Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => Kaiser Forum => Topic started by: kingsgate on November 05, 2014, 11:06:35 AM

Title: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: kingsgate on November 05, 2014, 11:06:35 AM: I just bought a 1953 Kaiser Deluxe.

I am about to change the electrics to 12 volts, with an alternator.

Given that my vacuum-driven wipers are not currently working, I was wondering about simply swapping the vacuum motors for 12 volt electrical ones.

Has anyone else done this?

I found this web site offering electric wiper motor "conversion kits" for old Kaiser-Willys jeeps that originally had vacuum wiper systems:

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/54/willys-jeep-wipers-parts-electric-conversion-kits-parts-accessories

I wonder if these kits would just go onto a Kaiser car?

They look pretty good value (US$39.99 each set) - if they will fit - anyone know?

The same company offer "factory rebuilt" vacuum motors:

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/1856/willys-jeep-wiper-parts-original-vacuum-parts-accessories

But these cost $125 each.....

All information on this very gratefully received!
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: brian.b on November 07, 2014, 05:22:10 PM: whats wrong with your vacum wipers,,,,i have a 48 and mine didnt work so i took it apart and cleaned it and greased the paddle and now they work great....
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: HJ-ETEX on December 03, 2014, 08:39:44 PM: The motors I have used run a single 10" wiper - slowly. If you want electric wipers, the easiest route I know is to find a 51-53 Manhattan and take off everything including the arms and switch and use it on your car. I did not need to use a voltage drop resistor on my 51 Deluxe or my brother's 52 Manhattan - runs fine on 12V.
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: kingsgate on December 16, 2014, 02:30:06 PM: Is the wiper motor on the Kaiser Deluxe the same as on the 1951-1954 "Henry J" cars, does anyone know?

https://www.newportwipers.com/products.php?year=1951-54+Henry+J&make_id=18

This kit would be ideal, if the same wiper motor was used on both models.

Anyone know?
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: joefrazer on December 16, 2014, 05:36:22 PM: The Kaiser and Henry J vacuum wiper motors are not the same. They're listed using different part numbers.
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: kingsgate on December 17, 2014, 03:06:04 AM: Thanks for that.

So, what's the best way to fit an electric wiper motor to a Kaiser Deluxe then?
Title: Re: Fitting electric windshield wipers?
Post by: MilesP on December 17, 2014, 01:48:37 PM: Unless you are willing to do what HJ suggests don't. I had my vacuum motor rebuilt for my 51 and it works better than the electric one on my 55. If you re careful you could do it yourself it is a simple unit