1956 wiper problems

[Glenn davis]

My original wipers do not work. Seems alot to them with vacuum. Would it be better to change to electric and is it a major undertaking?   Thanks

[Otto Skorzeny]

How often do you drive in the rain?

If, for all practical purposes, it's never, then use RainX on your windshield and forget about it.

Have McVey's rebuild your washer system. Istalll all new vacuum lines and soak the squirter nipples (nozzles) in vinegar. When the system is all functioning properly, it will do a decent job for you.

But seriously, how often are you in need of wipers because of rain?

My system works like new but I use RainX on the windshield and never bother with the wipers, even when I'm caught in a storm.

[dan reed]

Glenn - You've probably checked some of these things already, but you didn't mention so I'll list them just in case.

Make sure the actuation cable is connected from the dash knob to the wiper motor on the firewall (mine is broken, that's why I mentioned first. If I get caught in rain I have to pull over, open the hood and turn the wiper motor on by hand) - probably easiest to have someone actuate the knob while your under the hood making sure that cable is operating the motor.  Also make sure the vacuum hoses are connected properly - maybe the shop manual has a diagram, I can't recall.   There's also the cable and pulley system under the dash which connects the two wipers to the motor - I don't know how easy it is to see any of that from under the dash, but I know if you remove the dash-pad you can get access to them. I've never had to touch any of that mechanism, but I imagine if the motor is working but the wipers are not it could mean that cable and pulley system needs adjustment or the cable has broken.     

Keep RainX in the glovebox. I make every effort not to drive in the rain, but it sometimes happens. However, not nearly often enough to spend the time, effort and money converting it over to an electric system.  The actuation cable running from the knob on the dash to the wiper motor has been broken on my '56 for nearly twelve years. I use my wipers so infrequently that it hasn't been a priority to even fix that yet.

Dan   

[JIM THOMAS CLC # 15000]

My original wipers do not work. Seems alot to them with vacuum. Would it be better to change to electric and is it a major undertaking?   Thanks ,    GLENN
DON'T BE AFIRED TO TACKLE THE TASK OF REMOVING OLD THE GREASE AND REPLACING IT WITH NEW "WHITE"GREASE.
YOU MAY CONSIDER  PLACE A QUART JUICE CAN WITH A"T"FITTINGIN THE LINE GOING TO  THE WRIPERS. (FIND DIRECTIONING IN "search" FOR MAKING JUICE CAN.  JIM

[Tom Magdaleno]

A rebuild is only a hundred bucks.  Try Ficken http://www.wiperman.com/