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Posted By: MickeyMickey vacuum wiper part - 04/23/20 01:17 AM
I'm looking for the metal piece that fits under the dash and has the knob attached to turn on the wipers. I'm returning my '48 sedan to vacuum wipers and have a motor but not this part. Please let me know if you have one you are willing to part with. Thanks
Posted By: boy_named_sue Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/11/20 02:15 AM
I might. Still need it?
Posted By: Mike Danner Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/11/20 08:20 PM
I was just going to start a new thread about this very same subject, so I'll just tag my issue onto this one. Now that my gauges are out and off for repairs, I can easily get to my vacuum wiper control, which is leaking. The wipers still work, but when I turn the control to "off", the wipers quit and the leak starts. I know it's the control leaking, as I can put my fingers on it and almost make it quit. I had it out and apart, and it seems to me that there should be a gasket between the two "halves" of the control. I see no information in my '48 service manual covering this. Does anybody know what the inside of this switch should look like, and does it have a thin gasket?
Posted By: ruscar Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/11/20 09:26 PM
[Linked Image from pic100.picturetrail.com]

No gasket. Just clean and make sure their is no trash between the two pieces. Might stretch the spring a little to put more pressure on the fit.

As to the leaking. When the wiper is off, their is a constant vacuum through the wiper motor (small hose) to hold the wipers in the "park" position.

Might read this old thread.
https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/255408/re-wiper-motor-vacuum-1948-hoses.html#Post255408
Posted By: Mike Danner Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/12/20 12:32 AM
I'll try your suggestion, then I'll probably end up blocking off the park feature like the above thread indicates! Thanks for the great info!
Posted By: Mike Danner Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/13/20 05:56 PM
OK, I tried plugging the small line that provides the vacuum for the park feature. I plugged at both the motor and control ports. Still hissed when off. I reached out to the Wiperman and he recommends ditching both the motor and control and replacing them with a new motor with a cable operated switch. The switch will have to be mounted in a non stock location, keeping the stock switch as a dummy. Has anyone done this and what did you think of it? Wiperman no longer provides a block off plate conversion for these motors. Is there any better solution to this problem? Wiperman says this particular Trico design for 46-47-48 Chevy's is no good...This is most frustrating, as I'm trying to keep this car as original as possible.
Posted By: ruscar Re: vacuum wiper part - 08/13/20 08:18 PM
My two cents. Since your motor works, keep it. You blocked off the small port and still hear the hiss through the switch. That tells me air is probably entering by a gap in the two halves because of slight wear, warp or crack. Take the piece with the 3 ports and drag it across a fine file or fine sandpaper on a flat surface just to clean it. Go easy! Get the two pieces to fit and apply a light coat of grease between and put it back together. Install and enjoy.

Best of luck!

Oh, make sure the hoses are good and tight.
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