I am rebuilding a 54 3100 and my customer wants to upgrade the wipers to electric from the original vacuum. I am looking for a unit that is virtually a bolt in option. Is this Newport brand a good option or are there others to consider? Thanks for your opinions. Phil
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
Not in my experience. Pretty must standard procedure for any aftermarket parts on these trucks. Cussing, tool throwing, call your wife names under your breath which she mysteriously hears even though she has you "on ignore" all of the time. These things are where all the fun is. When you get it in right, you have bragging rights with your friends if you have any left because you are too grumpy to be around anymore since you took up this hobby...
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
52 Carl, Thanks for your reply. But you did use the Newport motor and it looks like you had some difficulties but we’re able to work them out, so would you recommend this modification or some other part?
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
I am rebuilding a 54 3100 and my customer wants to replace the vacuum wiper motor with an electric wiper motor. I am converting the truck to 12 volts. I’m looking for opinions on the best electric wiper motor to replace the vacuum motor. Thanks! Phil
EDIT BY MODERATOR: This post was double posted in another thread. Moved to keep both questions separate and get tailored responses.
Last edited by Phak1; 01/08/20243:02 PM. Reason: Moved from another thread to keep them separate for better responses
Do it right the first time! 1964-1/2 Mustang Coupe 1969 Mustang Mach 1 1954 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton
I have installed 2 New Port electric motors on a '50 and a '52. Neither one of them were plug and play. Each one took several hours. One of them required a call to New Port where I discovered that the control lever on the motor was clocked wrong from the factory. The guy walked me through how to fix that. It was not a joy to do either one of them, but the end results are nice. It would be nice to add a rheostat of some sort to obtain infinite variable speed though.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
52 Carl, Thanks for your reply. But you did use the Newport motor and it looks like you had some difficulties but we’re able to work them out, so would you recommend this modification or some other part?
I don't know of any other company which offers them.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
LMC sells their own brand. I put one in my 58 and it works well.
I can't comment on whether or not it would be a simple install because a previous owner committed some very creative butchery before I got under the dash.
I have installed two New Port Engineering electric motor kits as well, both on 1954 Chevy trucks, and had few issues. Working under the dash on these trucks is not one of my favorite pass times but very happy with the results. Be sure you get the correct 1954 Chevy Truck kit. The 47 to 53 kits are different. I believe the USA built GMCs are different again due the different dash.
In my earlier post I said I had few issues with the installations. To be clear I had no difficulty with the installations, everything installed and worked as described by the manufacturer. Your experiences my very. There are other manufacturers. Classic Parts of America offers 6 and 12 volt kits for 47 to 53 trucks and ones specifically for 1954 Chevy trucks. They do not specify New Port Engineering but offer an import brand and made in the USA kits. There is a difference in price, about $100 more for the USA brand (the USA kits I received were from New Port). I have not personally seen the import kits so I can not comment on the quality differences if any. I was very happy with the New Port kit so I purchased again. Other vendors offer similar options.
Culled from previous posts on import replacement wiper motors, you can expect that the choke cable will cause interference with the motor. Not the case with the Newport wiper motor.
It’s also been suggested to install the motor before you install the glovebox, radio and heater so you have more access.
Phil Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals
1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes Project Journals Stovebolt Gallery Forum
PHILS2888, I installed one on my 51 a few months back. I did it while I was rewiring the truck. Had the gauges out as well as the dash grill and glove box door off. Sat on a milk crate reached threw the openings. I did think it was to bad of a job. Work perfectly when I was done. Only thing I wish I had at the time whenvI did it is the replacement rubber bushings for the arms.
Jeff 1964 Chevrolet K10 Fleetside "A Kid's First Truck" Follow in the DITY 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Follow his build in the Project Journals 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible | 2020 Chevrolet Silverado | 3500 Duramax | 2021 GMC Sierra Denali USAF Veteran 1983-1987 | PSP retired 1990- 2012
I put one in my 47. I had the front cowling vent out that made access to the arms and motor a little better. I had to adjust the crank on the motor shaft in the stopped position so the left and right arms did not click when they ran and had the proper stroke. After the adjustment it works very well. No noise and full movement of the blades. They park correctly too.
