As most of us know, these old vacuum wiper motors are old, are wore, are not working very well and need work.  Some time ago I made a tool to fit the goofy heads of those little bolts that hold these things together, pulled one apart and took the paddle out, it has thin leather around the edge.  The problem is, these leathers are supposed to be loose, free to move and be pulled against the area it moves back and forth in, the vacuum pulling the leather to the body, sealing it as it moves and giving full vacuum power.  Here's what I did to loosen my leathers, I filled a container with Neat's Foot shoe oil, put the paddle in and let it soak for a couple of days, then took it out and VERY carefully lifted the edges of the leathers a little, being careful not to break or crack them, then soaked again, did the same again and soon they were free and back to what they were like in the '50's.  I coated the inside area with a light grease, then put it back together again.  Also, clean and oil the little spring and flipper valve, make sure it clicks and shifts back and forth when you move it thru' cycle, with luck your motor might make those wipers do quite well again, mine did.  Vacuum wipers are FAST when they're right, much faster than electric replacements.
warren

Warren, thanks for the tip about a careful rebuild with Neat's foot oil. In the past I have read articles that used brake fluid to soften the seals and get them working. I do not remember the exact details but the plan was for the vac motor to suck in the brake fluid to lubricate the paddle and discharge the fluid into the intake manifold while running. Your method seems to be a permanent and cleaner fix. Properly working vac wipers with the fuel pump assist work fine. I have driven cross country a number of times in a 56 and 59 Ford many years ago when these cars were not new but were 10 and 20 years old and the vacuum wipers worked just fine.  - Bob

AKA   Bob-93021

Bobwanna is correct on the brake fluid thing.  ATF was also used. 


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I've used air tool oil with success. 

Doing this with brake fluid and other without taking them apart might work in some cases but these motors are OLD, the leathers are stuck in collapsed position for years and years, the quick-fix has never worked for me and if you want them really fixed and working like new again the only way is to bite the bullet, do it the hard way, soak that paddle for awhile and get them loose again so they suck to the working surface again and seal as they move.  It's the vacuum that seals them but they have to be supple and loose.   Little for me has ever worked the easy way, maybe I'm jinxed .... ouch....
Warren
PS:  These's an old saying:  Them that can fix stuff always ends up doing do.

Does anyone sell rebuilt units?

Paul J. - '57 E Code

Did the brake fluid trick on my 56 and it worked GREAT! Wipers are responsive and never skip a beat now.

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Canadian.. After you sucked up the brake fluid, how long did you let the fluid sit in the wiper motor before starting the engine. Also did you disconnect the vacuum line to the heater at the tee where it goes to the wiper motor? Thanks

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Actually, all I did was (as per instructions) was to disconnect the vacuum hose under my hood and place it in a fruit jar full of brake fluid. ( I placed a pan under the dash to catch any leaking fluid) I then had a friend manually work the wipers back and forth until it sucked up all the brake fluid. I left the pan underneath for a day or two and minimal dripped out. (the paddles must have soaked it all up!) The wipers have worked great ever since! They used to periodically stall on me before.

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Thanks. Guess I have no reason not to try it. After I bought the car I tried the wipers an the were sluggish so I lightened up the springs on the wiper arms and that helped. Hope mine work as good as yours...

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.