1948 / 1951 wiper question

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Oct 11, 2020 | 03:34 PM

Bob Ingram

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Fleet Mechanic

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From: Hillsborough NJ

1948 / 1951 wiper question

My 48 has a single wiper and a vacuum motor that’s not working great. I may be able to fix the motor but I’d like dual wipers. I can live with vacuum wipers, perhaps adding a canister and/or vacuum pump. The problem is locating the linkage. The 48 and 49s have the wiper motor on the left above the instruments, 50 to 52 in the center. I’ve found a linkage and motor on eBay and the seller says it’s for 48-52, however the motor is in the center and “should fit”.

i suspect he’s correct and it will fit, but I thought I’d ask this amazing panel of experts here.

this is the listing https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-1952-F...9111%7Ciid%3A1

What say you all?

thx

Oct 11, 2020 | 04:31 PM

FortyNiner

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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin

I say you'll be cutting some existing radio supports and making new ones for the wipers.

Oct 11, 2020 | 05:33 PM

leonharu

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From: Cherryville,N.C.

Bob,this is on ebay for sell but pricey.Does your original wiper motor have set-up for this?You could get your motor rebuilt at Ficken Wiper Service.Check with First Rider and he might have or locate the set up you need.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-to-195...0AAOSwoqZfQGUW

Oct 11, 2020 | 06:13 PM

Bob Ingram

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From: Hillsborough NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by FortyNiner

I say you'll be cutting some existing radio supports and making new ones for the wipers.

i thought that might be the case. That’s not what I really want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonharu

I haven’t looked at the existing wiper setup yet, but I suspect it does not. I’ll take a look. That’s the first I’ve heard of Ficken, I’ll take a look.

Oct 11, 2020 | 06:33 PM

fordf348

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From: near Philadelphia Pa

Years ago my father was asked why he only had one wiper, his answer was.....how many do you need?
Ed
near Philadelphia

Oct 11, 2020 | 07:20 PM

52 USCG Panel

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From: Deerbrook, WI

I have one working wiper and use Rain-X. The first day of my recent cross country adventure there was rain almost all day--sometimes hard. Surprisingly, one wiper was all that was needed. Rain-X works better than you might expect.

My 52 actually has two wipers. I had my vacuum motor rebuilt by Ficken in NY several years ago. The first year after the rebuild I ran two wipers, but coming out of winter storage for the second year, the wipers seemed to lack power and were a little erratic in their movement. I removed the passenger wiper arm, and I'm satisfied with the decision. If I drove my truck in the winter, I'd want two wipers, but the way I use my truck, one is fine.

I think the problem with my rebuilt wiper motor is that it needed to be oiled. I think I read that lubrication is needed several times a year. I've been oiling my wiper motor and linkage regularly now and it probably does have enough power to operate two wipers. I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking Ficken, because from everything I heard about them, they are well respected for doing quality work.

Jim

Oct 11, 2020 | 08:16 PM

bobj49f2

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

The dual wiper will fit the '48-50, I had one in my '49 F-2, I don't remember having to cut anything under the dash but I removed it because I installed a stock radio and the dual wiper motor sets what the radio mounts.