Wipers

I would like to convert the vacuum wipers to electric on my '50 23 series. Any advice/info on the project?<BR>Thanks. (It's 12v)

[WCraigH]

Try:<P>New Port Engineering<BR>2760 New Port Rd<BR>Washington, MO 63090<BR>(636) 239-1698<P>They make a conversion for 1951-56 (about $185 as I recall). Maybe they can handle yours. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif" border="0[/img]

Thank you. [img]<>/cool.gif[/img]

I just saw an episode of "My Classic Car" and they had a section on replacing a vacuum wiper system with an electric one from an outfit called Concourse Parts (a link to them at <myclassiccar.com>) Anyone have any info on this system. I'd like to replace the vacuum system on my '56 Exec, but also include the windshield washer system.

[WCraigH]

Here's a link to a reseller of the New Port Engineering conversino:

Electric Wiper Conversion

Here's a shot of the above installed on my 1955 Patrician:

Conversion installed

WRT the washer, you could install a generic electric one (Pep Boys, etc) and plumb it into the stock inlet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

whats wrong with just installing an auxillary vacuum pump????

Since I refuse to drive the Clipper in the rain - dirt, accidents, etc. - I haven't had the wipers on in four years. I know someone - maybe Keith - was fiddling with a separate air pump to run the wipers at one time.

[WCraigH]

Even though I posted this vac-elect conversion and have installed same on my 1955 Pat, I have yet to actually use it in rain! Of course I tend to not drive it in the rain and of course it rarely rains in Las Vegas. But my incentive was attending "Hot August Nights" in Reno in Aug 1999, where it did rain half a day and one had to drive one's classic/rod/whatever to the venue in a hard down pour. Go figure... So that convinced me to convert, just in case! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[WCraigH]

I was just looking at the tech info on the PAC website for another reason and came across a scan of the 1956 Clipper "Tune Up" specs which lists a Carter mechanical fuel pump and vacuum pump combo! The P/N is 2198S, whereas the non-vac version is M2198S. I can't find this ref'd anywhere else including the parts book and Kanter. Does anyone know about this or ever seen one? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />

This may be the fuel pump used on the 55-56 Hudson/Nash since they bought V8s from Packard. They however did not use a vacuum pump driven off their oil pump. They instead took vacuum for the wipers off of their fuel pump.

[JT]

Don't know if this is correct but I happened to see in a 1973 P.I. publication that the 55-56 Chevy electric wiper is a direct replacement for the Packard V8 vacuum one.

[WCraigH]

Yes,
1955-57 Chevy electric wipers are a direct bolt-in for the Packard Vacuum one (I've seen one installed). BUT, try finding one at a reasonable price! I tried and couldn't. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

[MBL]

I will throw this out there for what its worth. Now I don't know for sure but I was told my my friend VooDoo that GM trucks were a tad behind the cars when it came to new components. He said that you can find older wiper motors in chevy trucks from the 60's. He took one look at my vacuum wiper unit and said that it was a dead ringer for a mid to late 60's pickup. This guy knows his way around a junkyard better than anyone I know so I think I will investigate further. There are plenty of 1968 chevy trucks in the yards around here. I will let you all know how it works out.
Tim
MBL

[JT]

Craig, I wondered about the price but figured there were plenty of 55-56 Chevy's. Guess not.

[imported_PackardV8]

RE: recent oil pump thread.
do a search on wipers or on vacuum pump. There are alot of threads on this.
One option that was mentioned was to use a vacuum pump from a Gm motorhome or certain early 80's 4 cyl Gm products. I've been searching for vacuum pumps now for over 2 years and still empty handed. Hope this helps.