Cad-kid's 65 Monza - my first Corvair

[cad-kid]

Wiper system, inspection and cleaning. Here's a project that wasn't super high on my list - why? Well since I have some perforations in the fender liners that need patching I avoid driving my Vair in the rain. And when it does rain I am a firm believer in Rain-X so at anything above 35 mph I drive with the wipers off.

So back to the project. The wipers on this car moved at a turtles pace - and there really wasn't a noticeable difference in fast vs slow. So first task was to take off the wiper arms and cowl panel. Then lube up the linkage with grease on the ball ends and oil the wiper shafts. Then onto the motor - here's what I found-



Years of use had caused wear on the armature and the shaft has blued from the friction.



The brushes are worn but still serviceable



I carefully chucked it up in my drill and got out the file then sand paper to make it smooth. Then I took my hobby knife and cleaned the out the gaps between the segments. After that I flipped the armature around and used fine sand paper on the armature shaft to restore the surface.



The result? I now have faster wipers and a noticeable difference between high and low

The operation was a success

[BobWitt]

Awesome how-to post. Making a note for if (when) I cross that bridge. I've decided that I'm not going to install the interior until l get my project running and on it's wheels. This so I can fully water test and address any interior leaks before the carpet floods...

Hope to not need to do the wiper motor right away, but now have this ready reference... My brother tells me this evening I have 60 days to the Woodward Dream Cruse... Gotta keep making progress... I've enrolled into the GM Employee Car Show on July 22ed. So the pressure is on.

Thanks again and good luck with YOUR project!

[cad-kid]

Here's a cool mod for some extra lighting - I am loving it!



For those who don't look at every post like I do - here's a link to the DIY article that shows much more plus a YouTube vid that I made to go along with it.
LED Frunk lighting article on Corvair Forum

[SteveH]

that's cool!! Thanks for sharing!

[cad-kid]

In Wisconsin winter is fast approaching so while the weather was still warm I decided to make a year end video. Enjoy

[bbodie52]

Thanks for the video... I found it curiously relaxing — especially when you took us for a drive in your Corvair!

[cad-kid]

Interesting reaction Brad, I like it! Thanks for the feedback.

[bbodie52]

I just enjoyed seeing the positive result of your hard work, and hearing it run so well. In the same way you expressed your satisfaction at the sound of the engine echoing in the garage building, you were able to share that through your video... COMFORT FOOD FOR THE CORVAIR SOUL!

[66vairguy]

Nice work on the wiper motor.

Don't overlook the wiper switch. Two issues ---
1) The switch dries out inside and binds and wears. You can carefully dismantle and clean/lube the switch.

2) The wiper circuit sends power from the wiper LO and HI circuit to the wiper switch to be grounded to the dash to activate the wipers (the ground at the wiper case is for the park feature so the wipers don't stop mid cycle when you turn the wiper switch off). Chevy installed a star washer to cut into the metal and typically DID NOT PAINT the back of the dash were the wiper switch is. After many years corrosion can create a poor ground at the wiper switch and cause the wipers to slow down, or STOP. Many have soldered, or physically attached a ground wire to the wiper switch case.

Good luck. Nice to see someone really go through a car and get it done right.

[cad-kid]

Nice to see someone really go through a car and get it done right.

Thanks!

[steve57]

Nice video of your Corvair

[BobWitt]

Jeremy - enjoyed the video - thanks for posting... I've been very busy using my car (and non-Corvair stuff) so I'm behind on posting... As the weather is supposed to be cool here in Michigan this weekend, I just might put her up for the winter projects... When that happens I'll be back to more frequent posts...

My best and nice car!

[cad-kid]

Jeremy - enjoyed the video - thanks for posting... (snip) My best and nice car!

Thanks for checking out the vid and kind words Bob!

[cad-kid]

Nice video of your Corvair

Thanks for watching Steve

[PressurizedPancake]

Well, cad-kid, today marks 3 years since she came home and you posted her up here for everyone to see. I think you have done a fine job of researching what you wanted to do, and executing even the little projects to a nice level. I speak for myself and I see others share my feelings of seeing your progress and true enjoyment of your Corvair as inspiration to push ahead on our own projects so we can enjoy the ride and listen to that sweet flat-6 music.

Job well done, sir! What's next?

[cad-kid]

Nicely said PP I exceed my goal of doubling the amount of miles driven in 2014 (approximately 2000).
This year I put about 5000 miles on

Before the car went into storage the clock and the driver's seat came out. For the clock I will repair the auto fast/slow adjustment. For the seat I will tackle rebuilding the spring suspension.

To bad that I have so many non Corvair projects that need some attention