I considered converting to electric wipers but found that the kits are
anything but foolproof, often don't fit without modification, interfere
with other stuff under the dash, and as Bill said, they are not cheap.
So, I found the wiper transmission pieces I needed anyway and in the
process located a NOS vacuum wiper motor for a reasonable price. I
installed the new stock pieces and with a new Carter double-action fuel
pump (the one with the vacuum pump) from NAPA, I found that the wipers work
fine.
With my foot to the floor, pulling a hill at 0" manifold vacuum, the wipers
still make about 70 beats per minute with enough power to wipe wet, sloppy
snow. This is the stock setup with no extra vacuum tank. They are quiet,
which electric wipers are not, don't add an electrical load and are
infinitely adjustable eliminating the need for an extra intermittent
circuit if you want intermittent wipers.
I say save yourselves a lot of hassle and stick with the stock setup. Most
of the reason people hate vacuum vipers is because the ones they have are
worn out. Just replace your wiper motor with a NOS or reconditioned one and
make sure the vacuum section on the fuel pump pulls sufficient vacuum with
the line to the manifold disconnected. Mine holds about 12" of vacuum at a
fast idle, less at 500RPM.
Tom Allen
51 3800
At 08:53 AM 1/7/02 -0600, Hanlon, Bill wrote:
>Electric ones are available from many of the Ole Trucks parts suppliers.
>They are NOT cheap. Heavy Chevy wants $180 for theirs.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: laurie [mailto:lauriecorbett@ns.sympatico.ca]
>Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 2:58 PM
>To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
>Subject: [oletrucks] wipers
>
>
>can anyone tell me if they used different wiper motors in there 55-59
>pickups
>i am tring to get one to fit and dont want the vacume operated one...and
>cant
>find any electric ones..did anyone swap them from any other car/truck?
>i got a wiper motor out of a 98 chevy van but dont know if i can get it
>to
>work or not
>thanks
>mike 55 second
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
Tom Allen
Seattle, WA
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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