I have a 1957 Ford Ranchero that I restored about 1 year ago. The restored vacuum wipers lasted for about 5 minutes. I replaced them with a "Lockport" electric wipe system. 2 speed, a direct bolt on with an electric switch that looks like the original wiper knob that was used to operate a cable for the wiper function. Uses the stock wiper transmission linkage.

Thank you! I'll keep this in mind.;)

Are you trying to set up Tom for some cop to detain him for having a secret storage compartment--likely to be used for transporting illegal drugs?

Well I figured it was better for Tom if they did not find them.:D Actually the seat mount at two and a half inches is not that deep. The pictures where deceiving to me.

Some cars had a alternatives where wipers had a container to store vacuum and moderate things somewhat. Also some buicks had a separate vaccum pump combined with the fuel pumps.

Otherwise the wipers went like hades going downhill and pretty much stopped on real uphill stretches. So you took your foot off the gas for a second or two so the engine could accumulate some vacuum in the intake manifold. Got a few wiper swipes and back on the gas.

I could be wrong on the depth too.;)

Caddys had vac pumps too.

I have been thinking on the paint so hard the last few days my head is going to explode. I keep coming back to black and no two tone for the classiest look.

This thread was moved from the Open Discussion forum per Tom's request.

Thanks Paul!

The big GMs of that era had a vacuum pump built into the fuel pump so the cam eccentric was doing double duty. If the vacuum side failed you could do a "limp-home" by plumbing the wipers into engine vacuum. We often got trade-in's at the Buick dealer with that kluge and we'd have to do a fuel pump to get everything back to as-built status. My foggy old memory thinks that you could buy a rebuild kit with diaphragms and one-way valves.

Kind of off topic but maybe interesting to a few.

Dan

Yeah, I can confirm kits came that way.;)

Something to consider before final body work and paint - Rat Rod - Custom rod - fake exhaust side pipes & windshield frame <duck>

http://images.craigslist.org/00u0u_5...X4_600x450.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_4...Eu_600x450.jpg

Sixto
87 300D

I actually have considered those but only If functionally necessary.

Prep work will give you some time to really consider final paint anyways.