Guys was the vacuum side of the fuel pump available on these year trucks.
I have had Y-Blocks with them and they really help out the wipers.

 

Beautiful, Stu! My '52 Five Star Extra has vacuum wipers.

 

Thanks Owen, that's a strong indicator that they were separate options. I know your M-H is an untouched original. I wonder if it was a M-H general practice to equip their conversions with the vac wipers. Stu

 

My '52 salesman's book shows dual wipers as standard for all models, then under the options list is says 'positive action windshield wipers' (which I take to mean the vacuum fuel pump) available for V8's, and electric wipers optional for 6 cylinder only. The two F6's I parted out (one 51 and one 52) both had the 254 flat 6 and both had electric wipers.

 

I can't think of any reason for V8's not to be optioned with electric wipers? Mine came to me with electrics, and I know of half a dozen other V8's with them right offhand. Dealer retrofit? May never know...

My understanding from the HAMB and the Barn has been that California mandated something beyond "regular" vacuum wipers for some or all vehicles in the late '40's, so there was a dual-diaphragm fuel pump made for those cars/trucks. I can find no reference anywhere in the manuals to them, no parts numbers, etc. I did get an AC fuel pump in a basket o' parts deal that had the second diaphragm, and appeared to fit a 59-series pump stand.

 

OK, men, I am going to show my ignorance here. I drove these vehicles back when they were daily drivers and I've played with a few of them over the years but never heard of or know what this windshield wiper silencer is, how it works or what it actually does. I would suspect a check valve?

 

Very nice work. I had a heck of a time trying to figure out what was correct for 215 car engines last year too. Keep the pictures and work coming.

 

Ray - I'm also at a loss to know the function, but it's a correct piece for the truck so I tracked one down. I hope to hear more about it too, or figure it out when the day comes for it to do its work.

Ross/Wayne - makes me dizzy. I read that same language in the handbook and the only thing that's clear to me is that dual wipers were standard. And that wipers of any variety were not a feature of the 5 Star Extra package. Is this why I have deep old memory of Julie threads on the subject?

38coupe - I thought you might be one to share my interest in a stock build. Stu

 

That's how I see it, too. The problem with Julie's opinionated (and many times incorrect) arguments are that they're permanently etched into our grey matter, and he/she will never completely go away. Ever.

 

My guess would be it's a pulsation damper, which in this case probably means just an orifice. Great idea, further reduce vacuum???

Were those used only on 6-bangers?

 

Yes. And I'll guess for more years than my cited references cover.

Please pause while I go to the 57-63 Chassis Catalog.

Yes. B8A 17595-A is listed for F-100/600 six cylinders 1957-1960; and for P-100/500, same years, with description "used with vacuum booster brakes". Stu

 

Stu, thats looking absolutely beautiful. You are an inspiration!
Keep up the good work. I hope someday to have something just 1/10th that nice

 

My 51 was built in the Richmond, CA plant, is a 5 Star Extra, and has electric wipers. That's all I know about it.

 

Totally off base , but , My 53 Pontiac has Vac wipers . It has a dual action fuel pump . Top bit is a vac pump , bottom is the fuel pump .

 

My 52 was also built in Richmond. Is not Extra and has electrical wipers. Maybe it was a plant thing or if they had extras on hand??? No one will ever know. However, in keeping with a truly stock resto, it's best to follow the print in the original literature.