Vacuum wiper motor

[oldbugger]

Just asking if any one has had good success rebuilding the vacuum wiper motor like whats on my 35 coupe. Or am I better off replacing it with a 12v motor. Thanks in advance, Paul

[VeryTangled]

I found some info in another thread, and then replied to the wrong message, so check out the discussion over here...
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87579

-VT/Jeff

[Old Henry]

I "rebuilt" mine without any parts. Just took it apart, figured out why it wasn't working right, fixed it, cleaned it, lubricated it (with distributor cam grease - nothing else) and it works fine. Give it a try. You might get lucky like I did. Be sure to test it hooked up to vacuum sitting on the fender before re-installing it to make sure you've really fixed it.

[trainguy]

I use Fricken wiper service in Babaylon NY, They do a great job. Phil

[paul2748]

In many cases, an old vacuum wiper can be fixed with a little brake fluid (some use ATF) . What happens a lot of the time is that the "paddle" inside dries out and the brake fluid or ATF makes the paddle swell again to provide the seal needed. If still on the car, this can be done by pouring a little brake fluid in a bottle or can, inserting the vacuum hose going to the motor into the fluid and manually working the wiper blade back and forth about 6 -8 times. This should suck up the fluid into the wiper motor. Let sit overnight and then test it. Remember to put a rag under the motor (inside) to catch anything that may leak. Car may smoke some at first start up, but it will clear up. Do it again if needed.

[oldbugger]

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Thanks everyone, this gives me some options. Paul

[Mart]

I did the same on my 33 as Old Henry did, just took it apart, freed it up, greased it and put it back together. It seems to be working ok.

Mart.

[oldbugger]

Thanks Mart, I took mine apart also but my gasket did not hold togather. So I have to at least replace that, I see Macs has them. Thanks

[Briguy]

Let me recommend a guy who is not only SUPER knowledgeable about ALL wiper motors and has parts to fix them...he is just a terrific guy who will sit and give you the benefit of his years in this hobby. He has no email address so you have to call him:
Chuck Warmsbecker
3627 W Hilltop LN.
Franklin, WI 53132
414 421 3703

A real gentleman and can take good car of your wiper motors...and about anything else Model A !!

[Pete/Ct.]

When you test it on the car wet the w/shield to simulate rainy conditions as the wipers work easier when wet. Pete/Ct

[VeryTangled]

They say, around my auto shop, that brake fluid can be bad for paint. Be careful there.

-VT/Jeff

[Steves46]

On my 46, I disconnected the main hose from the motor and squirted sseveral drops of 3 & 1 oil. It's been working great so far.

[mvonhobe]

Originally Posted by paul2748

In many cases, an old vacuum wiper can be fixed with a little brake fluid (some use ATF) . What happens a lot of the time is that the "paddle" inside dries out and the brake fluid or ATF makes the paddle swell again to provide the seal needed. If still on the car, this can be done by pouring a little brake fluid in a bottle or can, inserting the vacuum hose going to the motor into the fluid and manually working the wiper blade back and forth about 6 -8 times. This should suck up the fluid into the wiper motor. Let sit overnight and then test it. Remember to put a rag under the motor (inside) to catch anything that may leak. Car may smoke some at first start up, but it will clear up. Do it again if needed.

Thanks for this post discussion, fellas.
My '39 1-1/2 ton flatbed has the vacuum wiper motor. I removed it and, next time I started up the truck, heard quite a bit of vacuum noise going on at the open end of the hose so clearly THAT end works.
I sucked up some ATF by working the mechanism - some suck and some blow = a bit messy. But can someone give me an idea how easily the motor should operate? Should it operate with little effort or should it take some push & pull to operate?
Also, I do need the wiper arm and a blade - any sources for those?

[Lawson Cox]

I think I would get an eye dropper or hypodermic needle and put ATF in the wiper before trying to check it out. Let is sit overnight at least. This will lube it up and soften the paddle. It shouldn't take a LOT of effort to get it to moving, but as everything gets a good coating of ATF it should work with very little effort.

Most any of your vintage parts dealers should have an arm and blade. I know, at least on 35-36 pickups the wiper arm should be black. Not chrome.

[mvonhobe]

Thanks, Lawson.....that's what I needed to know; level of effort for proper operation.

(Already knew about the tomato but that's a good reminder, too!)

[Robert/Texas]

I squirted some WD40 in my '34 roadster wiper motor some 8 or 10 years ago. The motor has been working fine ever since. At the time the wipers would only go from the park position to full left and then stop. Someone suggested this on the earlier version of this site.