Model A electric wiper inside mount

[Dackelson]

Hi,. I'm new here. I had been looking for information on how others have installed an electric wiper from the inside through a Model A windshield header but couldn't find anything. I decided to try modifying an aftermarket unit. The shaft and tube are too short and the tube threads are odd...likely an extra fine metric thread. I could not find an extension so I used a lamp tube and nut which are readily available. I welded the lamp tube to the end of the tube on the motor being very careful to keep it straight. I used the unthreaded portion of a 1/4 inch stainless bolt and spun it down in dia using a drill and grinder since I don't have a lathe. It too had to be perfectly straight as the tolerance is tight in the tube. I fabricated a bushing to provide a flat, solid surface for the tube nut on the outside of the header cover. It seems to work great

 

[Mike Peters]

Woody wagon? When not in use, does the wiper blade rest against the header above the windshield? It will need to, or else you won't be able to tip out the windshield for ventilation in hot weather. Original wipers were mounted directly to the upper windshield frame so that the wiper would work in any windshield position.

 

[Dackelson]

The wiper arm has a pivot and spring like modern wipers on it that should allow it to move with the windshield. I don't have glass in it yet.

 

[rally 1]

Have you installed a wiper arm yet to test?

 

[Dackelson]

I have mocked it up without glass in it. The arm can swing away from the windshield just like new car blades. The blade doesn't care what angle the glass is at. See the pic attached. Dave

 

[Pete]

I mounted mine in the header many years ago. It was an easy job but did require a small amount of metal work. The windshield still opens and does not affect the operation of the wipers, although I seldom operate the wipers with the windshield open. This mod enables the use of modern high pressure arms and blades. I have hidden squirter nozzles in the cowl band also.

 

[rally 1]

Is there a specific application for the wiper arm that is used?

 

[David R.]

I’m a long way from that point. Building a recreation of an aftermarket AA all wood body. I was thinking of using a 1940’s jeep vacuum motor.

 

[Pete]

Is there a specific application for the wiper arm that is used?

Yes, but it was so long ago I don't remember what it is.

 

[CarlG]

I installed the electric wipers offered by Newport Engineering. They mount on the header above the windshield. Does not prevent the windshield from opening.

 

[Bjerg_Menneskene]

I did nearly the same in my car. There is a unit available that has a longer shaft and housing that can be cut down, so a bit less work than you did but it does not have a built in switch. The only issue with these wipers is they only have about 110 degrees of swing so if you set them so the blade parks out of the way when driving in good weather they only wipe about halfway through the sight line of one eyeball when it does rain. I recently found a wiper off of an old military vehicle - it took a bunch of modification but it clears about the same area as an original electric or vac wiper.

 

[Dackelson]

I am concerned about the limited travel, but since it's a custom Woody, I'm not expecting to be driving it in the rain....emergency use only. I wish there was a way to adjust the wiper positioning more like I had in my previous streetrod.

 

[Dackelson]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'application' my arm is not from a particular car model. The arm I have with the spring came with the motor as a kit and is mounted to the 1/4 inch wiper motor shaft. I saw that Bob Drake has an adapter from 1/4 to the knurled nut used with today's wiper arms.