Okay everyone, where can I get some wiper arms and blades that are NOT super weak junk imports. I have ordered a couple sets that are supposed to fit but I have found the "universal, one size fits all" translates to "doesn't fit anything worth a ****" and doesn't clean the windshield at all. The spring tension is so weak that the wiper just mysteriously waves in front of the windshield and the rain smears around. Even if the spring was stronger the arm starts to bend and won't apply more pressure to the wiper blade. I have tried both an arm with a "left and right angle bend" (necessary) and the universal type with the adjustable round screw locking angle adjuster. Years ago I used Trico parts from the gas station on my first 55 and it worked fine even with vacuum wiper motor. I have a Newport electric conversion on my 55 Fairlane and it works fine, its the arms and blades that are ****.
Trico Cl***ics (12") are what I have on my 55 with Newport motor and stock arms. Seems to work okay in my driveway but I'll admit I havent had to use them going down the highway yet.
Never thought to try a tri five C word supplier. Thanks for that! I also had not found the trico cl***ic line, good tips everyone.
Yes, Trico cl***ic 12" on my '57. Since you guys are mentioning............Mustang intermittent multi speed motor/electronic controls with custom built hard arms system to replace cable/pulley, lol.
Might try Larry's T-Bird parts in Corona, Ca. I've picked up quite a few parts for my '54 Coupe from Larry.
I should have added that I bought a set of "blades" from Ford Obsolete in OKC last year. They were marked with a Chevy PN. Didn't last the year before the rubber starting falling apart. This thread reminds me I need to look for some Tricos! Fortunatly it hasn't been raining much (not fortunate for the farmers or my lawn/watering bill)
Trico seems to make blades in their cl***ic series but no arms. I did call Larry's T Bird but they said no arms for a Fairlane, online they don't even list arms for a T Bird. Anco seems to be the only one that comes close and they have the round angle adjuster with a screw on the arms, just like what I have now. They barely have enough spring pressure to hold the blade against the windshield sitting still let alone at 65 mph. I will keep digging and let everyone know.
I was caught in a big rain last week, my wipers simply ****. I will look for the Tricos and possibly the Danchuk Chevy ones.
I might have an extra stock pair off my Customline. I'll have to check when I get home. I'm guessing there is no difference in the arms between the trim lines?
I don't think the arms are different for any of the 55 cars except for T Birds maybe? 56 could be different due to the shorter windshield height on the hardtops in 56, don't know for sure.
I have a Newport Engineering wiper motor in my 55. I am pretty sure my arms and blades came from Drake. Used them a couple of weeks ago for the first time. P***enger side was perfect, drivers side not so much. The blade was at fault. I will look for the Trico's.
Just ordered a set of Tri 5 Chevy arms from Yogi's, they are dii which I think is Dynacorn International Inc. They are the company that makes many of the complete body ***emblies out there such as Mustangs and 55 Chevys. We will see how they work. jimmy six , I really like how the arms on your car look, I am hoping that's what I receive. I have some that mostly look like that but the thinnest part of the arm, the part that stabs the wiper blade is so flimsy it bends from the force of the spring and lets the wiper flop. Got them from a street rod company here in Portland and are supposed to fit 50's F100 and Chevy pickups. They are pure ****!
Haha you have never been in a Louisiana rain storm. I have a Cobra and Tbucket with no wipers and that theory only works in light rain. I find it great in light rain though.
I haven't driven in the rain in Louisiana but I have driven in lots of Oregon rain in both my 56 Fairlane and my wife's Durango and the only time I use my wipers is in town where the speed limit is 20 mph.
I have driven my hot rods in lots of hard rain and learned the rainx nor wax is a replacement for good wipers. They may work in light rain at speed but not downpours. If you p*** a semi in hard rain you better have good wipers.
2 weeks ago I was caught out in probably one of the worst rains ever. Definitely a top 5 but it lasted about a 1/2 hour. I will wax my windshield. I'm glad I spent a lot of time on my heater and defroster.
Here is where I am so far with this. Got the new tri five Chevy wiper arms and they fit perfectly onto the car so got some NAPA cl***ic 12 inch wiper blades (part # 6-1233)and they DON'T work well at all. Seems to be the same part as the Trico cl***ic blades. Problem is they don't fit the arms tightly and the "flop" as the wiper arm moves back and forth. The picture on the package of the arm mounting point looks correct but the arm in the package looks nothing like the picture ON the package. Same with the Trico part which I think is the same part, different brand name, different logo. I also tried to get refills for my Trico blades but no one makes just the rubber refills anymore and the "cl***ic" rubber parts are way too narrow to fit the old Trico arms. I did find a 15 inch "Vintage" wiper blade at NAPA that was the correct width and was able to remove the rubber, trim it down to 12 inches and put it in the original Trico wiper blade. Problem is the "Vintage" line at NAPA is obsolete and they only had one in stock and can't get anymore. I will post a few pictures and hope this all makes sense. Mark
I bought my wiper blades from Newport when I ordered their electric motor. I don't remember if I was able to just order the blades or the whole ***embly, there was some discussion about how the blade attached to the arms. https://newportwipers.com/product/1952-54-ford/#wiper-blades. They have worked well under the water hose.
I had the same experience with Trico, picture is correct, blade is not. I just ordered Newport blades. I have a Newport motor but for some reason bought blades from another supplier. They are ****. After using them in a rain shower, I needed replacements.
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