The Ford Barn

RCM · 05-21-2014, 11:21 AM

...just a dumb one:
The wipers on my 56 Customline only go half way and dont come down unless I turn of the switch.
I'm gonna go with the brake fluid lub job. I already read about it here and on the HAMB.
I was trying to avoid the disassembly and do it on the spot. I already got a new rubber hose to replace the one that goes from the fuel pump to the vacuum motor since the one ive got is hard and dried out causing possible leaks. I also hope that I get fortunate enough to solve the problem I've been having with the engine dying on me whem I come to a stop (at a red light for instance) - I also read about hambers and barners with the same issue that had a vacuum leak.

What I'd like to know is if I have to disassemble the unit to replace the hose or can I otherwise pull it off through the firewall.

Help appreciated.

Thanks.

PS - My wipers dont suck!

Ole Don · 05-21-2014, 06:34 PM

On my 55, you have to stand on your head and hold the light with one hand while you remove the old hose and install the new hose with your other two hands. If, like me, you have grown a bit bigger since you were 18, its not easy, but it can be done.

Daves55Sedan · 05-21-2014, 09:33 PM

Well, I'm old too, but still as thin and wiry as I was when I was 18. I just lay on the front seat and slide down onto the floor with my head up under the dash. Then you can just reach up and pull the hose off where it enters the wiper motor on the passenger side. May need to cut the end of the hose off to get it thru the firewall grommet, but that's okay since you are going to replace it with a new one.
Also suggest lubricating the joints on the wiper actuating arms under the dash (at the far ends) with fresh lubriplate.

RCM · 05-22-2014, 06:04 AM

Hi there guys.
How do I quote you both on this reply?
Your description of the work needed matches exacly my behaviour yesterday afternoon.
I was able to find the desired position (I sat on the cars floor and stuck my head under the dash - yes I used a head light - managed so because I still only weigh 74kg) and replace the hose.
It had a bad leak.
Even so, the wipers behave the same way: go up to mid windshield and dont come down unless I turn the switch off.
I'm affraid I'll need some clamps to make sure its not leaking on the motor/hose connection. Also I'll have to inject some brake fluid directly on the motor because I only squirted wd40 on the hose's end.
I'll keep you guys updated.
Thanks for helping.

Charlville · 05-22-2014, 08:41 AM

I'd be really careful with the brake fluid lub job, had a really bad experience with this once. Some residual brake fluid remained in the motor and caused paint damage when it eventually emerged from the motor

. ATF works pretty well, (this is of course internal lub of the motor I'm referring to), I've also used a product called 3 in 1 Oil that we have in the UK with some success.

smtichy · 05-22-2014, 03:03 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlville

I'd be really careful with the brake fluid lub job

Hi RCM,
I also agree with Charlville's comment on the brake fluid. It strips paint, and has a bit of a smell. Most people I've traded notes with on this topic have recommended ATF, and also 3 in 1 oil is often mentioned as a harmless thing to start with (here in CZ 3 in 1 is sold as "sewing machine oil" and even labeled in English).

I would put some of this in there and let it sit a couple days to loosen up the gaskets flaps so they can move.

Good luck

STEVE1103 · 05-22-2014, 05:02 PM

MM oil will work! And to keep them working under a load, put in a little holding tank, I made one out of a juice can a while back, it does work.

RCM · 05-23-2014, 08:29 AM

OK guys. Thanks for the advice.
I only gave WD40 a shot, didnt yet try another lubricant as yesterday I didnt manage to slip away from family obligations!
How about gear oil?

smtichy · 05-23-2014, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCM

How about gear oil?

Gear oil is really thick and designed to lube metal on metal. Being thicker it risks collecting dust, or clogging up the gaskets, diaphrams, and in some cases flap valves. The thinner oils or ATF help make sure these bits remain movable.

Here's a thread on the Hamb with tips on this.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...ebuild.373932/

Steve

RCM · 05-23-2014, 11:31 AM

OK smtichy, thanks for the insight.
The WD40 has been sitting for almost 2 days now, lets see how it works today.
I'll let you guys know.
Regards.

