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04-05-2018, 11:29 AM | #1 |
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1956 Ford windshield wipers
My windshield wipers in my 1956 Ford Fairlane don't work. Can someone give me some advice on where to start checking the system to find the problem? Thanks
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04-05-2018, 12:10 PM | #2 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
what isn't it doing does it make any noise
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04-05-2018, 02:00 PM | #3 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
I guess the first thing to find out for sure is if it has a wiper motor and if it's vacuum operated or electric.
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04-05-2018, 09:13 PM | #4 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
Assuming the car has the original vacuum operated wiper motor; I would first look under the dash to see if the vacuum hose is connected to the motor. If so, trace the hose thru the firewall and see if it is disconnected under the hood.
Check condition of all rubber hoses for cracks or expansion at the connection points and replace any as needed. Could be that the motor itself is dry. I have successfully removed, dismantled, re-lubed and re-installed vacuum motors in the past where they miraculously operated again for a few years, but that is iffy. They can be rebuilt by some of our more popular repro parts suppliers if you can spare the expense. |
04-05-2018, 10:11 PM | #5 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
I have a 1955 crown Victoria, and I removed my vacuum operated motor disassembled it cleaned it, applied white lithium grease, and reassembled it. The only complaint I have is that in the winter time or during cold weather the dash has to warm up a little bit for the wipers to operate normally. If you have good hearing you should definitely be able to hear The vacuum when you turn the knob all the way closed. I would recommend a thin lubricant such as white lithium grease or thinner, but maybe not so Thin ad to worry about it getting sucked into the vacuum hose. But maybe that’s an unrealistic risk.I also think I read someone using automatic transmission fluid but my mechanic says that is pretty aggressive to adhesive’s and I would assume many materials so I don’t think I would use something like that.
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04-06-2018, 02:23 AM | #6 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
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First you establish the strength of manifold vacuum and if the vacuum signal is reaching the wiper motor. This also includes testing the vacuum signal from a two-stage fuel pump if so equipped. -Improving Windshield Wiper Function
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04-06-2018, 07:39 AM | #7 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
I would also check out this thread to ensure your vacuum hoses are hooked up correctly. As others have said, ensure proper vacuum at the manifold.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=vacuum I removed the wiper motor and manually moved the arms to suck in a thin oil and lubricate/moisten the seals inside of the motor and let it sit overnight. Drain it and then put it back on the car and now my wipers work properly. Some have used brake fluid for this "trick" but I didn't want to risk DOT fluid dripping inside of my interior. |
04-06-2018, 10:29 AM | #8 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
One of the reasons I went electric. I know now correct but the car is no where correct anyway.
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04-06-2018, 10:39 AM | #9 |
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Location: Oakville Ontario
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
if you do not have a manual as suggested they are a must have for problems like this.there is a member here that sells a CD manual this is the one with over a thousand pages with added other info.you should check with him for the price you will not find a better buy.he goes by hot rod reverend {Dan} he also has build post going on here I think
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04-06-2018, 04:01 PM | #10 | |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
Quote:
My first thought was to use lithium grease, but the viscosity of that stuff is like joint compound (for wallboard). I had a concern that lithium grease would actually deter the flapper from moving, especially in cold weather. I wound up using bearing grease as it seems to be more similar to the viscosity of the stuff that was originally there, but maybe a little thinner. I also oiled the shaft/bearing with 3-in-one oil. That is the one that is in my car now and it does work fine still after all these years. I call this an iffy project, because the wrong type of grease, the wrong amount of grease and a myriad of other things could mean failure of the motor to work properly. Ya just gotta play with it. |
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04-06-2018, 07:57 PM | #11 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
@daves55sedan: now you tell me . The “motor” is very user friendly in my opinion, the hardest part is simply removing/installing it. I would definitely recommend a thin oil on the sliding parts at the top of the unit that are controlled/ moved by the dash knob.
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04-06-2018, 09:09 PM | #12 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
If you have vacuum to the wiper and the hoses are in good shape you can try lubing the inside as follows (best to have a helper)
Put some dot 3 regular brake fluid (some use MMO or trans fluid) in a small break proof container (food tin can). In the engine compartment, locate the vacuum hose going to the wiper motor. Put rags on the floor inside the car under the wiper motor. Take the can of fluid, insert the vacuum hose and manually cycle the wipers ten or so times (one person on each wiper). This should draw the fluid into the wiper motor. Let sit overnight. Try it the next day. Car may smoke on start up because some of the fluid is drawn into the engine. It will go away. If wipers show improvement but not the best, try one more time. If that does not cure your problem, a rebuild may be necessary. This has worked for a few friends of mine. Just be careful with the brake fluid
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04-07-2018, 02:28 AM | #13 | ||
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
Quote:
Quote:
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04-11-2018, 10:37 AM | #14 |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
OK, here are the results of trying to get my windshield wipers to work. First I want to thank everyone who responded to my post. When I started I had no wiper movement at all. I removed the vacuum hose from the fuel pump and inserted it into a jar of brake fluid. Turned the wiper knob to the on position and manually moved to wipers back and forth 10 or twelve times. All I saw was bubbles going into the jar. It didn’t look like fluid was being sucked into the hose and up into the wiper motor. But since I wasn’t sure I just let it set for a day anyway. The next day I reconnected the hose to the fuel pump, turned off the wipers and started the car. When I turned the wipers on, nothing happened and I didn’t have any smoke coming out the exhaust. This led me to believe that the brake fluid never made it to the motor. So, I started over. This time I took one of my older BBQ injection syringes filled it with brake fluid and forced the brake fluid into the hose and up into the motor. I left this for another day and then tried it again. When I turned the wiper motor on the wipers moved up the windshield about one third of the way and stopped. That was all I could get it to do. I am not sure if the brake fluid helped or just moving the wiper blades back and forth was the reason they worked a little. I might try this again and see if it shows any improvement before I decide if I want to rebuild the motor or get an electric motor. Anyway, thanks again for the help, you guys are very knowledgeable and I really appreciate you taking your time to help me.
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04-11-2018, 12:35 PM | #15 | |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
-Windshield Wiper Vacuum Source- CLICK HERE
Quote:
I would try the intake manifold source first. The pump valve/diaphram may be stuck/frozen. Do you have a vacuum gauge (about $10 ) The brake fluid container is hooked to the vent (bottom port) and drawn into the motor by engine vacuum. After working the wipers manually while drawing fluid, let it set for a few hours so the leather diaphram can swell. Then try it. These tips are for a BIRD but your FORD should be basically the same.
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04-11-2018, 01:24 PM | #16 | |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
Quote:
If the hoses on the booster (top of the fuel pump) aren't connected correctly or the internal diaphragm is ruptured you won't get vacuum at the wiper motor. Here's a labeled photo of a fuel pump from my '55. I'll assume other pumps have their in/out connections in the same place. Last edited by dmsfrr; 04-11-2018 at 01:33 PM. |
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04-11-2018, 04:58 PM | #17 | |
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Re: 1956 Ford windshield wipers
Here is another good (excellent) suggestion from another forum...
Quote:
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
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