Wiper Dilemma

[Merle Coggins]

OK, so it's not a critical decission, but I'd still like to hear other opinions.

My truck has a vaccume wiper motor. I cleaned it up some and connected it to a vaccume pump. After a little work, and good doses of air tool oil, it works OK.

My parts truck had an electric wiper motor. I connected it up to my battery and it too works OK.

Now which one should I use? I like the vaccume wipers for the nostalgia factor. But the electric wipers may be more reliable. Which would you use?

One thing I'm not sure of at this point is whether or not I have all the bezels and correct wiper arms for the electric motor. It uses different a attachement system. Or could I use the pivots from the vaccume setup on the electric motor?

[Reg Evans]

Merle,

Are both your trucks either 48-50 or 51-53? The 48-50 wipers are centered under each windshield and the 51-53's are farther apart. Possible only a linkage arm length difference.

I've had a few old trucks that were equipped with a vacuum storage cannister that helped the wipers work better while pulling a hill.

If I had my druthers I'd go with the elec. ones though.

[Young Ed]

Merle happen to have an extra wiper switch knob?

[48Dodger]

Since you're asking.....

If the truck is for occasional use, I say go with the vaccum. Its unique, and original to the truck.

If it's more than a "weekender", go with the more reliable electric motor.

48D:D

[townwagon]

Merle,

First of all, the electric wiper has pivots that are clipped in place, and can be removed, but the Vacuum wipers have pivots that are attached to the arms.

The arms are specific to the style of motor, and can not be swapped. This means that you need to use the electric parts on the electric motor, the Vacuum pivots you have will not swap.

Some of the electric motors came with the push on style wiper arms, and they used the same bezels as the Vacuum wipers. If you could find a set of those pivots you could use the bezels and wiper arms from your Vacuum setup.

I would collect the bits you are missing for the electric setup and use it if it works well, I think you will be much happier if you ever find yourself out in a rainstorm with your B-2-C-116.

I may have some spare bezels for the electric setup, let me know what you need, I may be able to help.

Eric

[Merle Coggins]

Thanks guys.

I may have all the bits to complete the electric motor setup. I just have to dig around in the parts truck some. Right now it's being burried under a couple feet of snow.

Both trucks are '50 B-2-C's, so they should be interchangable.

Sorry Ed, no spare knobs. Even if I go with the electric motor, I'll keep the vaccume one, with knob, as a spare part.

If I can find all the other bits for the electric one, that's probably the way I'll go. Like I said, I would like the nostalgia factor of the vaccume one, but I feel the electric one would be more reliable if caught in the rain.

Merle

[Merle Coggins]

Good News!

Last night I did some digging through a box of stuff that came with my parts truck, and lo and behold, there were the missing parts.

Now I believe that my wiping action will be electrified

Merle

[Reg Evans]

You'll be SHOCKED at how well these electric wipers work Merle

[Chuck U&R]

The real fun with vacuum wipers is when you're passing a huge truck in the rain.

The spray's coming off at 60mph, you stomp the gas to pass and the wipers stop dead.

More exhilarating than riding a roller coasted blindfolded !