Vacuum wiper questions
Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Vacuum wiper questions
Gentlemen,
For the last several weeks the normally dray arid desert climate of New Mexico has been broken with rain, lots and lots of rain. Heck, this morning the humidity was at an unheard of 80%....ugh.
Well, I've been putting of working on the wipers for too long. My 49 originally had vacuum wipers on the drivers side only. My plan was to make dual wipers and I even have an assembly from a 51-52 truck (but it looks like it will interfere with underdash components) Last night I dug out my vacuum wiper motor and figured I'd clean it up and install it and at least have some kind of wipers.
Ok, here's the question; how does it work?? the vacuum motor has to fitting on either side of the control switch. 1 port is approx 3/16" and the other is maybe 1/8". I know I need to have a manifold vacuum input to the motor. Which port does it go to? what goes to the other port?
Any tips, tricks, suggestions, snide comments, rude and belittling remarks, smart-alec comebacks, etc, etc, etc is greatly appreciated
Bobby
For the last several weeks the normally dray arid desert climate of New Mexico has been broken with rain, lots and lots of rain. Heck, this morning the humidity was at an unheard of 80%....ugh.
Well, I've been putting of working on the wipers for too long. My 49 originally had vacuum wipers on the drivers side only. My plan was to make dual wipers and I even have an assembly from a 51-52 truck (but it looks like it will interfere with underdash components) Last night I dug out my vacuum wiper motor and figured I'd clean it up and install it and at least have some kind of wipers.
Ok, here's the question; how does it work?? the vacuum motor has to fitting on either side of the control switch. 1 port is approx 3/16" and the other is maybe 1/8". I know I need to have a manifold vacuum input to the motor. Which port does it go to? what goes to the other port?
Any tips, tricks, suggestions, snide comments, rude and belittling remarks, smart-alec comebacks, etc, etc, etc is greatly appreciated
Bobby
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
The best control I've found over the years for vacuum wipers is a piece of 1/8 in cotton rope strung from the drivers seat out both vent windows to the wiper blade.
When attached properly you can steer with one hand and use the other hand to make the wipers work.
PS: most often I've had to resort to hooded sweatshirt strings cause I forget to rog it up proper.
When attached properly you can steer with one hand and use the other hand to make the wipers work.
PS: most often I've had to resort to hooded sweatshirt strings cause I forget to rog it up proper.
Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
LOL
I guess thats what I get for asking for any comments.....
...although I can see that it just might work, Heck it only rains out here every now and again
Bobby
I guess thats what I get for asking for any comments.....
...although I can see that it just might work, Heck it only rains out here every now and again
Bobby
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
While any source for the vacuum will work, the best is the fuel pump. The backside of the diafram used to pump the gas is used to create vacuum for the wipers. That way you have a constant supply that does not go away when you open your throttle.
OOPs, just now remember that you are not stock in the engine compartment - not sure if you can get a fuel pump for a caddy with those connections built in.
On your wipers, one side should go to inlet air (filtered - remember it does go into your engine,) and the other to your vacuum source.
OOPs, just now remember that you are not stock in the engine compartment - not sure if you can get a fuel pump for a caddy with those connections built in.
On your wipers, one side should go to inlet air (filtered - remember it does go into your engine,) and the other to your vacuum source.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 785
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From: Canada
Vacuum wiper questions
Bobbytnm
With regards to your wiper question, your'e right the 51-52 assembly will interfere with your under dash useage. As far as I know the only thing that I can recall that it will interfere with is the instalation of an original radio.
As for the original vacum wiper assembly, they work great if they are serviced every so often. If you have had it apart and cleaned it inspected it to make sure there are no holes in the diaphram and then re-assembled it. Now add a little vegatible oil to the wiper motor and work it back and forth several times.
Now that this is done you should have a good working wiper motor. The vacum line should be hooked to the rear of the carb, as you will see a port for it. This is hooked to the larger of the 2 ports to the wiper motor. The smaller one is the air vent, and should be left open. It wouldn't hurt to maybe put a small piece of either cheese cloth or screen over it to keep out unwanted debris.
When accelerating the vacum does drop like when climbing a grade. You can over come this by puting that original useless oil filter to use by converting it to a vacum reserve tank, and still keep the original factory appearence under the hood. Once you have completed this you will be amazed at just how well the old vacum wiper system does infact work. By the way replace the old vacum hose with a new one, their cheap, hope this helps.
With regards to your wiper question, your'e right the 51-52 assembly will interfere with your under dash useage. As far as I know the only thing that I can recall that it will interfere with is the instalation of an original radio.
As for the original vacum wiper assembly, they work great if they are serviced every so often. If you have had it apart and cleaned it inspected it to make sure there are no holes in the diaphram and then re-assembled it. Now add a little vegatible oil to the wiper motor and work it back and forth several times.
Now that this is done you should have a good working wiper motor. The vacum line should be hooked to the rear of the carb, as you will see a port for it. This is hooked to the larger of the 2 ports to the wiper motor. The smaller one is the air vent, and should be left open. It wouldn't hurt to maybe put a small piece of either cheese cloth or screen over it to keep out unwanted debris.
When accelerating the vacum does drop like when climbing a grade. You can over come this by puting that original useless oil filter to use by converting it to a vacum reserve tank, and still keep the original factory appearence under the hood. Once you have completed this you will be amazed at just how well the old vacum wiper system does infact work. By the way replace the old vacum hose with a new one, their cheap, hope this helps.
Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Thanks guys,
4tl8ford -- what?? a straight answer?? say it isn't so
***** -- LOL. yup, I'm not exactly a stocker. I have an electric pump supplying my big Caddy with fuel. I remember years ago with my 59 Ranchero having to let off the gas to get the wipers to complete their cycle. Maybe I'll plump in a vacuum reservoir in the system when I hook it up.
