Wiper conversion

clusterbuster · 2013-01-16 20:21

I finally got my windshield wipers working fairly decent. About a month ago I bought a Vintique brand conversion kit and the thing wouldn't park the wipers. Sent the unit back to the manufacturer and they said nothing wrong with it, but adjusted it and and sent it back to me. Still wouldn't park. Finally they gave me my money back and I bought another brand made by York Industries. Put it on and it parks nice and works perfect on low speed. When putting it on high speed, the right side wiper stops for a moment at 12 o'clock and then proceeds to continue on it's travel. I wet the glass down good when trying them. Anyone know if the cable tensioner can be adjusted, or do I basically use them on low mostly? I have ziltch experience on the wiper drive system in the 57.

JimNolan · 2013-01-16 20:35

Clusterbuster,
I've got the original wipers on my 57 but I use a 57 Chevy elect wiper motor. Don't, Don't let the wipers wipe on dry glass. The tension is spring loaded. There's not much of an adjustment that I can see on it. When that wiper stops you aren't slipping the cable is getting tight in one place and loose in another. I've jumped pully's twice that way. If it jumps it'll probably be the one right there at the motor. Just take your plate off and you'll see it fastned to the other side of the plate. It's easy to fix but it's a pain in the ass. I just wait until I need the wipers all the time to use them. I run Rain-X so I wait until it's comming down pretty heavy. They are old you know.

clusterbuster · 2013-01-16 20:42

Thanks Jim. Not sure I know what plate you are talking about. Do you mean the black rubber inspection hole cover on top or something else?

clusterbuster · 2013-01-16 20:46

Jim, upon thinking about it a bit, I think you mean to pull the motor off and the plate behind it. Don.

JimNolan · 2013-01-16 21:27

Right.

gasman826 · 2013-01-17 08:12

I had one of the Vintique brand electric conversion motors. The economy conversion motors do not have enough power to pull the wipers back from the wrap around part of the windshield. So the sweep is shorter to offset the weaker motor. Other than that, it worked fine. I dumped the entire OEM system for aftermarket to eliminate the motor from the firewall. As far as adjustment, there is none. The idler pulleys have spring tensioners. The cables are timed and staked in the drive pulleys and transmission shaft pulleys on the cowl. The service manual has a partial page on cable R&R. All the access panels and plugs have to be removed and still challenging. About the only service item would be to make sure the cables are flexable. The cables will corrode and become stiff or take a set.

clusterbuster · 2013-01-17 09:20

Curious Gasman of how you dumped the OEM wipers and eliminated the motor from the cowl. Never have have seen that system, or don't you have wipers?

Zapato · 2013-01-17 12:36

Clusterbuster, send me a e-mail and I'll forward you pictures on how its done with Ford parts, Best done when you're building as it means cutting and welding under the dash. using 58-61 parts. Really the way ford should have done it. IMHO all the aftermarket solutions are adequate at best and anything using a cable/pulley system is a prime target for failure.

Zap-

Zapato · 2013-01-17 15:18

I have pictures sent to me by ''e code ragtop'' on the HAMB that cover the 58 conversion. If anyone would like to see them they can be forwarded. Not the easiest conversion but the best out there. Hard to beat OEM engineering even if they missed out on this one.

The 55 chev motor works and its been done forever [did one myself in '69] but you're still dealing with cables and pulleys. plus tri5 parts are seldom cheap.

I'd do a Lucas speedometer wiper conversion before doing the tri5, again OEM quality. Well if quality and Lucas can ever be linked together.

Zap-

JimNolan · 2013-01-17 15:53

Zap,
As you know my car probably gets more rain on the windshield than any 57 being driven today. The cable system for windshield wipers would be comical to me if there was anything funny about it. But there isn't. I found out that limited use of the system is best and if you'll just buy a little orange bottle of rainX and apply it as recommended, you'll not even need wipers 99.9% of the time. I've driven in some mighty strong rains without needing wipers. The windshield of a 57 isn't like a new car, you've got a limited space that the windshield wipers actually move in to begin with. Now, if I parked it outside in snow and ice and depended on it to get to work every morning I'd put more relivance in having a modern day wiper system. Just my take. And, if I'd known what I do now when my car was going through restoration and my dash was out, I'd revamp it in a heartbeat. Damned old cable system. Jim

Zapato · 2013-01-17 17:28

Jim, you're absolutely right the time to do it is when its torn down and the dash and windshield are out. Any other time would be bordering on self abuse.

Zap-

Tom S · 2013-01-17 22:56

Quote from: Zapato on 2013-01-17 15:18
I have pictures sent to me by ''e code ragtop'' on the HAMB that cover the 58 conversion.

My Ranchero is actually a '58, so what did he use for a wiper motor once the '57 is converted to a '58 system?
I hope it's something cheap & easy to get. My '71 Bronco wiper motor burned up somehow & I took it out. Whenever I get around to it I want to see if it can be adapted to the 58. The 58s vacum one is about shot.

Zapato · 2013-01-17 23:37

Tom, you need a 59 thru 61 electric motor, 59 was an option so its really 60-1 where you should focus on. shaft will need shortening a bit. send me an e-mail address and I'll forward the pictures. I believe that I have a 58 motor [not 100% sure] that you can have for postage. Came out of the car that supplied me the needed 58 hardware. I for sure will ever use it can only guess if its good.

Zap-

Ford Blue blood · 2013-01-18 08:08

Here is a shot of the 60 motor in my Wagon. Used a spacer, longer screw and a short sleve to bush the mounting hole on the 60s mount. Used the stck 57 control cable from under the dash, just routed it out a different hole in the firewall.

gasman826 · 2013-01-18 08:13

This time around, I am changing out the entire system and using Speciality Power Windows (SPW) wiper kit. With new transmissions, cable in tube drives, and adjustable swipe motor, this system is very smooth and quiet. A add-on intermittent upgrade is also available. I have mocked up the kit only...no windshield. I have no more water diverters, no cables and pulleys, no access panels in the firewall, and no wiper motor hanging on the firewall. All access is through the fresh air intake panel and under the dash. Unfortunately, it does require modification to the car. I would not recommend attempting an installation on a finished '57 Ford.

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Wiper conversion