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Old 04-01-2020, 04:25 PM   #1
moonraker
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Default What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

I need to lubricate a wiper motor. It starts to make squeaky noises after operating for a few minutes. What should I use?
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Old 04-01-2020, 04:39 PM   #2
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

In my '53, I removed the rubber vacuum hose from the base of the carb and shot some GIBBS Oil into it. The wiper motor freed up instantly and operated like new....It's best to use the long plastic applicator tube supplied with the GIBBS Oil when doing this.
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:05 AM   #3
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

I have read others saying just use any light weight oil. My ‘40 came to me with wipers frozen and I had same success as mentioned above. I pulled the motor(not difficult on a ‘40), a few drops of 3-in-1 light oil into the vacuum port, freed up instantly, now works like new.
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:16 AM   #4
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Thanks for answers! Gibbs oil is not available in Russia. Is WD40 a substitute?
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:21 AM   #5
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

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Originally Posted by moonraker View Post
Thanks for answers! Gibbs oil is not available in Russia. Is WD40 a substitute?
WD 40 isn't really a good lubricant. I've used Marvel Mystery oil which works OK but may not be available to you either. A very light oil such as 3&1 oil or sewing machine oil will do the job.
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:26 AM   #6
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

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It will get it loose. The complaint with WD40 is it disappears. It design was for removing moisture. Any light weight oil should give a happy result.
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:48 AM   #7
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Quote:
Originally Posted by petehoovie View Post
In my '53, I removed the rubber vacuum hose from the base of the carb and shot some GIBBS Oil into it. The wiper motor freed up instantly and operated like new....It's best to use the long plastic applicator tube supplied with the GIBBS Oil when doing this.
Hi Pete,

I wondered about just pulling the hose as you did but didn’t think it would work since it drawing air away from the motor,i.e. vacuum line. In my 40 pulling the motor would not be easy.
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Old 04-02-2020, 10:53 AM   #8
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Under what might be available to moonraker: I was thinking ATF, since it is a lite oil?
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Old 04-02-2020, 11:11 AM   #9
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Sewing machine oil...must be available worldwide...thin and designed to lube..usually high quality and in a small container...
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Old 04-02-2020, 11:12 AM   #10
moonraker
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

I can find sewing machine oil
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Old 04-02-2020, 11:26 AM   #11
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

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Originally Posted by glennpm View Post
Hi Pete,

I wondered about just pulling the hose as you did but didn’t think it would work since it drawing air away from the motor,i.e. vacuum line. In my 40 pulling the motor would not be easy.
With the hose disconnected, operate the wiper blade manually. Moving it in one direction (I forget which) creates a vacuum on the inlet.
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Old 04-02-2020, 03:44 PM   #12
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Thanks Tubman that makes good sense.

Glenn
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Old 04-02-2020, 08:11 PM   #13
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Don't use WD-40 as it can cause pot metal to swell and ruin the wiper motor. light oil or open it up and use light grease.
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Old 04-03-2020, 07:20 AM   #14
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

I just found this great article on "Lubricating the Vacuum Wiper Motor". My motor is very stiff so I'll be just oiling using Marvel Mystery Oil, MMO, I know it is good for the leather in my Columbia vacuum canister so a good choice here.


I know that brake fluid and ATF will swell rubber and give a better seal. I'm not sure how it acts on leather which is used on the wiper motor internal paddle.



https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Tech...um%20Wiper.pdf


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Old 04-03-2020, 07:47 AM   #15
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

... and a couple of patent office documents:
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Patent 2032319.pdf (323.6 KB, 33 views)
File Type: pdf Patent 1840233_Jun14_1928.pdf (574.0 KB, 18 views)
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Old 04-03-2020, 10:53 AM   #16
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Lubricating the Vacuum Wiper Motor

Here's how to lubricate the motor, which should be done three or four times a year: 1. Remove the vacuum hose at the wiper motor. Lightly hold your finger over the hose nipple on the motor and cycle the wiper blade back and forth.. Note that in one direction the motor sucks in air, and in the opposite direction, the motor expels air through the nipple. Place the wiper blade in the position such that the motor will begin to suck air at the nipple. 2. Attach a six‐inch long piece of hose to the motor nipple and hold the open end up. Using a squeeze bottle, force one teaspoonful of lubricant into the hose. Place a rag on the cowl below the wiper motor. Hold another rag over the open end of the hose. 3. Cycle the wiper blade back and forth several times. Repeat the process again, adding a second teaspoonful of lubricant. 4. Start the engine and run the wiper motor. It should run well. If it does not, the wiper motor should be disassembled, cleaned, inspected and a rebuilding kit installed. It is normal for the wiper to slow down when the car is accelerated, but it should not stop altogether.

[Editor Note: Using brake fluid as a lubricant is not recommended by Chuck Christensen, 2012 MAFCA Technical Director, as spilled brake fluid can damage the car's paint, either during the lubrication or afterward during wiper use. Instead, use a light machine oil.]
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Last edited by petehoovie; 04-03-2020 at 11:06 AM.
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Old 04-03-2020, 10:55 AM   #17
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

The instructions I have see say to use brake fluid.
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Old 04-03-2020, 10:57 AM   #18
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Can you post the instructions you have please?
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Old 04-03-2020, 11:07 AM   #19
petehoovie
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

Lubricating the Vacuum Wiper Motor

Here's how to lubricate the motor, which should be done three or four times a year: 1. Remove the vacuum hose at the wiper motor. Lightly hold your finger over the hose nipple on the motor and cycle the wiper blade back and forth.. Note that in one direction the motor sucks in air, and in the opposite direction, the motor expels air through the nipple. Place the wiper blade in the position such that the motor will begin to suck air at the nipple. 2. Attach a six‐inch long piece of hose to the motor nipple and hold the open end up. Using a squeeze bottle, force one teaspoonful of lubricant into the hose. Place a rag on the cowl below the wiper motor. Hold another rag over the open end of the hose. 3. Cycle the wiper blade back and forth several times. Repeat the process again, adding a second teaspoonful of lubricant. 4. Start the engine and run the wiper motor. It should run well. If it does not, the wiper motor should be disassembled, cleaned, inspected and a rebuilding kit installed. It is normal for the wiper to slow down when the car is accelerated, but it should not stop altogether.

[Editor Note: Using brake fluid as a lubricant is not recommended by Chuck Christensen, 2012 MAFCA Technical Director, as spilled brake fluid can damage the car's paint, either during the lubrication or afterward during wiper use. Instead, use a light machine oil.]
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others....

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"We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0
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Old 04-03-2020, 11:23 AM   #20
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Default Re: What lube for '39 vacuum wiper motor?

I used brake fluid in the wiper motor of my '51 and it helped a lot. Using a bit of care can prevent paint damage from the brake fluid.
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