I finally got my vacuum wipers working properly. Turn the **** and off they go. For 3 or 4 swipes. Then the passenger side over extends and locks up. Does anyone know of a way to keep the propulsion arm from moving past the peak of its arc and locking?

 

Make sure the nut on the pivot is good and tight (the one under the wiper arm). I'm not sure if the vac wiper "motor" allows any adjustment left-right, if it does that would help. Wipers have been more trouble on mine than anything else. They seem to have been an afterthought.

 

I checked that center nut and the arm attached to it. I was looking for scratching or scars to indicate the arm was moving. I didn't see anything. The nut seems tight, but probably worth another try. I didn't see any adjustment, but maybe a schematic might show something.
I just got the things working right. It was a cheap fix. While I was under the dash, during the rewire. I decided to squirt some WD40 into the motor, just to see if it might loosen up some old gunk or clear some passages. It did. The wipers are strong and do not hesitate. Maybe too strong.

 

Is it locking up or running out of vacuum?

 

It's locking. I can shut it off and try again in a minute or so, still not movement. I can't find any adjustment on any of the arms. I'm thinking one of two options.

1. remove the passenger wiper and control arm.

2. See if I can find some nylon replacement bushings to replace the rubber ones on the arms. From what I can see, upside down and sideways, the bushings are ok. But, they could be worn and I just can't see it.

I know there are some people that ave removed everything, while doing their rebuild. I was hoping one of them might have seen something to check.

 

I removed mine completely but had no trouble getting it back in and out several times. Need some pictures of your installation.

 

Are electric wipers not an option for you for originality reasons? I will say, even the electric versions are often worn out and need a lot of fiddling...mine did/do.

 

The electric wipers on my 55 F350 don't work right sometimes. The wipe like I have intermittent wipers. They wipe once then stop. Then wipe again. But when they stop , they stop in the middle of the windshield. I think the problem is a faulty switch. It doesn't do it all the time.

 

No, electric are a future project. I have to pick and choose where the money goes so the boss doesn't shut the project down completely.

 

The passenger arm has a number stamped on it. I'm assuming it's a part number.

 

I'm not sure what pics you wanted, Pete. I really can't get in to a good position to take a shot of the motor.

 

Can't tell much from those. I know it is hard to get a pix up in there. It sounds like something is binding. You might want to check to make sure that the the motor is mounted squarely into the linkage. That is a bear of a spot to get to even with the gauge cluster out. I changed the screws from slot head to Allen socket button head from Home Depot to make it easier to get started and to tighten properly.

 

[QUOTE=petemcl;17301835]Can't tell much from those. I know it is hard to get a pix up in there. It sounds like something is binding. You might want to check to make sure that the the motor is mounted squarely into the linkage. That is a bear of a spot to get to even with the gauge cluster out. I changed the screws from slot head to Allen socket button head from Home Depot to make it easier to get started and to tighten properly.[/QUOTE)

I did try to check the motor being tight, but I suppose, when it's operating, it might put more force on the mounts than I can be reaching up in there. The change in screws is a good idea anyway. Getting a ball head allen wrench in there would be a lot easier than a screw driver.