Since my 56 is going to be my daily driver again soon, I would like to have windshield wipers on it. I bought a used electric wiper motor for it recently. I have no switch for it.The motor has three wires. Does that mean it's a single speed motor? It seems switches are hard to find and pricey when you do find them. I see complete kits including motor , switch, and all for about $150 advertised. I'm thinking that's the way to go. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

sounds like you want to replace vacuum to electric? They are two speed,
with a three wire switch which were standard on F7,8&900s. If you cant
find a switch I would try a 1973 to 1979 switch probably from Napa.
Wiring diagram is in the shop manual.

 

1948/56 & 1957/60 Ford Truck Parts Catalogs do not list how many speeds the motor has.

1948/56 catalog does not list how many speeds the switch is.

COTZ-17508-A (replaced B6C-17508-A) .. Electric Wiper Motor-Bosch / Obsolete

Applications: All 1956/60 trucks except P Series Parcel Delivery.
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B6C-17470-A .. Electric Wiper Motor Switch / Obsolete

Applications: All 1956 trucks except P Series Parcel Delivery.

B & L FORD in Ashland PA has 1 = 570-875-4417.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 2 = 800-543-4959.

ANTIQUE AUTO SUPPLY in Arlington TX has 5 = 817-275-2381.

WESLEY OBSOLETE PARTS in Liberty KY has 9 = 606-787-5293.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 164 = 800-476-9653.

Call around for the best price, obsolete parts prices vary wildly from one source to another. Call the dealer in PA first, then compare what the others want for it.
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NOTE: If converting from vacuum to electric wipers, you'll need more than just the switch and motor!

The 1956 only electric R & L wiper transmission arms that attach to the arm on the motor are not the same as the 1956 only vacuum wiper transmission arms.

The 1956 only electric R & L wiper pivots that attach to the transmission arms are not the same as the 1956 only vacuum wiper pivots.

 

I don't know what my truck had originally. I did not get a wiper motor with it when I bought the truck a few years ago. I do have the pivots. How can I tell if they are for vacuum or electric? Can someone post a pic showing both?Thanks.

 

1956: Both vacuum and electric wiper parts are shown here in exploded views:

1948/56 Ford Truck Parts Catalog / Volume II ~ Illustrations ~ Page 362.

Catalog available on a CD from hipoparts.com for about 20 bucks.

Reprinted bound paper catalogs (Volume I & II) available from Dennis Carpenter for 200 bucks.

 

I think if you get the above kit you will get everything you need. Phone a supplier such as Mid 50's and ask questions. Let us know what they say, it might help others.

 

I recently switched my '59 from vaccuum to electric. I'm sort of into the 'McGuyver' mode on my build so I set out to figure out my own method on the cheap. First off I noted that some electric wiper motors go 'round and 'round and use linkage to get the back and forth action. The vaccuum motor goes back and forth so I wanted an electric motor with that motion. I found that there are many back and forth motors (self reversing) and they are found on boat windshields, backhoe cabs, station wagon and mini-van rear windows. You get the idea. Lacking a suitable junkyard on this island, I ordered a motor, single speed, 110 degree sweep and 1" protrusion on the knurled shaft. I mounted it in the original location, on the original mounting bracket. Next I cut the 'V' shaped rocker arm off my vaccuum wiper and welded it to a 1/2" nut that I tapped through the flats for two set screws. This slipped neatly over the knurled shaft meant for the wiper arm. This shaft and rocker arm was now facing into the cab, and with the set screws I was able to fine tune the arc as desired. The original arms from the vaccuum setup went right on as they should. I wired a simple push pull switch in the original dash location. Works perfectly, but if I did it over again, I'd have waited til I got to a wrecking yard on the mainlandand bought a 20.00 used min-van motor because it killed me to spend 105.00 on the new motor. Call me cheap.

 

vacuum vs. electric

 

According to the diagrams, looks like the pivots were the same...and the motor was the only real difference...

 

Look at the diagrams again...the pivots were only furnished with the specific arms.

B6C-17566-A RIght & B6C-17567-A Left .. Electric Wiper Arm and Pivot Assy's.

B6C-17566-C Right & B6C-17567-C Left .. Vacuum Wiper Arm and Pivot Assy's.

 

I'm glad you fixed this.

A little off topic, but, I probably need a lesson on how to use the manuals...all I look at are the numbers on the diagram...and they are the same..but I realize now I'm missing something....

 

The basic part numbers shown in illustrations have been the same for decades. Edit: Some date back to 1907!

The text section of the parts catalog is required to get the complete part number. Text: Adding the prefix and suffix to the basic number: Complete part number.

Example: 16612 hood panel: 1953/56 all trucks except COE: B3C-16612-A / 1961/66 F100/700: C1TZ-16612-Z / 1967/72 F100/750: DOTZ-16612-A (replaced C7TZ-16612-A).

1965/66 Mustang: C5ZZ-16612-B / 1971/73 Mustang w/o hood scoop: D1ZZ-16612-A / 1971/73 Mustang with hood scoop: D1ZZ-16612-B

Same basic part number, specific prefixes and suffixes.

 

Thanks Bill, that'll point me in the right direction!

 

Thomc

Looks like I have a book you or any other might be interested in. This is an original in very good used condition, 964 pages

 

How much? I'd like to have it. Send me a PM with a price