57/58 Ford Wipers = Rube Goldberg

So several years ago, one of the cables snapped that drives my windshield wipers. I had never really given the set up a lot of thought, aside from converting the wiper motor from vacuum to one of those nifty Newport Engineering electric set ups. I've realized that the mechanism that actuates the wipers themselves, with the pulleys, steel cables, tensioners, crimped ends... is the stuff of nightmares and straight out of Rube Goldberg's playbook.

My question is has anyone ever converted the 57 or 58 Ford over to a more reliable and decidedly less complicated system of levers? Is there a universal kit out there where I can s**** the stock stuff all together? It will probably be half the work to retrofit a whole new system than fix that factory set up.

Any guidance would be great

 

I had a few different transmission systems, but, none looked very promising....Some Torino stuff, and what not...
I, myself, just broke down and bought the Newport stuff.....
so far, it looks really simple, and clean....easy.

I had to buy some cut to fit blades, but, I didn't want to lose my stainless arms....they worked out so far....

 

Try early morris or 70,s Jaguar I have opne done this way

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12024

I've replaced cables. I just went for it and learned a lot. It's not that bad of a job. Getting under the dash to get the transmission ouy is the hardest part. Once you have it in hand, it's bretty simple. I could talk you through it. I can only ***ume your Ford unit is similar.
Bil

 

'58's have a totally different wiper system. They have a modern style arm system. The 58 stuff can be used to convert a '57, but there is quite a bit of stuff you need to get from the '58. The motor mounts up under the dash(not from the engine side) This changes the defrost ducting and a few other things. It also smoothes out the firewall. It would be best to remove the entire system from a '58 to make sure you get everything.

 

I didn't realize the 58's were different. I'll have to be on the lookout for a parts car.

Thanks for the responses guys. If any one has anything to add, keep the ideas coming

 

http://www.pacificwesterndesign.com/RainGear/index.htm
The 57 Chevy uses a cable system very similar to the 57 Ford. In fact as you may know the wiper motors will interchange. That is how many 57 Ford owners, like me, are able to switch to electric wipers. I wonder if this could be carried a step further and adapt the Pac. West. solid link setup for the Chev to the Ford.