VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Wiper Motor (Vacuum) 1948

Can someone post a pic of the wipers at rest. Mine are laying at the bottom weather strip. The motor isn't working. Comes up about 1/2 way and doesn't return until I put the valve in the off position. I am going to use the article in the Sept G&D. He says to use brake fluid for lubricant. Don't want to do that as I am going to do it from the inside. I'm going to run the hose through ash tray hole in the dash to add the WD 40. Also installing new vacuum hoses.
Any further suggestions?

Found some pictures online that show the position. Son was supposed to come over and give a hand, but had to cancel until Thursday.
Anyone have a diagram of the vacuum lines to the switch and wiper motor. Cannot see very well under the dash.

About the only place I can think of that might have that diagram of those vacuum lines, is the "Trico Fan Installation Sheet"...I can't find mine at the moment...It must be at the shop w/the Trico fans...

I got my Manual out from underneath the short leg of the table and I see it's not in there...

Try
www.wiperman.com

He's a nice guy out of NY and I think he can and will answer any question you have

Keith has the motor been rebuilt or do you know it works properly?

Wiperman is a nice guy. He "rebuilt" my wiper motor. But, and their is a "but" he will NOT repair as is. He told me that the 46,47 and 48 is of such a "flawed design" he refuses to repair as original. He explained to me about that opening where the felt filter is, small hose I think, is nothing more than a built-in vacuum leak. When you turn your wiper switch to the off position it uses a continues suction to "hold" the wipers in the down position. He removes that plate and installs a block off plate. I had to include a written statement that I understood and agreed to such. Yes this is the truth! He also told me that I would not believe the improvement. Only down side is you have to "time" you turn off so blades are down.

I wonder if any of you have let him do this?

Keith, I have a pic somewhere IF I can locate it.
The blocked off port is/was the small hose. I am not sure this is how the vecuum hoses are supose to be installed either??? With your radio out you should be able to see what you have fairly easy (with a bright light).

Do I see a stainless speedo cable ? I thought i was the only one with one of those..Thanks for sharing that sparkling under dash shot Russell

Yes, came from COT40's 10 years ago. Problem is it's about a foot longer than the original.

Hey Ruscar -

Yes, I had wiperman redo my wiper motor on my 48 and I also had to agree that it would be OK to eliminate the park position on the motor. The wipers work beautifully now but you will have to play with switch to get them to park at bottom where they are supposed to be. Not a problem for me, just a bit of time to get them to bottom of w/s. He did a great job as far as I am concerned. If you let him do this, he will send you the old parts and than you can see why he does away with the park portion. It's a poor design and will not hold up very well.

Just my opinion here.

Jim.

Thanks for the replies.
Son came over today and we worked on it. Still the same problem. With engine running, turn on the valve and wipers make I swipe and stop. Turn off the valve and they go back to rest. Any ideas.

That is typical for either dried grease stopping the paddle where it sat for many years or corrosion at that spot. In either case if the brake fluid or WD-40 does not correct the problem then it is take it apart.

Keith, were/are you able to see where the vacuum hose coming through the firewall goes to first? Is my picture right or wrong?

Yours is correct Russ.

Not working yet. We pulled each hose on the valve and one of them had vacuum. I think we will pull the line that has vacuum and spray in the WD with the engine running and see if it will free up like a guy on ChevyTalk did.

If sprayed in with engine running it would go directly to the intake manifold. Spray in with the engine off and work the wiper by hand. This will draw it into the wiper motor.