The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Vacuum wiper conversion

coilover Glad to hear that,who is our wiper guru now,as I understand it the vacuum master has retired. Or maybe with parts we can work the mechanism's at home. Mine will wipe but stops at the extreme till you turn it off,then returns.

Fixite7, you probably should post you question separately from this one for the sake of confusion.
I'll risk taking some ire with a short answer.

Some vacuum wiper motors have a "kicker" that can age and crack.
One sweep then stops. Doesn't reverse direction.
Post your question with year truck and Trico wiper motor number if you know it.

Was looking for something else this afternoon and ran across this in the 1953 GMC Master Parts Book. Electric vacuum boosters aren't such a new idea.

The 1654, 1657 etc. numbers are just different body styles.

OP here ,

I started this thread with an inquiry about sourcing for an electric wiper unit for conversion in my '54 3100. In the course of discussion someone mentioned Ficken Wiper rebuilding. I enjoy preserving original systems and components in my modified truck , so I contacted Ficken and was pleased with the enthusiasm I received from the guy on the other end - they will happily rebuild my vacuum wiper drive for considerably less than the cost of a new electric unit. I am fully aware of the shortcomings of function of vacuum wipers ; I am old enough to have driven cars with that archaic system. That's ok by me - in fact I like it because it dates the truck. My truck will be a fair weather fun truck , not a cross country trip maker , so vacuum will suffice if I get caught on the way home. I was told that my 283 with 4 bbl Edelebrock will be compatible with the original vacuum unit. I'll get the vacuum right off the manifold , no separate pump , no reservoir.

I am quite pleased with this opportunity - I did not know that option was available prior to my inquiry here. Thanks for all the input , especially those who suggested vacuum options.
Another problem solved , at least tentatively.

I bought the Rain Gear system for my 51. My truck is my daily driver and I wanted smooth quiet reliability with intermittent ability. That’s exactly what I got. Pricey, but worth every penny I spent.

Well , my vacuum system will have intermittent ability too. Wiper motion will be quite intermittent when the gas pedal goes down .

Ha, that’s funny right there!

coilover Is there a GM diesel vacuum pump that will work for our wipers?? Your take on a fix sounds best to memy wiper moves but seems dry and stiff.

The vacuum pump that GM used on the 6.5 turbo diesel was just enough pump for the waste gate, it didn't have any other purpose and was marginal. I don't know if the Duramax uses any vacuum controls. Just my 2c

The 12v pumps that have worked best for us are from older Mercedes diesel cars; mid to late 80's. The rides we do are mostly street or resto rods so the battery is moved to under hood and the pump is mounted in the old battery box. Larger 5/16 or 3/8 rigid line is run from pump to firewall then reduced to 1/4 for the wiper motor connection. The pump is a long way to behind the spare tire in a Mercedes and there are numerous vacuum controls so the pump has enough volume for AD wipers. I can't vouch for other vacuum pumps but a reservoir is a good plan for any.

I replaced mine because the vaccum on my old motor wasn't enough to keep it going some times, not the worst job but I had to replace my choke cable, doesnt always park in the right place either, but when it rains I know its gonna work, sorta, I have a thread on here some where from last summer with pics

I just read that thread from last year. It made me feel pretty good about my decision to simply send my original vacuum unit off to Fricken for rebuild ; reinstallation should be a breeze.

I agree. Newport is good. Bolted right in my 60 c10. I wish there were better arms/blades. I have new from lmc but dont work all that well. They aren't tight to the glass. Especially on the highway.