Original OEM WIPERS repair interest

[FW_Linc/Merc]

I still have my original wipers but the rubber failed a long time ago. They were made by Trico but no longer available. Does anyone still have their original wipers that did not work well? If so I may have found a way to recondition them. If there is any interest I would consider performing the service as I have found a very close match and a vendor that has some leftover blades that could be modified but I will not buy more than I need if there is no interest. YOU HAVE TO HAVE an original set to send to me.

Here is what the originals look like:

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FazZCCtQ--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_ 800/deeiplhfdqlzrplkj5vq.png

[BUCKWHEAT]

I bought a new set and left them in the box. Will the rubber be bad after 10 years of so?

[fastblackmerc]

I bought a new set and left them in the box. Will the rubber be bad after 10 years of so?

Depends on how and where they were stored.

[Svashtar]

I stored my original OEM wipers in the plastic sleeves that came with the Bosch wipers after very little use. They were essentially new. Last year I installed those OEM arms and after just a couple of uses the rubber fell off the blades. I didn't see any point in keeping them. Wish I had now but I didn't think restoring them was an option.

I don't think rubber like this holds up well over the long term, no matter how well it's stored, but maybe that was just those wipers.


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[fastblackmerc]

Not to rain on your parade.....

There are a bunch of beam-type wiper blades out there.

Rock Auto has at least 4 different types from $4.96 to $11.23

Denso has one that looks good - 160-3122

Anco has 2.

Trico has 7.

I may go this route:
http://www.wisewipers.com/

Apparently Wise Wipers use Valeo blades and refills. Valeo has excellent reviews all over the internet.

[Svashtar]

Not to rain on your parade.....

There are a bunch of beam-type wiper blades out there.

Rock Auto has at least 4 different types from $4.96 to $11.23

Denso has one that looks good - 160-3122

Anco has 2.

Trico has 7.

I may go this route:

http://www.wisewipers.com/

That's a great idea. I got the new Bosch ones that fit my car, (can't remember the model but got them at Autozone and they were one step below the top of the line icons which didn't fit). They were like $19 each IIRC.

They work great, and hug the windshield very well, but I'm not wild about the look. They work.

I like this refillable option though.


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[kirk]

Speaking from my experience with my '63...

This is good information. While 99% of owners probably won't give a rip, for those 1 percenters that will want a 100% correct restoration 10-20 years from now these wiper blades will be essential and extremely hard to come by.

Shortly after the Marauder came out there was a Ford bulletin on these wiper blades that stated they were discontinued due to high failure rates. A parts guy gave me a copy of the bulletin because he had never seen anything like it and knew my interest.

I have two pairs with the rubber still on them. I certainly wouldn't use them on the car. Their only value now is to that 100% correct restoration for a museum piece. That's what I'm holding mine for.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I purchased mine at Costco. They had a $2 coupon on each.
They cost $5.99.

[FW_Linc/Merc]

I use RainX and never use the wipers but really do not want to take the arms off just in case I might need the wiper sometime. All the replacements have larger mounting mechanisms which are noticeable from the inside and ruin the look from the outside. All the new wipers are thicker than the originals and while they work better they look chunky on the outside. I found a supply of the thin wiper arms but they have a very chunky mounting clip compared to the originals. By the time mine failed from not being used the originals were no longer available. As for how long the newer supply will last who knows. I do know they are better than my broke ones and less chunky than my current ones. For those wanting the original look for display I thought I would share the details.