Hello, I am working on 1954 GMC truck and the wiper motor just started leaking vacuum. Are there rebuild kits available, or is it just better to go with an electric wiper motor? The originality is not much of a concern. Also, some of the gauges do not work and a few are not original. Is there a gauge set that fits in the dash panel holes? Thank you, James McDaniel
Welcome, James We've had several heated debates about wiper motors in the past. Do a "search" if you want a good laugh! Check out this website if you're wanting to rebuild your vacuum motor www.wiperman.com Good info. Our host, CP, sells the gauges if i'm not mistaken. Several vendors sell the entire cluster as well as individual gauges.
Welcome again, James. Good to have you. Scott Speedometers is really good on speedometers. They have been in business for years. They can be a little pricey but that seems to be the standard now a days. They stand behind their product so that is worth a lot. If you are building a daily drive you may want the reliability of electric wipers. Otherwise the vacuum should be fine. I am going with vacuum cause my truck will probably not see much rain. Ken's right about the gauges from CP. They are good and they offer 6 and 12 volt. Even new gauges are a little finicky but you have to remember, this technology is before the day of precision digital stuff, thank God! Again, welcome, Gater
One of the great things about the 54-59 GMC trucks is that they use standard size gauges. The smaller gauges are the same size as small 2 1/16" gauges made by many including Stewart-Warner. The big holes are the same size as the 3 3/8" larger speedometers and tachs. Here is my '57 dash, all stock gauges except the tach which is a refaced and recalibrated by me Sun Supertach II.
Many of the old vacuum wipers will make a leaking sound if you turn the switch all the way to the off position. Try just barely turning it back toward the on position and see if the hissing stops. If this doesn't work at least it's free.
