Re: Very slow wipers...

Posted by BH On 2010/10/22 18:00:23

Though I've heard that American Motors vehicles were still equipped with vacuum wiper motors well into the 1960s, it's hard to imagine the choice being simply a matter of production cost for Packard.

My guess is that as additional electrical equipment was added over the years, Packard vehicles were approaching the limits of generator output (or management thereof), and they went to vacuum power ro reduce the load on the electrical system.

Properly serviced and with an auxiliary vacuum source, the vac-powered wipers seem adequate to me. Yet, I wouldn't consider any conversion to an electric motor for my V8s other than the OE Trico unit, as used on some 55-57 Chevies (or quality reproduction thereof).

It appears that owners of 6-volt vehicles have no other choice but a modern aftermarket conversion to electric.