Weak Windshield Wipers
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Weak Windshield Wipers
On my '55 F-100, it seems like the windshield wipers are pretty weak, especially while accelerating. What can I do to correct this problem? Also, is anyone aware of a good site to get a reliable rebuilt carburetor for the 239 Y-Block and a site for older ford truck parts in general? I've found plenty of sites for older truck parts, but it's always nice to be able to price compare... Thanks!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
I know that electric wiper motors are available if you have a vacuum driven unit now. I'm not as familiar with the modern trucks like yours (post 1952) so I'm not sure if your came with a vacuum wiper motor or not.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,958
From: Rio Rancho, NM
hippyman,
Welcome to the board!! How about getting some pics of the ol' girl so we can see what you got?
Yeah, the vacuum wipers are a pain in the rear. I think you can pull the vacuum motor assy off, tear it apart, clean it up and get some more life out of it. I read something about it recently but I've slept since then and I can't remember where I read it.
When (and if) you take it apart...
the housing is a half moon shape with a wiper that pivots from the top middle and is moved (sucked) back and forth tripping the vacuum selector to direct the vacuum to the other side of the houseing. I think that you could clean up the inner part of the houseing and relube the felt wiper and get more life out of the unit
I think the article I read used vaseline for a lube but don't quote me on that. Maybe our moderator knows...
Heck, George knows everything
good luck with it
Bobby
Welcome to the board!! How about getting some pics of the ol' girl so we can see what you got?
Yeah, the vacuum wipers are a pain in the rear. I think you can pull the vacuum motor assy off, tear it apart, clean it up and get some more life out of it. I read something about it recently but I've slept since then and I can't remember where I read it.
When (and if) you take it apart...
the housing is a half moon shape with a wiper that pivots from the top middle and is moved (sucked) back and forth tripping the vacuum selector to direct the vacuum to the other side of the houseing. I think that you could clean up the inner part of the houseing and relube the felt wiper and get more life out of the unit
I think the article I read used vaseline for a lube but don't quote me on that. Maybe our moderator knows...
Heck, George knows everything
good luck with it
Bobby
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Another idea: A fellow I know with a 50 F1 only uses one wiper (the driver side, of course). He says it is a fine setup and has driven in driving rain up hills with no problems. Apparently, half the load is exactly what the old dear needs.
Rebuilding and lubing it will certainly help also.
Rebuilding and lubing it will certainly help also.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Originally Posted by Randy Jack
Another idea: A fellow I know with a 50 F1 only uses one wiper (the driver side, of course). He says it is a fine setup and has driven in driving rain up hills with no problems. Apparently, half the load is exactly what the old dear needs. Rebuilding and lubing it will certainly help also.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
Another solution is to get an electrical vaccume supply, run the wipers on that instead of off the carb or intake. I'm gonna do that with mine, and I hope it comes out alot cheaper than the 150.00 to 175.00 I've seen for the electrical wiper conversion.
Electrical vaccume supplies are also used with cam'ed up motors that have poor vaccume to assist the power brakes.
Ed
Electrical vaccume supplies are also used with cam'ed up motors that have poor vaccume to assist the power brakes.
Ed
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 351
From: Mandan, ND
Two other possibilities: See if you can get a dual action fuel/vacuum pump, I'm not sure they were available in 1955; you can check in the various catalogs. The other possibility is a vacuum can. These store vacuum and could possibly be hidden out of sight. These vacuum canisters can be found on many Ford products of the 70s. They look like a large soup can. This is providing, as others have suggested, your wiper motor is in good working order. Check the vacuum hose and all connections to make sure you don't have any leaks.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 45
From: Minnesota
Actually the 1948-1952 had a single wiper from the factory the second was an accessory. It could have been if you got 2 windshield wipers you also got the vaccuum fuel pump to go with it.
Originally Posted by fatfenders56
How cool is that? ''If it doesn't work as designed, try doing it half-way''
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 9
From: Thornton, Colorado
Years ago, I a friend had a truck that worked fine with rain but didn't work with snow. He took the e clip off the linkage, and at the first site of snow he would disconnect the passenger side. Not real fun for the passengers, but I would reach under the dash every once in a while and manually wipe the passenger side. After 3 years of that he got a different truck and put his good engine in it and found one of the ring seals that slip into the intake manifold, and the block had gotten crooked when we built the engine. He replaced that ring and they worked fine in the new truck. He also replaced all the hoses, but I still say the ring was the leak.
Broomfieldbum
Broomfieldbum
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
NAPA is a good source for many 55 F100 parts. I got a rebuilt carb there as well as most all brake parts.
My original electric wipers work when they feel like and are quite slow.
Carpenter, Mid-50's, Obsolete Ford Parts,LMC, National Parts Depot & Hot Rod's (in Ohio) I have used them all!
Fred
My original electric wipers work when they feel like and are quite slow.
Carpenter, Mid-50's, Obsolete Ford Parts,LMC, National Parts Depot & Hot Rod's (in Ohio) I have used them all!
Fred
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,014
Likes: 9,958
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Originally Posted by e william
Another solution is to get an electrical vaccume supply, run the wipers on that instead of off the carb or intake. I'm gonna do that with mine, and I hope it comes out alot cheaper than the 150.00 to 175.00 I've seen for the electrical wiper conversion.
Electrical vaccume supplies are also used with cam'ed up motors that have poor vaccume to assist the power brakes.
Ed
Electrical vaccume supplies are also used with cam'ed up motors that have poor vaccume to assist the power brakes.
Ed
Good luck
Bobby
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