61 Wiper Control Assembly

[dennisb]

I purchased a windsheild wiper control assembly off ebay. Seller insists it came off a 58 but the cable is about 8 inches too short. From the little I could find, a 58 should fit a 61. Am I wrong or is the seller giving me a line of BS?

 

[dennisb]

If no one can help me on this question, let me try this. My existing wiper switch works but it does not hold the vacuum for the washer system. The wiper switch I bought off ebay holds the vacuum but the cable is 8 inches too short. Can I easily switch the cables and if so, how would one go about it?

I am still curious to know if the cable is 8 inches too short how it could have come out of a 58 if it's the same as a 61.

 

[maxphunn]

I purchased a windsheild wiper control assembly off ebay. Seller insists it came off a 58 but the cable is about 8 inches too short. From the little I could find, a 58 should fit a 61. Am I wrong or is the seller giving me a line of BS?

Hi Dennis. CCentral catalogue shows same for 58-62. Where do you have the cable exiting the firewall?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Well, mine doesn't have washers so I can't help much there but as for the wiper controller It is possible that the one you bought is not Corvette or not '58-'62. Chevy called it a controller since it is not electrical. The same part, # 3743413, was used in all '58-'62 Corvettes. Prior Corvettes and other Chevrolets used a different number. As well as I can remember from my old GM parts days the only difference in these parts was the cable length required for the specific application.

The one you bought could be for a '57 or older Corvette where the controller was mounted in the lower middle of the dash and required a shorter cable. Or it could be for some other Chevy.

Bottom line: If it hasn't been altered and the cable is too short it isn't a 3743413. I'm not sure if the cable can be replaced. Seems like some sources used to rebuild these. Anyone else know?

Tom

 

[dennisb]

I'll have a look tonite exactly where it's coming out of the firewall and check against the assembly manual just to make sure mine is correct. I did measure the cable (the one from ebay) and it's 24 5/8" from the wiper switch to the end of the cable. If the 57 had the wiper motor closer to the middle it could be for that year.

The following number is stamped on the side of wiper switch/controller: 87010-61. Maybe this number might help identify it. But if the controller were the same and only the cable length varied it may not. I'm inclinded to think that it is not from a corvette or is an earlier year than 58 as Tom suggests. But I want to be able to be sure before I confront the seller. And if he still insists it's a 58, then I'll look to re-list it on ebay as the correct part and with the cable measurement.

Corvette Central offers wiper switch rebuild.

 

[maxphunn]

I'll have a look tonite exactly where it's coming out of the firewall and check against the assembly manual just to make sure mine is correct. I did measure the cable (the one from ebay) and it's 24 5/8" from the wiper switch to the end of the cable. If the 57 had the wiper motor closer to the middle it could be for that year.

Dennis, I measured mine (1959) at approx 31-1/2". Under the dash to the grommet is about 23", other side of the grommet to end of outer cable about 8".

 

[dennisb]

Thank you Max. I really appreciate your taking the time to measure your cable.
I will measure the cable on mine tonite to see if it is the same as yours. But knowing the one I bought measures 24 5/8 inches and is about 8 inches too short, I expect to come up with about the same measurement as you did.

Maybe I should just get my current one rebuilt.

Bring back hockey, eh?