What is the best electric wiper motor for an Orignal 32 5 window ?

Looking for a good and cheap solution for the wiper motor in my original unchopped 32 ford 5 window. I see all the ones on eBay and such for about $50 that look like a generic plastic motor. I have also read of using late model rear window wiper motors... which seems like a better idea.

So, my preference would be a late model wiper motor that will fit the hole and space. I don't mind modifying or making a bracket to mount it. So any advice or photos is appreciated before I start the quest.....

Thanks !

 

Not cheap, but I used a Mighty Wiper. It fits under the stock '32 header panel, if that matters to you. It will require a very little bit of tapping the inner header structure out of the way, and slight trimming on the wood in there.

From the outside it looks like a stock Ford wiper arm.

If you go that way, I'd recommend buying their switch as well.

 

x2 on the mighty wiper.
Dave

 

Thanks for the info. What length shaft did you get ? Tapered or straight ?

 

I don't remember which length I initially got, but I had to send it back to them to switch it out for the other one. It has a taper so the old Ford arm and nut go on it.

They are basically a box with a shaft out the front. Measure from the flat mounting surface inside the header to the outside, and add what is needed to go through the arm. Hopefully that will get you close. Maybe ask them what size guys use for '32's?

 

I used a 1 1/2" shaft length with a custom made bushing on the inside to get the length tuned for a close fit. Hand filed the aluminum stock furnished with it for the outside and made a thin rubber gasket to fit between it and the body.

 

I just used the stock '32 trim on the outside of the header.

I think the arm to use was actually a '40 Ford style, with a shortened blade. The stock '32 doesn't have a taper, it has something else to clamp the arm to the shaft.

Oh, I remember one more thing. My wiring was too short. Ask them to give you a couple more feet of the wire.

 

It may be a dumb question but if the car is original why not a rebuilt vacuum wiper? Maybe add a vacuum tank to keep the speed up when you step on the gas.

Charlie Stephens

 

Weather in Minnesota is a little different than in Southern California

 

I'm also interested to know about this. I have read that the mighty wipers are loud ( as in noise level) Just wondering those that use them are they that loud? I mean, this is a hot rod, so it's noise inside anyway, but are these that noisy that they are discernible over the noise of the motor etc?

Falconman, I too know of people who have used the rear windscreen wiper motor from small hatchbacks or vans etc. I haven't hit the pick a part yet to see what is available , the idea of the mighty wiper seems good to me, its not cheap but then if it works then it's worth it.

Others that have used it, did you find that there was much work in fitting it? it seems BillM went to a bit of trouble with his unit, can anyone confirm what Alcemy says about the wiper arm? ( of course I have already purchased a 32 wiper arm to use...)

 

They just sound like an electric motor running in your header panel.

I've put them in three 32 3 windows and they don't fit the header very well, which I had to trim the opening. I put one in a 34 5 window, and it fit really nice. Bill M has a 5 window, which has a different header panel than a 3 window, and it looks like it leaves plenty of room.

All the units I installed had the tapered shaft. I feel they just look a little better.

Dave

 

have you considered using austin mini wiper ? You can hide the motor under the dash, and it's cheap ... even new ...

 

You can have one or the other,but you can't have both,it can be good and can be cheap.. they don't go hand in hand.

I used the old stand by electric motor on my pickup but rarely use it,,I rely on Rain-X. HRP

 

My car/project is an original Henry un-chopped body, but it is far from an original build. A stock vacuum motor is out of the question.

I bought the car unfinished but painted. The hole for the wiper was not filled. All of my other cars do not have wipers... I use rain-x. Rather than just plug the hole with a stainless bolt or something, I thought I would at least put a motor in the hole.... actually adding a wiper and using it is still under debate since I don't use one now.

I don't mind paying the $150 for a high quality motor. The ones I see for $50 don't look like a good option. If a rear wiper off a late model is an easy slam dunk, then I'd probably go that route.

 

My problem isn't the electric motors but the lack of a decent wiper blade that doesn't look like it's made for a street rod or a Mack truck.

The original style blades don't work and the aforementioned blades are down right bulky and ugly,,and lets face it work as well as tit's on a bowling ball. HRP

 

Newport engineering has good stuff too check them out

 

Whose motor is that ?

 

Newport Engineering

https://www.newportwipers.com/products.php?year=1932+3-Window+Coupe&make_id=4

 

True, the original blades don't work like modern ones, but this is the ol' bias vs. radial argument. Can't have "looks" and "function" in the same package here.

BillM's pics are of a Mighty Wiper.

The car I installed a Mighty Wiper in has no headliner or much other upholstery, so judging the sound quality is a moot (mute?) point. Can't hear the wipers over all the other car noises.

 

hands down, go with the mighty wiper.

 

Howdy, any opin of specialty power windows unit? They are speedo cable driven from under dash up A post.
You hit nail on head, don't want to cut up header panel.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I don't have any hot rods with those twisty shaft cable thingy drives. By my daughter has an MG with that type of drive, and I can tell you that the wipers suck on her car.

 

I posted on here about a hilman they use a wiper motor in the engine compartment with a cable to drive the wiper.

 

I use a Mighty Wiper with a original type blade for the looks and when the cops want to check if I'm legal, and use Rain X when it rains.
Works Great !

 

I have a Mighty wiper in the sedan and have never been happy with how well it functioned hence Rain-X has been my rain removal tool of choice, while I am revamping the interior of the sedan I decide to step up to the plate and buy a Newport Engineering unit, they are pricey and I hope it works well enough I can retire the Rain-X which has served me well for many years. HRP

 

Danny, what parts did you get from Newport and how much were they? I looked at their site awhile back and was not that impressed. I emailed them and they said they would get back to me in a month?
I've made a cardboard model of the MightyWiper but haven't tried it for fit yet. What problems have you had with yours?

 

Any photos of the different models attached to the car ? Thanks

 

Not impressed with the best wiper systems available for vintage cars.
You must really be hard to please.
I think their stuff looks pretty good to me.

 

If you change out the MW, I might be your huckleberry. It would have to be better than the dead 32 stocker filling the hole. If you decide, pm me and we can transact at Knoxville.

 

Newport makes a system designed just for 32 5 windows and sedans. It is pricey but it works I have it in my deuce 5 window as a dual system but it is available as a single. I also have their dual system in my deuce pu and their single in my 3 window and they work great.