Greg -
BLACK BRACKET: The black bracket holds the unit to the dash with two bolts through the top of the dash ... that you mentioned as a dead giveaway indicator of factory electric wipers. The two ears on the the motor/transmission housing bolt to the bracket under the dash that is used for vacuum wipers. A total of four bolts hold the motor and transmission to the dash.
BUTTONS: I didn't open the wiper motor case. However, I did open the case of my 6v heater motor just enough to look in. Wires were attached to each of the four dimples on the end of the motor. I don't about electric motors, but I got the impression that they were circuit wires. The 6v wiper motor, 6v heater motor, and 12v heater motor from a '60 Chevy each have four dimples.
WIPER ARTICLE: The wiper article was a few years after 1954. The '54 wiper may have been a little more primitave. It's interesting to see the mechanical switching circuits inside to park the wipers. There is a resistor attached to one leg of the two speed switch to produce the slower speed.
MY BROKEN PIECES: You betcha - I'm not gonna throw my wiper motor away! I'll keep my eye open for similar parts to use for repairs. My truck is not a daily driver. Driven in the rain only if I the weather man's forecast was wrong. So I can take my time looking for parts.
FWIW- I know this subject has been beaten around a lot, but I wish the truck had not been converted to 12v by a previous owner. My interest lies more in preservation, than in being a daily driver. I approach the preservation of our 100yr old house the with the same purpose.
I looked at the pics of your '54 in
your album. The finned valve cover and dual carb manifold with two oil bath air cleaners is WAY COOL!
Thanks again for your interest in my wipers. Hope that I gave some insight.
- Lonnie