RCM · 05-26-2014, 04:25 AM

Hi there.
No results. Its all the same.
I'll have to pull it off although I might also be getting low vac from the fuel pump. How can I be sure that the pump is working good enough?
Its kind of wierd since the hose had a major leak and now that its been replaced it all works as well as before..
Thanks for helping.

smtichy · 05-26-2014, 04:41 AM

Hi RCM, the best is to use a vacuum gauge to see what level it reads at the hose to the wiper motor. The gauge is also handy to let you check the vacuum level at various points, hopefully isolating the leak. Also make sure the connection to the vacuum pump itself is good. Mine had an issue here, in that someone previously had not left a sufficient amount of tube to make a solid connection into the pump.

Did the repairs you made so far fix the problem of the motor dying?

RCM · 05-26-2014, 06:22 AM

Hi there Steve. Thanks for helping.
The connection to the pump seems to be good, new hose all the way and clamps to adjust just in case.
Saddly the repairs havent yet fixed the above mentioned problem.
My carb has major leaks also. I already have a full repair kit and the metal bowl that 1952 Henry generously offered. Tomorrow I'm gonna take the car to a nearby shop to have it rebuild. It is ran by an old mechanic that did some work for me previously and I think he is the right person to work on the Holley. I would gladly do it myself, since working on our cars is our pride and joy, but I lack the knowledge and the likely the outcome would be poor as far as tunning it is concerned.
Hopefully tomorrow afternoon those issues will be solved...

I've got a question for you specifically on parts dealers here in Europe. If you dont mind, since that is not an issue for the majority of Barners, I'll pm you.

Regards

Charlville · 05-27-2014, 02:36 AM

Hi RCM

If you need any help trying to get stuff in the UK, I'm happy to help if I can? Feel free to PM

Regards

Kevin

RCM · 05-27-2014, 04:07 AM

Hi there Kevin.
First of all thank you for helping.
That is a really cool informative blog you got running there. I added it to my bookmarks.
PM sent
Regards

RCM · 05-29-2014, 08:43 AM

Carb repair went good after some work and one sleepless night (out of sadness I confess).
STEVE: the carb job fixed the dying engine syndrome. I can now approach a red light at any speed, press the clutch and just use the brakes to stop and its all good, really low smooth idle, no diyng. What a relief. Dont have manage manual choke, steering, clutch lever all at the same time. Look at my carb flooding thread.
Thanks for helping.

05-21-2014, 11:21 AM	#1
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Not just another vacuum wiper question... ...just a dumb one: The wipers on my 56 Customline only go half way and dont come down unless I turn of the switch. I'm gonna go with the brake fluid lub job. I already read about it here and on the HAMB. I was trying to avoid the disassembly and do it on the spot. I already got a new rubber hose to replace the one that goes from the fuel pump to the vacuum motor since the one ive got is hard and dried out causing possible leaks. I also hope that I get fortunate enough to solve the problem I've been having with the engine dying on me whem I come to a stop (at a red light for instance) - I also read about hambers and barners with the same issue that had a vacuum leak. What I'd like to know is if I have to disassemble the unit to replace the hose or can I otherwise pull it off through the firewall. Help appreciated. Thanks. PS - My wipers dont suck!

05-21-2014, 06:34 PM	#2
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... On my 55, you have to stand on your head and hold the light with one hand while you remove the old hose and install the new hose with your other two hands. If, like me, you have grown a bit bigger since you were 18, its not easy, but it can be done.

05-21-2014, 09:33 PM	#3
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Well, I'm old too, but still as thin and wiry as I was when I was 18. I just lay on the front seat and slide down onto the floor with my head up under the dash. Then you can just reach up and pull the hose off where it enters the wiper motor on the passenger side. May need to cut the end of the hose off to get it thru the firewall grommet, but that's okay since you are going to replace it with a new one. Also suggest lubricating the joints on the wiper actuating arms under the dash (at the far ends) with fresh lubriplate.

05-22-2014, 06:04 AM	#4
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi there guys. How do I quote you both on this reply? Your description of the work needed matches exacly my behaviour yesterday afternoon. I was able to find the desired position (I sat on the cars floor and stuck my head under the dash - yes I used a head light - managed so because I still only weigh 74kg) and replace the hose. It had a bad leak. Even so, the wipers behave the same way: go up to mid windshield and dont come down unless I turn the switch off. I'm affraid I'll need some clamps to make sure its not leaking on the motor/hose connection. Also I'll have to inject some brake fluid directly on the motor because I only squirted wd40 on the hose's end. I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks for helping.

