Has anyone converted an early GM from a fuel-only pump to a dual action, fuel & vacuum pump?
Do they actually improve wiper performance?
How do you hook them up? I read in another forum that the existing vacuum line from the manifold gets connected to the INLET of the vacuum pump, and the OUTLET from the vacuum pump connects to the vacuum wiper motor. I also found a diagram that shows a check valve on the wiper motor with two connections: one for the line from the manifold, the other for the line from the vacuum pump. I've looked at quite a few sites, and I cannot find any info on the vacuum check valve...
This is for a buddy with a '58 Chev 1/2 ton with 235 CID six (same guy who has the '53 Pontiac with the new starter solenoid).
Taylor55 said
Aug 22, 2016
Just use RainX. It is not worth the cost and work to convert the fuel pump to a dual action. I use my 55 with vacuum wipers and I have coated the windshield with RainX and I haven't had any concerns with the vacuum wopers. I just drove 60 miles in a heavy downpour on Fri. and had no vision problems with the vacuum wipers and RainX. A conversion to an electric wiper motor is more practical.
Al
66 Beau said
Aug 22, 2016
He's got to replace the fuel pump anyway, so was thinking it might be worth the extra $30 for the dual action pump. His wipers do stop when he's pulling up a hill (this is in BC). Has to lift off the gas to get a wipe in so he can see. He may have a small vacuum leak somewhere - I haven't checked it over (and likely a good idea before he does too much). The RainX is a good suggestion - I'll pass it on to him.
He looked at going electric, but the conversion kits I saw were knocking on US$400, and installation looks like a real joy. It isn't a simple matter of swapping vacuum motor for an electric one. It looks like the entire system gets replaced.
GLHS60 said
Aug 25, 2016
Some older systems T into the distributor vacuum advance to sense low Engine vacuum, then the fuel pump took over.
Otherwise any vacuum the pump provided would just get consumed by the Engine.
Just going from memory but that's how I remember how some worked.
Have to find a schematic ...
Thanks
Randy
MoboMac said
Sep 20, 2016
66 Beau wrote:
He's got to replace the fuel pump anyway, so was thinking it might be worth the extra $30 for the dual action pump. His wipers do stop when he's pulling up a hill (this is in BC). Has to lift off the gas to get a wipe in so he can see. He may have a small vacuum leak somewhere - I haven't checked it over (and likely a good idea before he does too much). The RainX is a good suggestion - I'll pass it on to him.
He looked at going electric, but the conversion kits I saw were knocking on US$400, and installation looks like a real joy. It isn't a simple matter of swapping vacuum motor for an electric one. It looks like the entire system gets replaced.
That's just the way it is....with vacuum wipers going up a hill........You might try a small vacuum storage tank...in the line as well...I played with that concept years ago....but don't recall how successful it was...
Did you consider trying to retrofit a 5 6 7 chev electric wiper motor?
KiwiStarChief said
Sep 20, 2016
These replacement electric wiper motors from Newport Engineering are great value, at a little over $200. I fitted one to my Star Chief, and would thoroughly recommend it.
My neighbour went with the vacuum/fuel pump. He's installing it now - had some other issues to fix before he can fire it up. He looked at the electrical route, but apparently it involved replacing all the arms & mechanism. He wasn't too keen on that - not a fun job. The fuel pump needed to be changed anyway, so hopefully he's got two birds with one stone.
I'll post an update once he gets it running. Hopefully it'll be good news.
long stroke said
Sep 20, 2016
In any of my many 1950's cars, i never had any use for vacuum wipers. Electric (original) wipers is the best way to go but the quick cheap would be to do what Al said to do. Rain X does work well but i find that it sometimes smears the windshield. Going the updated modern electric conversion with all those lever arms is beyond goofy. I try to stay out of the rain but very seldom on occasion i have been caught and my factory original electric wipers work just fine.
Has anyone converted an early GM from a fuel-only pump to a dual action, fuel & vacuum pump?
Do they actually improve wiper performance?
How do you hook them up? I read in another forum that the existing vacuum line from the manifold gets connected to the INLET of the vacuum pump, and the OUTLET from the vacuum pump connects to the vacuum wiper motor. I also found a diagram that shows a check valve on the wiper motor with two connections: one for the line from the manifold, the other for the line from the vacuum pump. I've looked at quite a few sites, and I cannot find any info on the vacuum check valve...
This is for a buddy with a '58 Chev 1/2 ton with 235 CID six (same guy who has the '53 Pontiac with the new starter solenoid).
Just use RainX. It is not worth the cost and work to convert the fuel pump to a dual action. I use my 55 with vacuum wipers and I have coated the windshield with RainX and I haven't had any concerns with the vacuum wopers. I just drove 60 miles in a heavy downpour on Fri. and had no vision problems with the vacuum wipers and RainX. A conversion to an electric wiper motor is more practical.
Al
He looked at going electric, but the conversion kits I saw were knocking on US$400, and installation looks like a real joy. It isn't a simple matter of swapping vacuum motor for an electric one. It looks like the entire system gets replaced.
Otherwise any vacuum the pump provided would just get consumed by the Engine.
Just going from memory but that's how I remember how some worked.
Have to find a schematic ...
Thanks
Randy
That's just the way it is....with vacuum wipers going up a hill........You might try a small vacuum storage tank...in the line as well...I played with that concept years ago....but don't recall how successful it was...
Did you consider trying to retrofit a 5 6 7 chev electric wiper motor?
These replacement electric wiper motors from Newport Engineering are great value, at a little over $200. I fitted one to my Star Chief, and would thoroughly recommend it.
Here is the link to one on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Port-Engineering-1955-56-Chevy-Passenger-Car-Windshield-Wiper-Motor-NE5556CP-/331361080956?fits=Year%3A1955%7CMake%3AChevrolet
I'll post an update once he gets it running. Hopefully it'll be good news.
In any of my many 1950's cars, i never had any use for vacuum wipers. Electric (original) wipers is the best way to go but the quick cheap would be to do what Al said to do. Rain X does work well but i find that it sometimes smears the windshield. Going the updated modern electric conversion with all those lever arms is beyond goofy. I try to stay out of the rain but very seldom on occasion i have been caught and my factory original electric wipers work just fine.