Question - 55-56 windshield washer

smtichy

smtichy

Senior Member
Can anyone with a 55-56 give me a short description how the windshield washer system works? My 55 just has the foot pump hanging there, no hoses bag, etc.

I found a diagram, shows nice detail on individual components...
but isn't clear how they link together.

My specific questions are:
1. What does the foot lever pump do? Is it pumping fluid? Or air to pressurize the SeeClear bag?

2. Referencing the diagram below, on the nozzle (#17615), to what does each of the 2 hoses (#17543) connect to?

3. Is the foot lever's activation of the wipers a standard feature, or option? On my wiper motor, i don't see any place where additional vacuum lines attach?


FYI - the following thread is all I could find so far.
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=359872&postcount=14
$T2eC16J,!)cE9s4PsMCFBRw71U)Bng~~60_57.jpg
 
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Hi Fairlane owners. Can anyone help me here? I want to restore mine, but I'd like to understand a bit more about how it works so I can buy the right parts.
Thanks!
 
The rubber hoses attach to the ports on the little vacuum valve at the end of the foot pump bracket. Usually the foot pump rubber diaphragm is cracked if it hasn't been replaced. You can buy new ones. It is very difficult to rebuild the foot pump but you can do it with a little patience and silicone sealant.
 
For the two hoses at the bag, one goes to the foot pedal and the other goes to the outlets on the hood or where ever they may be.

If the 55 and 56 are the same as my 54, the fluid runs through out the system. There is not vacuum in the system. This was added in 57, at least in the TBirds.

Replacement parts are available. I had to redo the one in the 54. I think I got mine at Concours parts in Nevada.
 
For the two hoses at the bag, one goes to the foot pedal and the other goes to the outlets on the hood or where ever they may be.

If the 55 and 56 are the same as my 54, the fluid runs through out the system. There is not vacuum in the system. I think this was added in 57, at least in the TBirds.

I think 57 was the first year the wipers were activated by the foot pedal. Again, at least in the TBirds.

Replacement parts are available. I had to redo the one in the 54. I think I got mine at Concours parts in Nevada.
 
paul2748 said:
For the two hoses at the bag, one goes to the foot pedal and the other goes to the outlets on the hood
Click to expand...

Thanks Paul, does the nozzle at the top of the bag (p/n 17615) have some sort of valve in it then that redirects the fluid correctly on downstroke vs. upstroke? If so that may explain the price tag of $27 on most parts stores sites.

My foot pedal has what I'm guessing is valve for a vacuum line at the top of it. It has a valve and 2 nozzles (in and out), which opens by a pin being pulled out when the pedal is fully pressed. But on the wiper unit itself I don't see any additional vacuum ports.
 
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Taking another look at the picture, I think I was wrong. It looks like the pedal unit is all vacuum.
 
paul2748 said:
I think I was wrong. It looks like the pedal unit is all vacuum.
Click to expand...

Hi Paul. No you were right, the valve at the top of the foot pump looks to be vacuum (very thin nozzles), and is completely independent of the large bulb in the middle of the pedal lever. In fact the connection for the large bulb protrudes through the firewall and servers as the mount for the pedal. While the valve at the top appears to be rigged only under the dash.

Back to my last question, do you know if the nozzle at the top of the SeeClear bag has some sort of valve in it?

Tnx,
Steve
 
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The nozzle int the top of the bag has a one way check valve inside. It allows the fluid to be pulled out of the bag when the bladder of the foot pump is filling. When the bladder is full and then compressed the fluid pressure forces water out of the washer nozzle on the bonnet. Very simple but works well. I believe the cap and valve can be purchased new from the usual resto suppliers. The valve that is on the foot pump provides vacuum to a diaphragm that pulls the wiper motor on so that when you pump the windscreen washer the wipers will operate.
My 55 wiper motor had the facility for the vacuum diaphragm but it was long gone.
 
Now I have a question. What is the purpose of that second hose running from the foot pump back to the little diaphragm attached to the vacuum wiper motor?
I don't have that, but my washer and wipers work without it.
 
Thanks everyone, now I understand how it works and can start looking for the parts. So far seems that almost all the resto suppliers have them.

Dave, I see your question (post #11) and wonder if that diaphragm is a transition from vacuum to mechanical actuation, to open yet another vacuum valve at the motor. At first glance on mine it looks like the main wiper switch is a vacuum valve, so this confused me as well.
 
daves55sedan I think rick55 said it would activate wipers when washer pump pushed I have a 54 so dont have.most of my books pertain to 54.smtichy wipers are vacuum operated I believe as rick55 stated when you pump washer pedal it will spray fluid on windshield and activate wipers.I am not sure what turns wipers off you may have to use wiper switch.possibly when you stop pumping it will stop then park wipers
 
The vacuum switch on the washer pump frame will only provide vacuum signal to the diaphragm when it is pushed down. This would allow the wiper motor to work only whilst the pump is depressed. It would start and the return to park if released.
 
Here is how my washer pump works (without the secondary diaphragm mounted on the vacuum wiper motor)
If I push the washer pump pedal down and release it immediately the fluid squirts on the windshield AND the wiper blades operate for one pass and return to park.
If I push the washer pump pedal down and hold the pedal down, the wiper blades will operate how ever many passes I want until I release the pedal, then they return to park.
How does it work WITH the secondary unit mounted on the wiper motor?
 
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