05-22-2014, 08:41 AM	#5
Charlville Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Berkshire, United Kingdom Posts: 368	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... I'd be really careful with the brake fluid lub job, had a really bad experience with this once. Some residual brake fluid remained in the motor and caused paint damage when it eventually emerged from the motor . ATF works pretty well, (this is of course internal lub of the motor I'm referring to), I've also used a product called 3 in 1 Oil that we have in the UK with some success. __________________ Kevin Flood West Berkshire UK Member MAFCGB, VHRA, SAH, Brooklands Trust Sporadic progress on My 1929 Sport Coupe can be found here along with my blog http://automotiveamerican.com/

05-22-2014, 05:02 PM	#7
STEVE1103 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville PA Posts: 73	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... MM oil will work! And to keep them working under a load, put in a little holding tank, I made one out of a juice can a while back, it does work. __________________ STEVE1103

05-23-2014, 08:29 AM	#8
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... OK guys. Thanks for the advice. I only gave WD40 a shot, didnt yet try another lubricant as yesterday I didnt manage to slip away from family obligations! How about gear oil?

05-23-2014, 11:31 AM	#10
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... OK smtichy, thanks for the insight. The WD40 has been sitting for almost 2 days now, lets see how it works today. I'll let you guys know. Regards.

05-26-2014, 04:25 AM	#11
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi there. No results. Its all the same. I'll have to pull it off although I might also be getting low vac from the fuel pump. How can I be sure that the pump is working good enough? Its kind of wierd since the hose had a major leak and now that its been replaced it all works as well as before.. Thanks for helping.

05-26-2014, 04:41 AM	#12
smtichy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Prague, Czech Republic Posts: 126	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi RCM, the best is to use a vacuum gauge to see what level it reads at the hose to the wiper motor. The gauge is also handy to let you check the vacuum level at various points, hopefully isolating the leak. Also make sure the connection to the vacuum pump itself is good. Mine had an issue here, in that someone previously had not left a sufficient amount of tube to make a solid connection into the pump. Did the repairs you made so far fix the problem of the motor dying? __________________ Steve '55 Sunliner - 292 V8, 3 speed man. w/ OD ČKMAA - Český klub majitelů amerických automobilů

05-26-2014, 06:22 AM	#13
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi there Steve. Thanks for helping. The connection to the pump seems to be good, new hose all the way and clamps to adjust just in case. Saddly the repairs havent yet fixed the above mentioned problem. My carb has major leaks also. I already have a full repair kit and the metal bowl that 1952 Henry generously offered. Tomorrow I'm gonna take the car to a nearby shop to have it rebuild. It is ran by an old mechanic that did some work for me previously and I think he is the right person to work on the Holley. I would gladly do it myself, since working on our cars is our pride and joy, but I lack the knowledge and the likely the outcome would be poor as far as tunning it is concerned. Hopefully tomorrow afternoon those issues will be solved... I've got a question for you specifically on parts dealers here in Europe. If you dont mind, since that is not an issue for the majority of Barners, I'll pm you. Regards

05-27-2014, 02:36 AM	#14
Charlville Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: West Berkshire, United Kingdom Posts: 368	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi RCM If you need any help trying to get stuff in the UK, I'm happy to help if I can? Feel free to PM Regards Kevin __________________ Kevin Flood West Berkshire UK Member MAFCGB, VHRA, SAH, Brooklands Trust Sporadic progress on My 1929 Sport Coupe can be found here along with my blog http://automotiveamerican.com/

05-27-2014, 04:07 AM	#15
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Hi there Kevin. First of all thank you for helping. That is a really cool informative blog you got running there. I added it to my bookmarks. PM sent Regards

05-29-2014, 08:43 AM	#16
RCM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Portugal Posts: 374	Re: Not just another vacuum wiper question... Carb repair went good after some work and one sleepless night (out of sadness I confess). STEVE: the carb job fixed the dying engine syndrome. I can now approach a red light at any speed, press the clutch and just use the brakes to stop and its all good, really low smooth idle, no diyng. What a relief. Dont have manage manual choke, steering, clutch lever all at the same time. Look at my carb flooding thread. Thanks for helping.