1950 Special Deluxe Wiper questions

[raystewart]

Hi, new to the forum and flathead Mopar world, just bought a 1950 Special Deluxe and searching for info on the vacuum wipers.   I have looked all over the web and searched forums but can't seem to find much info on the wipers.  Bought a reprint of the factory manual 1946-54 version but there is nothing in there about the vacuum wipers.  Previous owner said the wiper motor was bad and there was a spare in the trunk, turns out the motor is out and in the truck, no spare.  So I have 2 problems, one, wiper motor does not reverse, you apply vacuum and it sweeps on way and doesn't toggle back.  If you shift the lever it returns.  I'm not quite sure what is not functioning, but it seems pretty strong in the one direction it moves.   Problem #2, I don't have a clue how it mounts once I get it to work, does anyone have an exploded view out there or an idea where I might find one?   Thanks in advance for any info or suggestion!

[dpollo]

The toggle is what makes the unit reverse and it is very delicate.   Usually a bit of WD 40 will limber the internal paddles. It it does not travel far enough in one direction, the toggle will not trip.

Removal of the radio panel reveals the WW location.  the arms are on the firewall side of the motor and there are two studs on the body to engage the mounting flanges of the motor.  New grommets for the arms can be easily made from radio shop type grommets.

[rhelm1953]

I had the same problem with the wiper motor on my 1950 Special Deluxe (P20) and I was not able to get the vacuum motor to work. I took it apart, cleaned it and got it to reverse on the bench with no load applied but in the car with wipers attached it was a "no go". I finally converted to electric using an aftermarket unit from Newport Engineering. It was a direct bolt in but because it is 12V only I also had to install a 6V to 12V transformer. the conversion was not cheap but now I have wipers I can depend on and since I live in the Pacific NW that's a must! I've attached a couple photos that may help with the mounting question.

[casper50]

I've had vacuum wipers before.  They suck.  So on my 47 Dodge I bought an electric unit off of a 48 Chrysler.  It will bolt in.  Haven't got that far in the rebuild as of yet but on the bench it works very nice.  2 speed and won't bog down when you accelerate.  Got two off of ebay. Much cheaper than a 12 volt conversion and still period if that matters to you.

Edited August 3, 2016 by casper50

[raystewart]

Hi guys, thanks for your kind and quick replies!   I'm aware of the limitations of vacuum wipers and my only hope here is to make an emergency functional wiper for the time being.  The conversion to 12V neg ground is in the future but stabilizing the body and getting some paint on her is the next step after just getting everything functional.  I'm even considering pulling the right wiper blade just to relieve the pressure on the motor since the only time I expect to use the wipers would be a pop up storm.   Anyway, back to the motor, I've pumped penetrating oil into it and it seems to be quite a bit stiffer with your finger over the hose barb so I assume I am rejuvenating the internal seal pretty well.  My next question might be a stupid one, but here goes; what is the lever on top of the motor for?  I can see a small rod or cable attaches to it, is this the on/off or is this what causes it to change direction?   I've looked around under the dash for whatever attaches to it but don't see anything yet.  Pulling the radio is clearly the answer to many of my problems but I'd like to know what I am looking for.  From reading the owners manual it acts like the knob on the top of the dash will "adjust" the speed, so I've been operating under the assumption it controls the flow of vacuum to the motor, but could be wrong.  I've pulled the tombstone shaped cover off of the side of the motor and the round thing underneath does turn back and forth, I can see something under it that appears to be a seal perhaps, and it looks intact.  

 

Again, thanks for any info or tips.  I hope to be back out on it tomorrow night or Saturday when I will pull the radio, I've also got to get some lights back to working and replace the speedo, so that big foot square hole in the dash will certainly help!

[_shel_ny]

It's an on/off situation.

 

If controlled by a knob or cable it is the same.

 

Turn knob- moves lever on top.

 

My understanding...........The vacuum pulls the internals to a certain point where a port is uncovered reversing the vacuum pull direction. Paddle in the wiper reaches the limit in the other direction,  and it starts over again.

[raystewart]

Hmmm, after a day of soaking I now get it to cycle on way with the lever in one position, the other way with it in the other position like if there were a rod or cable hooked to one of the wipers it would cycle it.  There is one of the bigger car shows this weekend here, so Saturday morning is booked, but I hope to get the radio out Saturday afternoon and maybe I can see more that will lead me in the right direction.   Maybe one of the literature vendors will have something on this system.  I'm stunned at how little documentation there seems to be on these vacuum systems and disappointed that the factory manual doesn't have anything in it either. Oh well, if it was easy to do old cars, everybody would be doing it!  Thanks to all and any further info appreciated. 

[_shel_ny]

Moving the lever to the other position is like shutting the wipers off and will cause it to return to the starting point. To me it sounds like it is not traveling far enough to open the port for it to return back the other way.

[jhm1mc13]

After playing silly games with my vaccuum wipers and pricing a repair I made the smart decision to buy a Newport Engineering unit, which works great.   As I think back on my restoration this may be the only time it didn't take three times as much money, tries and time to fix an item.

 

Jim M

[raystewart]

Alas, I figured it out!  There is a small tang broken off the round disc that rotates under the tombstone shaped cover.  Got the radio out and can see the mounts and cable so I think I'm on the way to getting them to a basic function.  Now, hopefully I can find a motor for parts or drill a hole in that disc and drive a roll pin in to function as the tang.  Heading to the car show in the morning, wish me luck!

 

Thanks to all who viewed or made a suggestion, I hope to be of service to others some day as I learn more about our flathead Mopar.   

[Niel Hoback]

If you send me a picture of the broken part, I will see if I have one to send you for the postage.