand wipers are great Katy. I found the electric wiper motor partly obscured my vision and my neck ached because I was craning my head to see. Another reason I prefer the hand wiper is because we don't get very much rain and if it is falling too hard I simply stop and wait. That's infrequent.
By my observation drivers seem to go faster in rain. Can't figure that one out?

Ivan in southeast va. · 03-22-2022, 02:49 PM

Get one to fill the hole in your windshield. It doesn't have to work and it probably won't, and then use rain-x

nkaminar · 03-23-2022, 05:53 AM

The vacuum windshield wipers were the original variable speed wipers. If they were going too fast you just had to open the throttle. And if they were going to slow you just had to slow down. That said, I loved them. The idea of a vacuum motor and the click-click sound were wonderful.

I have a 6 volt electric wiper motor on my 12 volt car. I added a variable voltage control that mounts with a removable, non-destructive bracket to the top of the windshield. I can now control the wiper motor from very slow to very fast. It still does not do a very good job in the rain.

03-21-2022, 01:28 PM	#1
ETAModel Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Along the Red River, Texas Posts: 360	Windshield wiper ideas Hey all, the '30 Fordor didn't have a wiper arm or motor when Edgar bought it, just a small hole in the windshield frame. When I asked someone at the club about it, they told me to just turn around if it starts raining! I think the '30 had a vacuum wiper, but I could be wrong. The car has the 6 volt, positive ground system. My question is; what's the easiest way to get some kind of wiper on this windshield? It doesn't have to be 100% P/C, just something that will keep the wiper turning when it occasionally rains here. I may just use Rainex and be done if its gonna be a major expense/problem. Thanks in advance.

03-21-2022, 01:37 PM	#2
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 649	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Yes your car used a vacuum wiper. You should a 4 holes in the frame on the driver side 2 to mount the wiper, it mounts on the outside. one hole for the slide on/off rod and a larger one for the vacuum line.

03-21-2022, 02:09 PM	#3
ETAModel Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Along the Red River, Texas Posts: 360	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Thanks for the quick response Herb. IIRC it does have 4 holes. Many years ago my brother had a car with a vacuum system. I was young but as I recall he didn't have much good to say about it. But he had a lead foot and that caused most of his problems. So the motor mounts on the outside? Interesting. Where was the vacuum line route from the gas motor to the wiper motor? How dependable/durable are the reproductions? Again thanks.

03-21-2022, 02:49 PM	#5
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,284	Re: Windshield wiper ideas This YouTube I made may be helpful. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PdKVbOBzhmI

03-21-2022, 09:31 PM	#6
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 649	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In the engine bay you should see a fitting in the intake manifold and have a metal line from the intake manifold to the firewall. Inside another metal tube from the firewall up the right side to where the windshield is hinged, here it bends (or it may be a rubber hose) is clipped along the top of the of the windshield recess area and go through the windshield frame hole and connect to the wiper.

03-21-2022, 09:55 PM	#7
bruceincam Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Camarillo, Ca Posts: 168	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Unless you're worried about originality for some reason, my vote would be to skip the wiper, default to Rainex. If you must have a wiper, make it an electrical wiper. That vacuum wiper is as worthless as ------. I know that you didn't ask for opinions --- I apologize.

03-21-2022, 11:22 PM	#8
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,120	Re: Windshield wiper ideas I installed the electric wiper system from Newport Engineering in my '31 CCPU. Works great. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

03-22-2022, 04:23 AM	#11
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Windshield wiper ideas I drive my 1930 Phaeton lots in all sorts of weather and I'm happy with my vacuum wiper. If you get a good one and its rebuild correcty and properly lubed they work fine. I have in the garage a rebuild original electric wiper correct for a 1929 which I ran for a while but really it wasn't any better than the vacuum wiper . The problem with vacuum is that the die cast cases can warp meaning the flapper doesn't seal inside properly- at this point they can't be made any good and you need to find another one -It took me a couple of goes before I found a good one . . I just love it when passengers hear the suck suck of the wiper and I explain how it works . Up hills it will stop but a momentary lift off the gas gives you a few sweeps which is enough -However I'm an original freak The 34 in my Avatar has twin vacuum wipers which also work well . The 34 has a bleed valve in the vacuum line which means you can vary the wiper speed to suit conditions much more that you would be able to do with an electric wiper __________________ Such a fine sight to see-Its a Girl, My Lord, in a Flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me.

03-22-2022, 08:12 AM	#12
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Yes people give vacuum wipers a bad rap because they have worn out ones that are not factory spec. One that has been rebuilt right with paddles that actually seal works quite well. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

03-22-2022, 11:12 AM	#13
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,071	Re: Windshield wiper ideas If you're looking for something inexpensive, easy to install and that works, a hand operated wiper is your friend. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7125&cat=41933 __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-22-2022, 02:49 PM	#15
Ivan in southeast va. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia Posts: 303	Re: Windshield wiper ideas Get one to fill the hole in your windshield. It doesn't have to work and it probably won't, and then use rain-x

03-23-2022, 05:53 AM	#16
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,002	Re: Windshield wiper ideas The vacuum windshield wipers were the original variable speed wipers. If they were going too fast you just had to open the throttle. And if they were going to slow you just had to slow down. That said, I loved them. The idea of a vacuum motor and the click-click sound were wonderful. I have a 6 volt electric wiper motor on my 12 volt car. I added a variable voltage control that mounts with a removable, non-destructive bracket to the top of the windshield. I can now control the wiper motor from very slow to very fast. It still does not do a very good job in the rain. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 03-23-2022 at 05:58 AM.