Hi There

I just took delivery of my first classic car - 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, imported from California recently - I live in the UK.

The dealer I bought the car from had fitted a new vacuum pump for the windshield wipers and fuel pump, but the wipers barely move. Does anybody have reference diagrams/pictures for the pipework, from the vacuum pump / manifold/carb to the wiper motor mechanism? (Pictures attached)

There seems to be on top of the vacuum pump 2x pipe connections. 1x pipe is connected to the windshield wiper motor mechanism. However the other 1x pipe connection appears disconnected/nothing attached.

I noticed a metal tube from the Rochester 2 valve carb, looks like from a diaphragm on the side of the body- not sure if that is supposed to link up to the Vacuum pump (hence the poor air pressure) or just left free unconnected to anything? I can't see any manifold connection unless I have missed it....

The fuel lines and fuel delivery side of things are fine.

I can wipe faster with my hand it's so so slow... Appreciate any ideas please??

Thanks

 

The picture of the line at the wiper motor looks correct.Remove that line and attach a hose that will be long enough to to be submerged into a jar or bottle containing brake fluid. insert lower end of line into jar of brake fluid ,then slowly move the wipers by hand,back and forth manually(car not running). Do this several times. Drawing the fluid into and out of the wiper motor.Careful not to let any brake fluid get on painted surfaces.Remove line and bottle of Brake fluid,re-attach vacuum hose, start car,turn wipers on ,and check for improvement. This process just softens the seals ,and usually helps speed the wipers up. Larry

 

It's also pretty easy to take the unit apart and clean it by hand. If it's never been apart, it will be filled with a waxy hardened grease. Before you can separate it, you have to pull that side cover and remove the pieces inside. Take a photo of them, so you know how they go back together.
Clean it out, and add a little hydraulic oil for lubrication. If the gaskets are bad, a kit can be found on eBay.


Cheers, Jerry

 

Jerry, what did you use to remove the screws(strange looking heads on them). Mine is working decent right now,but I might want to rebuild it later ,and didn't want to totally destroy the screw heads getting them out. Larry

 

I just use pliers. The odd looking screws are a pain, but they do come right out. I imagine a small enough socket and a nut driver might work, too. I used needle nose pliers, and the screws turn out with fingers once they are a little bit loose.

 

Another thing that will always always help is to put Rainx on your windshield.

 

There's a video at Mattts Old Cars American Restoration .com (vacuum wipers)that might come in handy for anyone wishing to clean up or rebuild Trico vacuum wiper motor. X2 on the Rain X. The leather seal inside can be softened up with 100% Neatsfoot oil, then dry all excess off before reassembly.It is the absolute best for softening and conditioning dry or hardened leather seals.I used it when rebuilding my Treadlevac booster. P.S. Thanks for the comeback Jerry ,I will experiment with the small socket,and I read on another site that the larger Schrader valve removal tool ( like they use on Automotive AC ) works well Larry

 

That other connection should be connected to intake manifold vacuum.
The pipe near the carb may be it , if it has manifold vacuum.

 

Yes Charlie, the line that is seemingly connected to nothing in picture 1, should connect to the fitting on left side top of fuel pump(empty port in picture 2 . There's only one hose that connects to the wiper motor. Larry

 

X2. If none of this works try this http://www.newportwipers.com/. Looks so original that only you will know it's electric and it's pretty easy to install, works every time no mystery or drama when you need them...Tedd

 

Cheers Larry, Tedd and Jerry.

For the Hydra-matic drive problem it's got, I had the car recovered on Friday just gone and taken away to a classic auto gearbox specialist nearish to me in the UK...

So once it's back I will look to strip the wiper motor down and get a new pipe from the Carb tube to the vacuum pump.

Unfortunately it's going to be a few weeks yet until I suspect until I get the car back, depending on what they find wrong with the tranny.

Will keep you folks posted on progress.

 

Before you strip the wiper motor down, connect the vacuum pipes up properly and make sure you have at least 18 to 20 inches of vacuum at the motor.
The missing pipe may be your only problem.