Classic/Antique Car Repair: Vacuum Wipers on 1956 Cadillac, vacuum hoses, zillah washington

Question
Hi Dick..  I hope you don't mind helping me out a little with a question on a 1956 Cadillac Coupe.  I am having a little trouble with the vacuum wipers. I have only had the car since January so I don't know a whole lot about it yet.  I need to get the wipers working so I can get it licenses.  The wipers come up but won't come down.  There is a hole at the top of the wiper motor that when I put my finger on it and then release it the wipers will come part way down.  I have looked at pictures of other Cadillac wiper motors and there is no vacuum hose that is connected to that particular part of the motor.  Do you think there is something missing inside the motor?  I have replaced all the vacuum hoses as some were cracked and the newer ones were too large and didn't fit snug.  I will also be trying to install the windshield washer jar and pump that is now missing off the car so anything you can tell me about that would be great also.

Thank you.
Tim Knight

Answer
Vacuum wipers are a royal pain in the posterior - your wiper motor very likely needs to be rebuilt, but before you send it off for that, get a vacuum gauge and check the vacuum at the hose where it connects to the wiper motor.  If the vacuum measures at least 15 inches, the wiper motor should work, at least on a wet windshield.  If it doesn't, send it off to David Ficken (he advertises in Hemmings, or you can find him with a Google search.) Another good guy is Kent Jacquith, who goes by the company name of "Cleansweep".  Kent is in Zillah Washington.   Either guy can help you with the motor and also answer your question as to what the hole is that you are asking about.  I think it is probably the coordinator connection for the windshield washer system - but they will know for sure.

If your vacuum is not at least 15 inches, your engine needs a good tune - up or else there is something wrong, either with the engine mechanically or the vacuum plumbing (leaks or pinched hoses).

Many folks have given up on the vacuum wipers and installed electric wiper motors instead.  I have had to do that on a few of my old cars.  The mounting provisions are pretty much standard for most cars - and even lowly Chevy offered an option of electric wipers in 56, so chances are you could find a Chevy wiper motor and it would fit and work just fine - that is what I have on two of my cars.

Dick