Technical GM wiper towers (resolved)

I and a fellow Hamber have been trying to work through the wiper tower drama over the last few weeks. GM appears to have used Trico to make these towers from the mid 30s until at least the late 40s in this design. Each division having their own style every year, and some makes multiple styles within a year. Not much interchange that I have found. The towers are chain driven from the lower sprocket to the upper sprocket, with the lower sprocket being driven from the linkage rod thru a ball and socket joint that is not removable. The Chevy ones are reproduced, but those only. Any insight on what you did is appreciated. I do have a vintage Trico application catalogue coming.

 

You never mentioned year or make of GM vehicle your dealing with.

 

40 Buicks in particular. GM used the same design on Chevy and BOP cars as well as Caddy. Some of the BOP and Caddy were somewhat interchangeable.

 

You would have to find an old Hollanders to possibly see what interchanged. or a GM master catalog.

 

^^^^ Mark, thanks for looking. I have a 1935-49 Trico manual coming that may share some interchanges. I am mostly interested in other work arounds that somebody came up with. These things seem to be model specific with Buick being the worst.

 

Are you missing them or are they broken? Mine were frozen badly after soaking them for a week penetrating oil and a little heat I got them free. Or find some the bay, good luck

 

I think GM in 1940 specified wiper transmission (10.159 Transmission, Windshield wiper remote control) application by body type - Special, Standard, Torpedo - across the divisions.
Chevrolet, Olds 60 series, and Pontiac Special Six with Special bodies used one ( Olds # 4101960 R.H. and 4101961 L.H.).
Buick, Olds 70 series and Pontiac with Standard bodies used another (Olds # 4099339 R.H. And 4099340 L.H.).
Buick 50 Super and 70 Roadmaster, Olds 90 series, Pontiac with Torpedo bodies, LaSalle 52 and Cadillac 62 used another (Olds # 4099341 R.H. And 4099342 L.H.).
This info comes from the 1940 Oldsmobile Master Parts List and the Fisher Body Manual 1939 and 1940. I’ve attached a photo of the wiper transmissions on my ‘40 Olds series 60 and ‘40 Olds series 70 (photo with wiper arm attached).
Hope it helps. ☘️

 

While I do have some of the tower assemblies, they are either broken or badly pitted. Chevy of the 40's and IANDI Reproductions sell reproduction ones, but the linkages are Chevy specific.

 

This is for a 46-48 Buick. Pretty cheap for new!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3760631689...+dlSFmLtC0hAbb1JswNU774o8=|tkp:Bk9SR9qjiqSzZQ

 

Give DiOrios Old GM Parts a call. Joe might have either decent originals, or something new to fit your car. I'm only a mile from the store, so I just go by and sit down at their bins and search, but rod at the counter might be able to find some for you.
DiOrios Portland, Or. 503-771-9416

 

^^^^ Will do once I get my Trico manual and see exactly what fits.

@Sporty45 those are the cable type Buick went to after the war and don't fit the late 39-42. Thanks though.

 

Conclusion- between WiperMan and my friend and fellow HAMBER Don, I was able to obtain two correct NOS driver's side towers, and one NOS passenger side tower. Once I get a housing chromed, the other passenger side tower will be complete. Thanks to all who tried to help. That is what this site is all about.

 

Interesting that one of the patents is from 1964.

 

That is strange! Maybe they can renew them and continue being the only ones that can produce them?

 

I thought patents had to be renewed every 50 years? Most are not simply because the design and specific use has changed so much, the original patent no longer applies.
Maybe Trico purchased the original patent from GM in 84, when the original patent was about to expire, and wanted to be the only people that can reproduce the parts.

 

Does Special=A Body & Standard=B Body?

 

Bird man - yes. ☘️