Vacum Windshield Wipers
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ashland, KY
Vacum Windshield Wipers
Is there a way to make vacum wipers work better. I plan on putting a electric motor in one day but for now is there a way to make them work better. A guy told my you can put a drop of oil in the line and that would make them work better. Can you do this. I can turn them on and they stop when they are striaght up and down. They will go back down good but just don't want to good up good. And I need some better wipers, do I have to order them out of a parts book or is there a wiper I can buy at the auto parts store that I can get or that I can cut to fit. Thanks for any help. Scott
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Joined: Sep 2005
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I have heard you can take the vacuum motor apart and clean them out. It is said they work a little better after that. I have not driven mine in the rain to say if it does or not though.
Mid-fifty sells an electric conversion and there are some articles around here somewhere on salvage yard ones. Mine will stay vacuum for now.
Mid-fifty sells an electric conversion and there are some articles around here somewhere on salvage yard ones. Mine will stay vacuum for now.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Have you tried Rain-X? That stuff is amazing. I'm running vacuum wipers on my 48 but only for state inspection. I will never use them in the rain. I have used Rain-X for years and find that it works better than wipers especially on older vehicles with vacuum wipers. 
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
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Originally Posted by restoringmy46
Is there a way to make vacum wipers work better. I plan on putting a electric motor in one day but for now is there a way to make them work better. A guy told my you can put a drop of oil in the line and that would make them work better. Can you do this. I can turn them on and they stop when they are striaght up and down. They will go back down good but just don't want to good up good. And I need some better wipers, do I have to order them out of a parts book or is there a wiper I can buy at the auto parts store that I can get or that I can cut to fit. Thanks for any help. Scott
I use Marvel Mystery Oil, that seems to work best for me. Heard that WD40 is good too but haven't tried that. Just shoot some in the vacuum line and repeat several times as needed. It sure helped my old 41 ford out.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
One fellow I met had taken the passenger wiper off. When I asked him why, he said it was so that the wipers worked when driving up a hill. "The passenger don't need to see. They ain't drivin'"
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: oh
don't take the wiper chamber apart unless you are ready for it to spring-apart.Mine did,and I had a heck of a time getting it back together.It is sealed and wasn't even dirty inside.I wish I wouldn't have opened it up.I just bought a electric setup.That will be next.