5 Star -- Thanks for the tips on fixing up the original vacuum motor. I used my hand help vacuum pump last night to see if it would work at all. It does move but I think I do need to pull it apart and clean it all up.
I will eventually work on getting the 2 arm set-up installed in the truck and adapt a late model wiper motor to it but I would like to have something in there and working right now in case I get caught in the rain.
Thanks again
Bobby
4tl8ford -- what?? a straight answer?? say it isn't so
***** -- LOL. yup, I'm not exactly a stocker. I have an electric pump supplying my big Caddy with fuel. I remember years ago with my 59 Ranchero having to let off the gas to get the wipers to complete their cycle. Maybe I'll plump in a vacuum reservoir in the system when I hook it up.
5 Star -- Thanks for the tips on fixing up the original vacuum motor. I used my hand help vacuum pump last night to see if it would work at all. It does move but I think I do need to pull it apart and clean it all up.
I will eventually work on getting the 2 arm set-up installed in the truck and adapt a late model wiper motor to it but I would like to have something in there and working right now in case I get caught in the rain.
Thanks again
Bobby
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
They are a bit pricey, but there are remote drive wiper motors available for underdash space challenged vehicles, you could even mount the motor behind a kick panel or above the headliner.
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Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
AX,
I've seen them advertised and they sound really cool, but you know me...
....I'm too much of a tightwad to shell out the big bucks. Heck, 4tl8ford's sweatshirt string is almost free.
Bobby
I've seen them advertised and they sound really cool, but you know me...
....I'm too much of a tightwad to shell out the big bucks. Heck, 4tl8ford's sweatshirt string is almost free.
Bobby
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
btw, if you really want to make it electric - use a electric fuel pump as your source for vacuum. Seen a guy do that for the power brakes on his deisel F350 when he didn't want to pay dealer price for a new vacuum pump!
Last edited by WillyB; Aug 8, 2006 at 02:35 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Bobby,
Since I'm "almost" as cheap as you are
, I went with vacuum wipers on my truck. It already had the linkage for both wipers but one of the wiper pivots was frozen beyond use. I tried to use a 51-52 system I got from Nathan but that requires that you cut out the 48-50 dash supports. I didn't want to do that at the time so I pirated one of the 51-52 wiper pivots and used it with the 48-50 arm. Since then I have taken the 48-50 dash supports out anyway so I could have used the 51-52 assembly as is. My Chrysler power brake booster has a secondary vacuum opening on the plastic fitting that goes into the booster so I tapped that for my vacuum source. So far it seems to be working great. Eighty percent humidity in NM?
Vern
Since I'm "almost" as cheap as you are
, I went with vacuum wipers on my truck. It already had the linkage for both wipers but one of the wiper pivots was frozen beyond use. I tried to use a 51-52 system I got from Nathan but that requires that you cut out the 48-50 dash supports. I didn't want to do that at the time so I pirated one of the 51-52 wiper pivots and used it with the 48-50 arm. Since then I have taken the 48-50 dash supports out anyway so I could have used the 51-52 assembly as is. My Chrysler power brake booster has a secondary vacuum opening on the plastic fitting that goes into the booster so I tapped that for my vacuum source. So far it seems to be working great. Eighty percent humidity in NM?Vern
Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Vern,
OK, cool, I'm not nuts (well, maybe not totally) I kinda held up the 51,52 dual linkage and couldn't see how it could fit with the dash supports. For now I think I'll stuff the single pivot vacuum wiper motor in place. That should keep me driving until I can fabricate a dual pivot set-up.
Yup, 80% this morning, which makes it muggy as all heck right now. This is very unusual for us, especially since we havent really had a wet season for several years now.
Bobby
OK, cool, I'm not nuts (well, maybe not totally) I kinda held up the 51,52 dual linkage and couldn't see how it could fit with the dash supports. For now I think I'll stuff the single pivot vacuum wiper motor in place. That should keep me driving until I can fabricate a dual pivot set-up.
Yup, 80% this morning, which makes it muggy as all heck right now. This is very unusual for us, especially since we havent really had a wet season for several years now.
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Bobby, once it dries out around here, why not head down to Pic-A-Part and scrounge an electric vacuum pump out of a GM product (I am sure Caddy used them?) No more slow wipers on hills (although I doubt that Caddy engine even notices anything less than the Grand Canyon).
Thread Starter
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
4tl8ford,
I wouldn't expect anything less than a good chewing out if it were to be found in the manual (I know how you feel about the manuals) I checked my manual too but the vacuum schematic for the Cadillac didn't offer any clues....LOL
Ross,
Maybe if I drag my feet long enough it will dry up and I won't have to worry about wipers until next year. Yea, GM used an electric vacuum pump on most of the fancy vehicles starting around 1985 or so.....good idea
I have 2 vacuum wiper motors at home, I tried them both last night just to see what they would do. It seems like they both suffer from the same malady, they work real good for half of the cycle and then bind up. I took one of them apart to clean it up and see if could be made useable. That sweatshirt cord is looking better and better
Bobby
I wouldn't expect anything less than a good chewing out if it were to be found in the manual (I know how you feel about the manuals) I checked my manual too but the vacuum schematic for the Cadillac didn't offer any clues....LOL
Ross,
Maybe if I drag my feet long enough it will dry up and I won't have to worry about wipers until next year. Yea, GM used an electric vacuum pump on most of the fancy vehicles starting around 1985 or so.....good idea
I have 2 vacuum wiper motors at home, I tried them both last night just to see what they would do. It seems like they both suffer from the same malady, they work real good for half of the cycle and then bind up. I took one of them apart to clean it up and see if could be made useable. That sweatshirt cord is looking better and better
Bobby