Classic/Antique Car Repair: 58 Buick wipers, electric vacuum pumps, electric vacuum pump

Question
Hi Dick
      I am restoring a 58 Buick Special and want to keep it as close to original as possible.  I have found the vacuum pump that hangs off the bottom of the engine oil pump is very badly worn and I think beyond repair.

I really want to use the vacuum wipers and was wondering what if I mounted an electric vacuum pump under the hood and used that to run the wipers.  Do you know if anybody has aver tried this and what sort of pump would be suitable.

Regards
Peter

Answer
You and I agree, the vacuum wipers have features that can't be gotten by using the usual bolt-on substitute electric wipers of the era. I have gone to the electric type on my 56 Packard because I removed the vacuum pump (it causes problems with air ingestion into the oil pump on the Packards), but I have never been happy with the limited selection of speeds, and the loss of the windshield washer coordination and the variable sweep width features that were designed into the car.   I have thought about the same thing you are asking, and I regret to say I never went beyond thinking about it until I saw your question.  

Just now, I checked for 12 volt electric vacuum pumps at J.C.Whitney  (nothing), Performance Automotive Warehouse (nothing) and finally Summit (Bingo)!  However, they are very expensive - almost $300.  

I also checked on eBay - there is one vendor selling these, made by Thomas (never heard of them) for $90.   To me that sounds like the way to go.

Take a look at item 120189819978   At this price, these are slightly used items. I see the same vendor has them at $137 for what are probably new ones.

It would probably do the job (it is sized to operate brake boosters), and it is small enough that you could hide it somewhere.  I don't know how noisy it would be, but if you only powered it when you need wipers, that shouldn't be a big worry.

I just bought one of the eBay ones (he has plenty more, don't get mad at me!) and I thank you for the prod - you got me moving on this!

I'll try it and hope I can go back to my vacuum wipers.  I suggest you do the same!  

Let me know how it works out for you, please.

Dick