Lighter wiper motor?

[javadog]

I've been thinking about building a new, lighter wiper motor/linkage assembly to replace the thousand pound boat anchor these cars came with originally. The linkage part is easy, finding a lighter wiper motor is more difficult. I want a multispeed motor, not something like a single speed rear wiper motor.

I've wondered if any of the newer Porsche models have a lighter motor. I've heard that a Honda motor, or Miata motor, etc. could be used but I have not seen any actual weight bandied about, just the usual internet hearsay...

Anybody been down this path before?

Thanks,
Jeff

[proffighter]

Would be interessed too!

Made this, drilled al lot and made some of the linkages and bearing houses incl. nuts out of aluminum.

[javadog]

I've seen your project, which is what started me to think about this in the first place. I'll do something similar. I wish you would have made some extra parts like the ones in your last photo...

JR

[RWebb]

Jim Calzia used a single blade on his car - IIRC, he used a 944 setup. I can look up some info on this if you want.

Can you guys post some numbers on wt. savings for the above work?

[javadog]

I suspect he used a rear window wiper motor, if my memory is any good. That's not the direction I want to go, as I want to have both wipers and at least 2 speeds.

I think Roland posted more info on what he did in another thread.

JR

[930cabman]

I ditched the entire assembly and simply keep her out of the rain, looks cool too without wipers

[JP911]

This one is multispeed: https://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?tpc=Adjustable-Race-Car-Wiper-Kit&form_prod_id=1245&action=product

Only a single wiper though.

[javadog]

Still looking. Anybody have any experience with a Miata, Lotus, or other small lightweight car? I'm thinking that there might be a lighter motor assembly in use somewhere.

JR

[manbridge 74]

What does the drive end look like?

Sacrilege maybe, but I'd go with a Denso motor from any 90s Jap car. They never die.

[javadog]

I did a little looking around and decided to go with a motor out of a 996/Boxster. I haven't weighed it yet but is should be 2-1/2 to 3 pounds lighter. A Miata motor might have been slightly lighter but I decided to use a Porsche part in the end. It mounts in a similar fashion to the old one.

Now, I just need to pursuade Roland to make me a pair of those nice aluminum bearing housings...

JR

[javadog]

Weighed the 996/Boxster motor today and it is 3 pounds lighter than the original, at 2 lbs 8 oz. The mounting bolts have the same bolt circle diamter, but the pattern is reversed 180 degrees, so it's not a bolt-on solution. The motor shaft is a little shorter and it's larger in diameter, so I'll probably be using the 996 lever, after rebending it to a different shape. That's okay, since I'll be making a new bracket anyway, so everything can be made to suit the new motor. I think it's two speeds only, so there's that difference, as well.

JR

[proffighter]

Originally Posted by javadog

Weighed the 996/Boxster motor today and it is 3 pounds lighter than the original, at 2 lbs 8 oz. The mounting bolts have the same bolt circle diamter, but the pattern is reversed 180 degrees, so it's not a bolt-on solution. The motor shaft is a little shorter and it's larger in diameter, so I'll probably be using the 996 lever, after rebending it to a different shape. That's okay, since I'll be making a new bracket anyway, so everything can be made to suit the new motor. I think it's two speeds only, so there's that difference, as well.

JR

Good news! Keep on posting how you'll get it work and even more important post some pics please

[javadog]

Originally Posted by proffighter

good news! Keep on posting how you'll get it work and even more important post some pics please

Okay, will do...

Originally Posted by javadog

now, i just need to pursuade roland to make me a pair of those nice aluminum bearing housings...

JR

[RWebb]

if you did a small run of the fabbed parts, you might find a market...

[proffighter]

The problem is, I make all my parts on a old school lathe, no CNC. Therefore I need too much time for even small series. The desired parts for example took me about 5 hours, for both including nuts, but anodizing was about 3hrs plus...

So even if I would gain some money, it's just too much time, sorry guys

BTW we don't know yet, if they will fail or not (you never know...)

[proffighter]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Can you guys post some numbers on wt. savings for the above work?

I will weight the unit, next time I take it out of the garage. Can someone weight the stock unit, as I forgot to weight before work?

[manbridge 74]

On a '74 the entire assembly is 7lbs. The motor weighs 4.1lbs. I've found a denso motor that weighs 2.2 lbs. Drill some holes and maybe another 1/2 lb. A lot of fabrication on mounting. Not a lot saved but it is up high.

[proffighter]

So finally I have the wiper unit on the scale. Complete with all nuts, screws, etc...

Ca. 3.2kg is not that bad

[manbridge 74]

Are you sure your scale is correct? Yours does look more substantial.

3.2kg = 7lbs which is what my stock 74 unit weighs via postal scale.