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The wipers on the 56 Packup were doing what 54 year-old vacuum wipers do--almost nothing. I had tried sucking all sorts of oils and elixers into the vacuum motor: engine oil, ATF, ATF mixed with some Lucas seal conditoner, etc. All of this was of very little effect over the past two years. With a deep sigh I sent a check and a spare wiper motor off to Ficken for rebuilding. I knew it would take a few weeks, so in the meantime tried lubricating the motor once more, this time with Sears Airtool Oil. I drew some into the motor, worked it back and forth by hand a few times, reconnected the vacuum line and forgot about it. A week later it rained and for pure amusement value I turned the wipers on. Lo and behold, they worked. Well. I was out this evening in the rain and actually turned them down from full speed when driving on a level road. No need to install the rebuilt unit.

It seems the Sears oil has had a good effect on the seals. It is certainly cheap enough to be worth a try on any sluggish motor before springing for the rebuild.

Thanks for the tip, Ross. Sounds like something I should pick up and keep on the shelf. If you know, what is the composition of the paddle seal? Leather perhaps?

Sounds like it takes a good soak time for the seal to condition properly. I will have to retry mine before I send mine out for a rebuild.

Kev,

Could this tip be placed in the FAQ thread?

Thanks.

I am sure we can format this into a FAQ tip.

The paddle seal is not leather, but I wouldn't call it rubber either. Dunno

I was thinking it was a very dense or compressed felt type material or layered canvas saturated with something--maybe the apparently NLA Trico oil.