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Any wiper motor function experts? Lighter alternative questions.

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Old Feb 2, 2016 | 11:52 AM
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Default Any wiper motor function experts? Lighter alternative questions.

I'm running out of ideas to take weight out of my '69, and I keep noticing that big heavy looking wiper motor assembly sitting up front and up high. I'd like to replace it with something later and lighter, but mainly lighter. I'm looking for information regarding the non-obvious details that need to be addressed to swap out to a smaller setup. Any help in this area would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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Old Feb 2, 2016 | 01:28 PM
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Think "Street Rod" wiper motor.
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Old Feb 2, 2016 | 11:13 PM
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The problem is the park mode.... Nobody makes a new smaller motor w/ that feature.

If you want to modify your firewall- I have a solution.

Many GM 90's cars- Buick/Olds/Caddy have the smaller motors.

I attempted to make this motor work- as I wanted to add a real delay feature . However-when the wipers are parked- the motor is clocked vertical. The arm has the same spline- fairly easy to do IF you mod the firewall...

If you are interested - I have several around- and can weigh the difference.



Here's my thread on it-

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-wipers.html
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Old Feb 2, 2016 | 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard454
The problem is the park mode.... Nobody makes a new smaller motor w/ that feature.

If you want to modify your firewall- I have a solution.

Many GM 90's cars- Buick/Olds/Caddy have the smaller motors.

I attempted to make this motor work- as I wanted to add a real delay feature . However-when the wipers are parked- the motor is clocked vertical. The arm has the same spline- fairly easy to do IF you mod the firewall...

If you are interested - I have several around- and can weigh the difference.



Here's my thread on it-

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-wipers.html
Thanks Richard. I've been reading a whole bunch of old wiper motor threads lately trying to get a better feel for the park function requirements and how it's done in the wiper gearbox (I'm slowly figuring it out). Your first sentence confirmed my fear that the park function would be a significant sticking point when trying to find a replacement wiper motor.
I'll read through your thread tomorrow, and see if I can get a bit more comfortable with this project. Thanks.
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Old Feb 3, 2016 | 08:57 PM
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If you are THAT bent on weight reduction...ditch the whole system, use RainX...
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Old Feb 3, 2016 | 08:57 PM
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Basically the park moves the center of rotation- to pull the wipers down.

You can see in this pic- when parked the smaller motor is clocked vertical to park in the same position as our cars.



Here's my mod- using the new delay board w/ the old motor-

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Old Feb 3, 2016 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by mikem350
If you are THAT bent on weight reduction...ditch the whole system, use RainX...
I am that bent on weight reduction, but it's a licensed street car and there's periodic vehicle inspections for licensing.
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Old Feb 3, 2016 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard454
Basically the park moves the center of rotation- to pull the wipers down. Thanks for the confirmation. That's the only way/method I could picture in my head for rotating the blades down a touch further prior to the cover closing.

You can see in this pic- when parked the smaller motor is clocked vertical to park in the same position as our cars.


I'll confess you've lost me there, as I'm having difficulty picturing how the smaller motor would be clocked vertical.
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Old Feb 4, 2016 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 69427
I'll confess you've lost me there, as I'm having difficulty picturing how the smaller motor would be clocked vertical.

And I confess- meant horizontal!!!

The smaller motor is clocked HORIZONTAL to get the park gears in the same orientation.

Sorry....

Here's how the motor would have to be mounted in the Vette to park...firewall mods needed.

OR -if not using the wiper door - you could mount over on pass side- the actuator area - and just make or get some linkage from the junkyard.

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Old Feb 5, 2016 | 08:07 PM
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I Also wanted modern pulse Wipers , so I adapted the Wiper motor from a 84 Z-28 and added the necessary wiring to a 84-89 Corvette Wiper Switch . I purposely left the wires way long on the Wiper switch because I'm not sure where I'm gonna mount it yet. Everything works as it should Pulse , Washers , and Wipers . Better function and loose a pound or two, whats not to love with this mod ?

Adapting the Motor to the Car was easy , I removed all 3 mounting studs from the metal plate riveted to the body , drilled the 2 on the drivers side on center for bolts and on the passenger side drilled the plate to match the new Motor. Re-rivet it to the body and everything mounted up like it came that way from the Factory . Some new wiring and you are done .

Sorry for the Pics they were the best I have of this , and its to dam cold to go outside and take new ones.
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