Hi!

I recently got this Oldsmobile 68 4-door, 1948, 257 cui straight 8. One of the problems I'm having is that my wipers won't work. Living in a country like Sweden where it often rains during summer that is not a hit. When activated the wipers jerk a bit, sometimes move like an inch or two, but that's it. So, I guess the vacuum is busted – hopefully, the lines are torn or something like that. But, I don't know if the lines are actually set up correctly as it is and therefore I would like to "start over" and redo all the lining, making sure all hoses are air tight. The previous owner had never cared to get the wipers to function and knew nothing about it. Several things in the engine bay seem plugged and since nothing of it has been done by yours truly, I don't know if something part of the vacuum wipers has been wrongfully plugged or not. So, what connections should the wiper-system have to be properly set up? Does anyone have a diagram or something like that to share?

Thanks!

 

No one who got an idea of the vacuum line order/setup for em 40's Olds with 257 cui engines?

 

It seems odd that no one is chiming in to try and help you.
You mention that they jerk a bit which would indicate there is some function and they are not totally broke. Could you upload a few photos of your engine compartment? Maybe there's something I could see that I could help with. Also, could you show a photo of the fuel pump?

 

on my 49 i put some atf in the vacuum motor and now they work pretty well

 

Have you ever looked into getting the repair manual? https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/...ir-Shop-Manual
It looks like there are some original paper copies floating around out there.

 

I have a 48 98 and here is how mine are run. I assume that you have the two sided fuel pump. The lower part is the fuel pump and the upper side is a vacuum assist pump for when the intake manifold vacuum is low such as under acceleration. See the pics . There is a steel line that runs from the intake manifold down to the forward side of the vacuum assist pump. There is a rubber hose that runs from the back side of the vacuum assist pump directly to the wiper motor.


Wiper motor

Steel line circled

 

Thanks! I'll take some photos and come back.

 

Yeah, I'd thought of that and will do that, though I'm currently a bit low on cash and have to prioritize a bit.

 

There you go! As you can see I have two lines on the fuel pump plugged off. Also visible is the intake manifold steel line, which leads to a line through the firewall and into the compartment, onwards to the vacuum motor. The latter seems to be in good condition.

Fuel pump and intake manifold.

 

I guess it's pretty hard for people to take decent pictures that show all of what you are trying to show to help solve a problem.
Mark Desing describes the fuel pump function and how the lines are supposed to be hooked up although I can't see it on his pump to discern if the lines are connected to the left side or the right on the top of the pump.
More than likely your fuel pump needs to be rebuilt (based on what you say of your ownership), at least the vacuum side of it that connects to the wiper motor in order for it to function. Here's a video of a rebuild of a similar pump (if not the same) and he shows how to test the function of both sides of the pump to make sure it's functioning properly. As you can hear in the video the company ('Then and Now Automotive') sell the rebuild kits and or rebuilt pumps and describes how to identify which pump you might have.

 

Thanks, mate! That is a very informative video. I'll save it for future reference. But yes, it's hard to get good photos of the pump without really getting down there, but I sure will have to do that to figure out what model it is, if it is a complete mockup, or what's going on. It works well regarding the fuel; I have no issues starting and driving, but as said – what is plugged and why are questions to answer.

 

In the video at line time 26:45 I can see IN embossed on the side below the hole. On the other side of the piece he is holding it looks like the OUTLET side rises above the surface. On my pump the inlet line goes to the heater inside the car and the outlet is connected to manifold vacuum.
In my repair manual it instructs how to test the vacuum side. Where it says heater or a//c insert wiper control.

 

Okay, well, I don't have any heater and the heater **** is just an empty ****. Seems like they have just gone straight from pump to motor.
But as said, when I find the time, I'll try to follow all the lines from end to end and see how it looks and what is and what's not.

 

If all this fails, you might consider a Newport electric system. It is a direct replacement and can be a quick and reliable system that is not dependent on vacuum. Keep your existing fuel pump just replace wiper motor and add a electric hot lead. On my 55 I use the existing on -off switch and most can't tell this conversion from the original if you are worried about originally.... Tedd