First off - I have been loving cruising around in the '54 GMC!!!! But, living in the Pacific Northwest where it typically rains much of the year - I elected to get the wipers working (previous owner didn't get them working as he "never drove in the rain"). After reading enough posts pushing for "go electric", I elected to go with a conversion kit. First: I noticed the hosts for this forum do not offer an electric conversion for 1954 GMC wipers - only Chevy. LMC Truck on the other hand, offer a single part# (36-4066) for both 1954 Chevy & GMC so I ordered it last week and got it yesterday. Well...after spending way too much time this morning contorted on the floor of the truck removing the original vacuum unit and trying every possible angle to get the new electric motor in place - I concluded something was wrong. Exasperated, I searched online and found someone in the same situation almost exactly 12 months ago... Turns out that because the GMC dash is contoured towards the windshield just about where the wiper motor mounts -there isn't space to mount the electric motor from LMC -and I suspect this is why Classic-Parts states their motors won't work on '54-'55 GMCs...it would appear that LMC simply isn't paying attention to this difference. grrrr... So - I'll be returning LMC's wiper motor next week. and I'm back to square one figuring out how to get the wipers functioning. I reached out to "Wiperman.com" via email today to see about getting the vacuum motor rebuilt. Anybody have any advice on alternatives or is this (staying with vacuum) my best choice for the truck? Thanks in advance! Roland.
I put a set from Newport into my '52 GMC. They actually had two different sets, one that you had to remove the manual choke cable and another (that I bought) that you didn't have to remove the cable. Even though mine was supposed to fit with the choke in place I found it much easier to move the choke knob to the (6" lower) manual throttle hole in the dash and discard the manual throttle cable which didn't work with my non-stock Carter YH carb anyway.
Wiper Choises Roland ; If you retain the vacuum wipers you're going to have to add a dual action fuel pump or a vacuum resivoir can and a check valve plus keep the valves and timing bang on else the rebuilt wiper motor will halt every time you step on the gas and they'll work poorly going up hills . I know this as I've always retained the silent vacuum wipers.... The vacuum cans are cheaply available new (plastic , ugh) or steel (American made yay !) from Junk Yard cars of the 1960's and 1970's . Look for a # 10 tin can looking thing in old Caddys , LTD's and so on . They are in fact , # 10 tin cans with vacuum nipples . Anyways , old VW Beetle wiper motors were the conversion of choice back in the 1960's because they're compact , 6 volts and the arm has the same throw . Best of luck with it , please keep us posted .
If it were my project I'd do as Bill suggests and get an electric motor that fits. If not, send vacuum motor to David Ficken (Wiperman) in West Babylon NY and have it rebuilt. I like vacuum wipers because they are quiet and have an infinite number of speed settings but I use an electric vacuum pump to run them. The pumps are pricey but can be found for $10-$20 at a pick-a-part salvage yard. They come in Mercedes Diesels---Nate can tell you which models. I usually mount the pump in front of the battery box but it can be mounted anywhere and then a hose run through the same hole in the firewall as the factory hose. No stall under any load and any speed setting, the best of both worlds.
Thanks Guys! I am sending the original motor to Ficken. My truck already has a dual action fuel pump so there is already a dedicated vacuum source that is independent of engine vacuum - just a defective wiper motor. I'll let you know how it all works out. Roland.
Vacuum Source Roland ; All Mercedes W-126 (S-Klasse) Sedans from 1985~ 1997 have an electric vacuum pump , either in the trunk or under the back seat , all Pick-A-Part Junk Yards anywhere in America get these cars in all the time no matter what naysayers tell you , this pump used to be dirt cheap until LKQ began buying up all the Junk Yards , prices have more than doubled but still some good deals to be had .
