Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Okay, I thought I'd tackle the wiper motor without sending it off. Really, it was easy to dissemble, clean and re-grease. I had to cut a new gasket from stock material because it broke.

Here's my hang-up....

Now that it's back together, it leaks around the gasket. Of course, the leaks prevent the wipers from operating.

I really, really think the screws are down pretty much all the way. I'd hate to tighten them more, as I know - I just know - I will break one.

What I am thinking is there must have been something applied WITH the gasket upon reassembly. Maybe silicone?

Any thoughts on getting an air-tight fit?

IIRC the original gasket was very thin. Am wondering if your new is thicker or stiffer and not seating somewhere. For my 2 bits, a SMALL amount of silicone wouldn't hurt--just take care it doesn't ooze out and get in any valve or passage. You are right to be careful on the screws. They might not break but the pot metal they screw into will strip very easily.

Yes, the new gasket material was thicker. I went ahead and applied silicone. Will wait to allow to dry and see what happens.

If significantly thicker, then the place where the flapper hinges or pivots may be so loose that the vacuum is leaking under the flapper pivot from one chamber to the other. The leak may actually not be the gasket but the pivot itself. Might have to make a new gasket out of something like parchment paper or maybe even typewriter paper and use the silicone.

Oh, great. I wondered about that area. From applying soapy water the first go-round, the leaks were all around the sides. The new gasket material is 1/32".

We'll see what happens....

Come to think of it, the pivot areas should be sealed off by the gasket as well because the motor construct is flat there, and also, there is gasket to seal it off.

The gasket needs to be ultra-thin, you can make one from simple notebook paper and gasket cement or silicone. But to perform properly, the two housing halves have to mate closely and I'll bet yours are distorted, perhaps from over-tightening the screws, perhaps from age. Get a straight edge and clean up the housing surfaces first.

I appreciate the input. It's all assembled and drying, now. So, I'll takes my chances.

I will go with notebook paper if it fails.

Speaking of "if it fails," one more question. Those oblong screws are a pain. Are these by chance a typical thread? If I have to go through this again, I would like to just replace the screws with philips-head screws.

Never checked the thread size, but should be simple enough for you to do so. Those screws may be proprietary Trico items and occasionally you see the special screwdriver at flea markets for $1 or less.

Yeah, I suppose if I have to re-do it again, I'll take it w/me to Lowe's to check for screws.

A 6-32 nut screws on nicely. The threaded length appears to be 5/16 long though which you may not find.