New guy here. Just purchased a 1955 Holiday 88. One of the many things I need to get the car street legal is working windshield wiper blades. How does one check the motor? It appears to be vacuum operated.

 

I have a 1955 olds convertible that has been restored as orignal and if I were to do it over again I would convert it to electric.Mine won't work well enough to be reliablle with both wipers attached.If I get caught in the rain I have to remove the passenger side wiper to get home on.I can't find any vacume leaks and all parts have been rebuilt or replaced.I have been told that the electric unit out of a 1957 will bolt up with little adaption but I have not seen this modification my self. Hope this helps.....Tedd

 

I don't know if you have solved your problem but here is a guy who can rebuild your wipers.

http://www.wiperman.com/

 

Or you could go this route, which is what I plan for my '46.

 

Dont go nuts trying to find an electric unit out of a '57 because the first year for electric was '59 anyways ( at least for Oldsmobile ). I agree that these vacuum wipers suck and I'll think you will be much happier with an electric conversion..or Rain-X

 

Vacuum wipers suck? Very punny!!