Repaint details - Anyone ever delete the windshield sprayer nozzles?

[bluetick]

I am >< this close to sending my 1979 911SC out of state for a front and rear glass out respray. This is a tight low/budget job with a "friends and family discount" on the work. As part of the deal, I plan to replace the impact bumpers with RS fiberglass replacement bumpers.

I've been pouring over the details the past few days, and am wondering what to do about the windshield nozzles, of all things.

When I bought my SC, the windshield sprayer did not work. The car has been a semi-daily driver for 27 months now and I've manged to survive without it all this time. For background, I don't mind a driver that errs on the side of primitive (my other daily ride is a motorcycle). The car currently doubles as a track toy and I am generally hoping to transition the car over time to PCA Club Racing use.

Sooo.. I was thinking I'd delete the windshield sprayer motor when the front bumper is replaced (and probably hoses, reservoir, and such). That brings me to the nozzles. I am inclined to delete them too as part of the painting prep work. Does anyone see a downside to this?

[Ronnie's.930]

Well, if you ever sell the car as a "street car", as opposed to a dedicated racer, then you can bet the next owner will wonder why the hell some bozo deleted the windshield sprayer system down to welding up the holes for the nozzels. I don't know if you consider this a downside, but I believe that most people would.

[saxen]

down side is re-sale value and not having that function when it rains or something happens when you would need it for some reason.


upside, less weight, looks better, less to go wrong. its what you want. - go for it!

[JAR0023]

If you are on a budget then leave it alone and save the money. Otherwise you are right down the metaphorical street from me. I don't know how you survive without windshield washers.

If you don't mind me asking who is going to do the work? Just curious. I've spent the last 15 years dealing with bodyshops in the area. -J

[bluetick]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

If you are on a budget then leave it alone and save the money. Otherwise you are right down the metaphorical street from me. I don't know how you survive without windshield washers.

If you don't mind me asking who is going to do the work? Just curious. I've spent the last 15 years dealing with bodyshops in the area. -J

I drive the car in all kinds of weather and there have been plenty of times a windshield sprayer would have been nice but I've managed without it. The resell comments above are good ones though.... I am just wavering between deleting it and "really" deleting it.

As for who is doing the work.... My stepfather's avocation is building hot rods. He just stuffed a late model Shelby Cobra GT motor into a mid-60s Fairlane. It was a frame off restoration that included fabrication of a subframe to handle the torque of the big motor and all sorts of adaptations to fit that beast of a motor into that small engine bay and make it run. He just returned from the Syracuse Nationals where the car finished as a Tucci Top 10 and won "Best Ford in a Ford" among other awards. There is a local guy that helps him with welding, fabricating, body work, painting, etc. They need a new project so my car may be it if they can do it within my budget. We plan to make a decision within a week.

[JAR0023]

Sounds like it will be in good hands. Don't forget to post photos when done. -J

[bluetick]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Well, if you ever sell the car as a "street car", as opposed to a dedicated racer, then you can bet the next owner will wonder why the hell some bozo deleted the windshield sprayer system down to welding up the holes for the nozzels. I don't know if you consider this a downside, but I believe that most people would.

Bozo huh?

I have a reputation to uphold.

Perhaps I should reconsider deleting the functionally obsolete radio antenna too?

[bluetick]

Originally Posted by JAR0023

Sounds like it will be in good hands. Don't forget to post photos when done. -J

Definitely.

[Ayles]

If I ever get to that stage the antenna and washer nozzles are as good as gone.

Looking forward to seeing the end result!

[Ian Comerford]

Removing the nozzles will clean it up a lot and if you need water you could run small pipes onto the wiper arms instead, some cars do have this system as standard.

Just a thought

Ian

[pksystems]

Originally Posted by Ronnie's.930

Well, if you ever sell the car as a "street car", as opposed to a dedicated racer, then you can bet the next owner will wonder why the hell some bozo deleted the windshield sprayer system down to welding up the holes for the nozzels. I don't know if you consider this a downside, but I believe that most people would.

I was wondering WTF my nozzles went. One of the PO's decided they weighed too much or something. I have since redrilled, and ordered all parts.

[Elombard]

I never use them even when they work. Why not stop and clean the windshield properly if its that dirty?

I vote delete!

[schumicat]

I got my washer system working with an early 80s Toyota Celica rear washer/pump ($12 on ebay) and some rubber tubing. When I got car it had nothing left of the original washer system (which has about 1,000 parts) except the huge reservoir and the nozzles. I would just fix it on the cheap rather than close up the holes.

[porschenut]

My opinion is that you should get rid of them, as I did when I backdated my Carrera. What 911 owner with a brain drives their car in conditions requiring you to spray cleaning fluid on your windshield? All you need is wipers, for rainy weather. I had my car for 8 years and never used the washer fluid a single time. Even my daily driver Audi only gets that lever pulled about twice a year, after a snow storm when dirty backsplash gets on the windshield.

It makes the area look cleaner and is easier to polish and wax without getting residue stuck in and around the nozzles. Also saves weight and it's one less system to break on your car. It's one of the most useless things on the car, after the headlight washers and rear defroster.

[pkracer21j]

Hell go one step further and convert to a single wiper...

[CCM911]

In PA, the windshield washers are an Inspection item. If you have a tech that will give you a "Stevie Wonder"inspection, all is well. But what about the next owner? This could hurt resale.

[mrm930]

My opinion is don't do it. Unless its a track only car. I wouldn't want a street car without it - can be very dangerous in certain situations.

Having said that - If you never drive it in bad conditions - then this is a moot point. My slant and GT3RS will never be driven in the rain or bad weather. But those both still have the washers.

my 2 cents

[schumicat]

believe it or not, there are people who only have 1 car. the washer is useful for getting rid of spots/streaks after it rains (which is almost every day where I live) or when birds poop on windshield. also for melting ice/snow on windshield (not a problem I have but I had a rental in snowstorm in NJ once with empty washer and it resulted in 0 visibility). I agree that the factory system is ridiculously complicated and heavy; my Toyota-sources system weighs about 8 oz.


[QUOTE=porschenut;7567981]My opinion is that you should get rid of them, as I did when I backdated my Carrera. What 911 owner with a brain drives their car in conditions requiring you to spray cleaning fluid on your windshield? All you need is wipers, for rainy weather. I had my car for 8 years and never used the washer fluid a single time. Even my daily driver Audi only gets that lever pulled about twice a year, after a snow storm when dirty backsplash gets on the windshield.

It makes the area look cleaner and is easier to polish and wax without getting residue stuck in and around the nozzles. Also saves weight and it's one less system to break on your car. It's one of the most useless things on the car, after the headlight washers and rear defroster.

[bluetick]

Removing the nozzles will clean it up a lot and if you need water you could run small pipes onto the wiper arms instead, some cars do have this system as standard.



Just a thought



Ian

Very interesting idea.

[bluetick]

Hell go one step further and convert to a single wiper...

That is flippin' sweet!