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replacing vacuum wipers but keeping orig washer unit 55 buick

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by big hugh ness, May 17, 2013.

  1. Dudes, still sorting out vacuum system at the moment on my 55 Century. Planning on replacing old vacuum motor with a Newport unit. Just a quick question: Can I still use the original bottle setup? It is a particularly unique thing and I would hate to put a plastic washer bottle in there. Well, I wouldn't do it. Period. Since the washer bottle is part of the vacuum setup, can I just byp*** the motor and run the windscreen washes on vacuum? Does that make sense?
     
  2. 325w
    Joined: Feb 18, 2008
    Posts: 6,499

    325w
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Don't the vac***n pump,work off the wiper motor? We used 12 v pumps that were inline on the CAd. Chev and Buick of the mid nineties .
     
  3. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,756

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    I'm not familiar with a 55 washer system but it has to be able to work as it did before. You may need to disconnect a hose or two that went to the vacuum motor. You will have to turn on the electric motor and then the vacuum washer separately. The good part is that you have all the controls already.
     
  4. Ta guys. I made up a diagram as to where I think these hoses should go. I am uncertain as to whether there is such a creature as y piece 2. I cannot figure out how it would work without another y piece there. I byp***ed the motor and ran hoses direct to washer unit and I got a slight trickle. I guess that is my answer. At the moment the car is not drivable, so I am just relying on the engine running. Not a lot of pressure there. Unless, the wiper switch isn't doing its plunging thing...
    Anyway, here's a diagram of my setup so far.
    I think it's correct, though, not sure about number 2 y piece.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. I have discovered that the top of the vacuum operated bottle has a piece broken off it and won't work. I bought a Newport wiper motor but still want to keep old bottle. I've connected a little universal 12 volt washer pump inside the old vacuum pump housing near the top away from water, but it wont draw the liquid up the tube. Does this mean that windscreen washer bottle pumps only work on gravity/ pressure? That is, they're not able to draw the water up the tube? Perhaps I can prime it...
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2013
  6. TexasJohn55
    Joined: May 3, 2013
    Posts: 14

    TexasJohn55
    Member
    from Texas

    Big, I have a 55 Special and Y1 looks correct, however I have a single speed wiper and I don't think I have the second Y. It appears that vacuum goes directly to switch and then to pump. I have 1 vacuum fitting and 1 water fitting. The pump has a dual seal plunger with a return spring. The top part is the vacuum chamber, the bottom is water. The vacuum from pushing the ****on pulls the plunger up against spring pressure and at the same time ****s in water in the bottom chamber thru a check valve. When the vacuum end of the piston bottoms on the top of the chamber, it pops closed the vacuum supply circut thereby dumping the vacuum. With vacuum source cut off, the internal spring pushes the plunger/piston back down. The water check valve seats and water is pushed out to the washer nozzles. The pump is easily dis***embled to repair. Notice that the pump is retained in the lid with washer and nut. The pump ***embly MUST seal on bottom side of lid on the gasket, you may need a new gasket made there. Your internal spring may have rusted and broken also as mine had. Attach a vacuum guage to the pump hose and push the ****on to check integrity of the hoses and switch. Compare that to the reading you get if checking supply off the first tee. As for the new wiper motor, I suppose you could use the bowden wire to operate an electrical switch, not sure about all that. TexasJohn
     
  7. Hey, thanks for that TexasJohn. Very nicely explained.
     
  8. Guys, I just byp***ed the whole vacuum ***embly and stuck a ****** electric motor in the old housing pump of the original washer bottle (it was dead anyway) Probably a bit dopey having a motor in there with the possibility of condensation, but I have sealed the unit up so it should be fairly water tight and am not filling the bottle to the top. Plus, it keeps it all together. This way I keep the old look with a new motor in the bottle. Once its sealed up and in there, nobody will be any wiser. Run vacuum line like normal and can even run a dummy control hose to firewall. Can't see a problem. I can safely say those window jets squirt like crazy now!
    [​IMG]
    All concealed and ready to hit with some sikaflex to keep it sealed up
    [​IMG]
     

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