Wiper conversion

[geraldchainsaw]

ssince i have lots of time,  nothing to do,  i like using rain x,  even though i changed my wiper motor system to a newer aftermarket,  the car never gets driven in winter,  has only seen rain once since i owned it,   stays in the garage winter and summer, covered,  only thing i have to wash r the white walls,  could have left the orig vacumn system in,  but it probly was one of those times i had time to kill,  just like now, wish i had something more constructive to add,   jerry

[6cyl57]

Zap,
   As you know my car probably gets more rain on the windshield than any 57 being driven today....

mine ie probably a close second  .  I have been folowing this thread closely.  I too have rain-x my windshield.
Has anyone looked at the late 80s or 90s ford mini-van? they sweep like the 57s. But I haven't looked into the
linkage and/ or motor setup.

[wighty]

I am curious how Gasman converted the two wiper transmissions on his Specialty Power Windows Wiper Kit.  I could not get them to fit in the cowl space.  Because the 57's rest position is pointing to the center, one of the transmissions has to be upside down from the other.  I finally just used one of the transmissions and mounted it in the center with linkage going out to each of the wipers.  So I have one transmission driving both wipers.  I would prefer to use both transmissions as it was designed.  Do you have any pictures that you could share?  I know that it is in an area that is hard to get at for picture taking.

[redshoes57]

I am using the specialty wipers also.My car is still under construction. We have had installed but because we doing other things to the car. W e have taken it back out. I have been using this same system on my 36 Ford 3w coupe for about 16 years and it works good. Gasman is right. Its better to install wile you are building.

[Zapato]

The SPW system to me is really not much different from the Lucas system. So it probably works better than some others and allows the motor and gearbox to be mounted away from the masts simplifying things under the dash.

And as has been stated most of these improvements are better [easier] done during construction and with the dash out. For many different reasons.

Zap-

[gasman826]

Doing it for the first time, I tried straddling the fence and not do anything that I couldn't undo.  I got pretty frustrated and finally jumped in with both feed.  There is barely room for the SPW transmissions to fit between the inner cowl and the outer cowl.  I finally had to go ahead and drill out the OEM transmissions like the directions said.  I also trimmed the SPW boxes as much as possible to get them to fit without cutting or bulging the inner cowl.  Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures during mock-up of the transmissions.  I will take pictures when I do finally assembly which I am getting very anxious to start.  This system is very flexible.  For early cars with no under dash space, one can get optional kit accessories to put the wiper gear box motor in the trunk!  If you squint your eyes at the picture, my location for the wiper motor may infringe on the OEM glove box space and I had to cut a little access space out to allow for installation of the transmission cable to the transmission box on the left side.  I will take some pictures of the firewall.  NO HOLES!!!  It is all smoothed and there will be an injector stack right where the windshield wiper motor used to be.

[rmk57]

The wiper motors in these conversion kits are just boat wiper motors. Mine was about $75. 2 speed
110 degree sweep, self park left or right. Just had to make my own mounting bracket.

[gasman826]

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.

Great picture of the '60 wiper motor conversion.  I think the '58-'61 or the '57 Chevy wiper motor conversions are the cleanest and quickest conversion out there.  I would have went this way except for the injector stack thing. 
Did mention injector stacks before??  May need to add a breathalyzer on the login page!

[57AGIN]

Guys:

Over the years I've heard a lot about the electric windshield wiper motor conversions, both positive and negative.  I've had the one offered by Concours Parts on my 57 since putting it on the road after its first rebuild in 2004.  It is the two speed version and I've never had any problems or difficulties with it.  I consider it one of the better upgrades I've done on 57 AGIN.  The only negative goes back to the fact that the modern wiper systems have the blades working in tandem with each other, both going to the left together and to the right together.  This seems to give a much wider field of view than does the old style having come on our 57's. 

Through out this post there have also been numerous references to using Rain X on the windshields.  It is a great product, but if you plan on taking your 57 and running it on the drag strip, it causes a problem.  Not because it makes the windshield slicker and the car go faster.  But, when the track officials try to put your class and competition numbers on the glass, the shoe polish used just won't work very well.  No really big deal, but something to add to your field of knowledge.  lol

Bob
57 AGIN

[Frankenstein57]

Here are some shots of what is needed to use the 58 linkage arms, bezels,and inner cowl section. You also need to modify the defrost duct to put the motor under the dash. I have decided to cut my losses with this rust bucket body, in favor of a cleaner Nevada body.When I install the cowl piece I'll post pics.  Mark

[RICH MUISE]

Finally some pics...thanks for posting those Mark. As often as we've talked about that conversion, I don't think anyone has ever posted pics of it before.

[Tom S]

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.

I should probably take you up on that 58 motor. At least I'd have a spare to look over & see how it works & about rebuilding it if doesn't work any better than mine.  But I'm still thinkin' about it.    There is a very good chance that I have another 1 or 2 vacuum wiper motors buried in my tons of junk.

That 71 Bronco wiper motor I mentioned goes round & round not back & forth but I still may see if I can adapt it since it's fairly compact. I can get a new one for ~$50 to $75. Those 59 to 61 electric ones seem pretty scarce & or pretty spendy & the aftermarket kits are even more spendy.
In fact, I can't find a 59-61 wiper motor on line right now.

Almost forgot!  Is there some reason you can't post those pix on this board?   

[hiball3985]

I'm sorry my memory is getting so bad but I don't remember my last 57 (1971) having vacuum wipers, where they all vacuum? My present Ranchero has electric, looks stock, no mods that I can see. It has one wire and the cable actuates the off/low/high..

[RICH MUISE]

Yup...all were vacumn from the factory

[hiball3985]

Yup...all were vacumn from the factory

Thanks Rich. I was only able to recall my 54 Chevy and how I hated them, don't recall hating the Ford, I guess they worked ok. I sure wish I had taken more pictures back in those days..