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I had installed a one way valve as Pete mentioned but it still failed to work when driving. We recently had snow, I'm sure Doug did as well and again the wipers didn't go.
I will first open up and service the assembly. After that I will test on a wet windshield and if it still fails I will look into a 6V vacuum pump to bolt to the fire wall.
Two questions;
If I take the vacuum line off of the fuel pump it will require some type of cover to maintain the vacuum on the fuel pump, correct?
I have a generator w/ a 12 volt battery electrical system on my ford. With this in mind if the vacuum pump is 6V can I take the hot side and go directly to the battery or do I need to tie into an existing electrical source? If so can you recommend which one? Lastly, I would also need to install a switch for the vacuum pump on the dash which thankfully I have one more push out available. thanks for all
I'm assuming that you installed the check valve the right way? Sorry to ask the obvious but . . .
I have just left both ports open on the fuel pump. It all depends upon your plumbing.
Is your generator 12v also? I'm not sure hooking a 6v vacuum pump to 12v is a good idea. Regardless you need to go through a fuse to protect the circuit.
Pete, yes I believe I had the valve in correctly because I had to do it twice.
I will check what the generator output is with a flukemeter when I can and go from there and I will fuse protect it.
That's why I wanted to take it to an existing powered unit so I could avoid doing the electrical work.
Started with the easy stuff, lubed all the moving parts in the cab.
Waiting for wet weather to try them as it's very cold to pull a hose.
TRIED to remove the vacuum unit (for lack of a better word) from the firewall but ran into the following issue; there is a piece of square stock which runs from the vacuum unit into the firewall and then is solidly attached to the wiper arms below the dash. Not wanting to break anything since I couldn't get the square stock from the assembly I screwed it back into place.
Does anyone have either an exploded view of the vacuum assembly or a little information on getting the square stock removed so I can get the unit out of the engine compartment.
MANY THANKS
Last edited by johnnyidaho; Nov 19, 2014 at 07:10 PM.
Reason: forgot stuff
In my 50 F-3 truck I tried three different vacuum wiper motors, two of which I disassembled and cleaned up and lubed. Taking it apart is easy but the gasket likes to tear. Anyway, I bought a fourth one and it works like new. What a job replacing it. Wow! If I had to do it over I would have sent my original vacuum motor to have it rebuilt before I ever put the instrument panel back in. I forgot the company's name but they bought Trico out and I think for about $100 they will rebuild your wiper motor.
I had a 53 Ford car V8 for years. It had the dual diaphram fuel pump and it worked well. I believe that one is still available but not the one for a 1950. I don't know but I think the difference may be only gas line plumbing. I have not tried it. Patrick
The company is Ficken wiper service in West Babylon NY, been rebuilding vacuum wipers for years. I rebuilt several (not F-l) years ago when you could still find rebuild kits. I would try cleaning and lubing as suggested by AX first.
The one electric system that seems to work on any Bonus Built, with radio or not, probably even with A/C, is the one that is a modification of the old British roadster systems. (Lucas or Girling?) They use a cable with a heavy wire wound around the core in a rack-and-pinion arrangement. The motor can be mounted a couple feet away, so all you have is the cable and the pivots.
Here is a photo of the assembly attached to the firewall. You will note that to the left of the wiper vacuum assembly is the one way valve I used when I tried to create a reservoir using two juice cans.
As before inside the cab it attaches to the arm assembly which drive both wipers however there isn't any way to disconnect the square stock from inside the cab;
johnnyidaho,
I just realized based on the title of your last post and the picture that you are in the wrong forum. This is the forum for '48-'56. No wonder we all are confused.
Anyway, I bought a fourth one and it works like new. What a job replacing it. 
Wow! If I had to do it over I would have sent my original vacuum motor to have it rebuilt before I ever put the instrument panel back in. I forgot the company's name but they bought Trico out and I think for about $100 they will rebuild your wiper motor.
Patrick
