The wiper,washer and vacuum leak saga (journey)
Posted by d c On 2014/12/2 23:42:49
Of the few items not functional on the Clipper the wiper and washer were the ones to be addressed last due mostly to the fact that the car is driven in fair weather. The washer is certainly a luxury and since a friend had loaned me a wiper motor from his 55 gasser tribute car I was covered for the state safety inspection process and the possibility of a random shower if it occured but I was curious as to why the unit used on the Packard had such poor,weak operation compared to the base loaner model and I did want the original unit with all of the extra features functioning and back on the vehicle. Why were the so many people complaining of poor wiper performance especially on the ones used on the 55-56 Packards? Why did the doner wiper motor work so much better than the original? Why were people afraid to take on a rebuild of their own units? Was there a problem with the vehicle vacuum system or a problem with the trico motor used for this application? Why always a referral to a specialist? Were required parts for a typical rebuild really unavailable?
Upon inspection of these items several issues were evident and hopefully the info, tips and tests here will be of help to those experiencing any of the same problems.
Looking at the washer pump with coordinator and the vacuum systems I first will mention Kevs writup on the washer pump rebuild as it is detailed and should be studied first and followed if a total refirb of it is your preference. My variations on some techniques are due to my preference to disassemble and disturb as little as possible because this Mag-Nu-Matic pump is totally original in its finishes,parts and components and the goal was to renew only what was required to restore function while not disturbing items that tested good. I also want to mention the large vacuum leaks that are present with hardened disc seals in the washer pump and the wiper motor and I would suggest if you are recommissioning a 55-56 from a long hybernation you should remove the vacuum hoses that lead from the balance valve to the wiper and washer and cap off the balance valve as these vacuum leaks will cause issues in tuning and driving your packard and if your experiencing hesitation and stumble or backfire on acceleration by all means check all the items mentioned in other threads such as accelerator pump, vacuum advance,timing,fuel volume and condition, high tension spark etc but a reminder eliminate these potential leaks is also in order.
What I found in the washer pump was a rusted main spring and dirty pump chamber and the 2 small disc seals in the solenoid valve not sealing due to being exposed to the air and turning hard. The rubber not directly exposed to air and washer solvents seemed softer and still good. If a test of the cordinator control valve proved bad, it would need to be removed, rivets drilled etc so removal of everything from the cover and a full rebuild is in order. If it was good, could the solenoid and pump be restored to as new operation without disasembly-the answer is yes. see the pics and captions.
Attach file:
(112.00 KB)
(95.53 KB)
(99.17 KB)
(113.10 KB)
(96.88 KB)
Upon inspection of these items several issues were evident and hopefully the info, tips and tests here will be of help to those experiencing any of the same problems.
Looking at the washer pump with coordinator and the vacuum systems I first will mention Kevs writup on the washer pump rebuild as it is detailed and should be studied first and followed if a total refirb of it is your preference. My variations on some techniques are due to my preference to disassemble and disturb as little as possible because this Mag-Nu-Matic pump is totally original in its finishes,parts and components and the goal was to renew only what was required to restore function while not disturbing items that tested good. I also want to mention the large vacuum leaks that are present with hardened disc seals in the washer pump and the wiper motor and I would suggest if you are recommissioning a 55-56 from a long hybernation you should remove the vacuum hoses that lead from the balance valve to the wiper and washer and cap off the balance valve as these vacuum leaks will cause issues in tuning and driving your packard and if your experiencing hesitation and stumble or backfire on acceleration by all means check all the items mentioned in other threads such as accelerator pump, vacuum advance,timing,fuel volume and condition, high tension spark etc but a reminder eliminate these potential leaks is also in order.
What I found in the washer pump was a rusted main spring and dirty pump chamber and the 2 small disc seals in the solenoid valve not sealing due to being exposed to the air and turning hard. The rubber not directly exposed to air and washer solvents seemed softer and still good. If a test of the cordinator control valve proved bad, it would need to be removed, rivets drilled etc so removal of everything from the cover and a full rebuild is in order. If it was good, could the solenoid and pump be restored to as new operation without disasembly-the answer is yes. see the pics and captions.
Attach file:
(112.00 KB)
(95.53 KB)
(99.17 KB)
(113.10 KB)
(96.88 KB)
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