VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 47 Chevy Vacuum Wiper Question

Hello Everyone, I have a 47 Chevy Convertible that is in the final stages of restoration. The wipers work slowly and do not complete a full travel on the windows. The vacuum wipers have three vacuum lines at the switch on the dash, one from the manifold and two lines from the switch to the vacuum motor. If I want to use Gene's lubrication method, I assume I need to move the switch to the "on" position for ATF to reach the motor for lubrication. Just confirming before I try to lubricate the motor. Thanks

The switch does not have to be in the on position as moving the wipers will suck the stuff in. Best to get the"stuff" in and let it sit over night to soften the old hard grease.

Marvel Mystery oil or automatic transmissiom fluid work well.

Thanks Gene

I used automatic transmission stop-leak. In my situation it was a NOS Trico wiper motor specifically for a ‘37. Because it had never been used the grease had not been wiped back and forth and there was no hardened build-up.

The motor worked very well when the windshield was wet. That is a key point, especially if your wiper blades are old and hard. They create a lot of friction on the glass and can actually scratch it. I used glass polish on my windshield and it really helped.