The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk What option do I have to replace my vacuum wipers?

I have a 57 Burb with the old vacuum wipers. As you probably know, they stink. However, I love the action where they both wipe to the center at the same time. So how do I go electric and not change my action, linkage and all of that stuff? Did the electric drive wipers of the 55-59 Chevys have the outside to inside sweep like that, or did they sweep in the same direction? Can I just buy a conversion for them? If so, where, what kit or company, and how much? Do I just need an electric motor of that era? Help me out, I'm truly lost. Bongo

Bongo,
You should be able to swap out the vacume motor for an electric replacement and not change any of your linkage or wiper travel geometry.
check Classic Parts that is where i got mine for my 52

could also add a dual action fuel pump and increase the efficiency of the wipers. i did and is better but still not great. i also use rain-x which also helps. ron

Ron,
Yes I use rain-x it does help BUNCHES on the flat glass unless it is a downpour, most times i dont use my wipers.
Tim

Electric wipers were an option so you should be able to find an original motor. It would mount in the same location and use the same cable type switch. 55-57 are the same, 58-59 are somewhat different and use an electrical switch.
Fred

These optional electric motors for the 55-57 come up on eBay quite a bit. Sometimes they come up locally, too. You shouldn't have much trouble finding one.

I have one on my 55 2nd. They are noisy.

Another thing you can do is add a vacumn canister in your line between manifold and wiper motor. This helps to keep your wipers moving when you slow down or idle. These canisters are usually plastic black balls and about the size of a tennis ball. They are found in later model cars. Easily found at the salvage yards.

Best of luck

Send it to the Wiperman for a rebuild. It will work better than new. There's a link to his site in the "links" section,
Scott