Windscreen wipers question

[peteracs]

Hi

Am I correct in thinking that there are two different length wiper arms, the longer is centrally mounted, the short next to the driver?

Also what size wiper blades are fitted to each of them?

I have the original silver coloured arms, but no blades.

I also have a pair of the black one ones if anyone is in need of any.

Peter

[rossocorsa]

I'm not sure of the size off hand but I think originally they were probably those rather delicate looking Carello ones

[HFStuart]

Both 18" I think - which was unusually long in the 70s. And yes should be the Carello ones that are a push fit on the arms.

[peteracs]

Hi Stuart

Many thanks, I assume the Carello ones are stainless rather than the normal black finish you normally get now?

Any idea which spindle the longer arm goes on?

Peter

[frankxhv773t]

If it's blades rather than arms you are after then my '78 Coupe was fitted with this style of Trico blade which looked very stylish.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trico-Speedblade-Wiper-Blades-14-Inch-STAINLESS-STEEL-Pair/363047417673

[peteracs]

Hi Frank

I think they are the original Carello type. I found an old pair I my spares and say licenced to Trico.

Thanks. Will have a look for a pair of 18 inch ones

Peter

[rossocorsa]

Hi Stuart

Many thanks, I assume the Carello ones are stainless rather than the normal black finish you normally get now?

Any idea which spindle the longer arm goes on?

Peter

They were available in both silver and black, I know as I actually have a new pair of black ones somewhere.

[rossocorsa]

Hi Frank

I think they are the original Carello type. I found an old pair I my spares and say licenced to Trico.

Thanks. Will have a look for a pair of 18 inch ones

Peter

Why not just refill them with new rubbers? Everyone used to do that back in the day

[peteracs]

Hi Alan

Now if I knew where to look, then I would have. Finding the Trico ones proved difficult, they do not list on their EU website just the Classic range on the US one. I contacted Tex in the U.K., or at least their agent and they have stainless blades in stock for the Beta, and not expensive, so a pair are on order.

Peter

[frankxhv773t]

Peter, perhaps you can tell us how you get on and post some pictures and a link to the supplier if they turn out to be good.

[peteracs]

Hi Frank

I will do so. Also deciding on how best to sort out the wiper arms. I found a few more this morning so have a few to choose from which is nice. Debating if they will just clean up or if they need a spray of paint. The springs are a little crusty, but not easily replaced.

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Peter

You can get the springs plated. No need to de rust them ahead of plating.

Eric

[peteracs]

Hi Eric

From what I can see to get the springs off requires removing a rivet which I really do not want to do.

Peter

[mtulloch]

The wiper arms on my VX are definitely different lengths, can't remember which is which offhand though.

[peteracs]

It on first sight appears odd the arms are different lengths but the blades are the same length. It must work however as that is what was originally on the cars.

Will have a play when the blades arrive

Peter

[frankxhv773t]

I checked my 1977 Spider this afternoon and the off side (driver's side) arm is shorter. The blades fitted are the same length both sides.

[peteracs]

Hi Frank

Thanks that would have been my guess

Peter

[peteracs]

Peter, perhaps you can tell us how you get on and post some pictures and a link to the supplier if they turn out to be good.

Hi Frank

Here are a couple of photos of the blades. Not as elegant as the original Carello ones, but U.K. made apparently and decent quality. They now make my arms look pretty shabby, so going to see if they have the arms available, which given the massive range of arms I suspect they will have.

You can find them here

https://texautomotive.com/

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi

Spoke with a guy called Chris at Tex and they can make the arms in the correct shape and size, but they only have the 9/16 splined ends available. He did suggest there may be adapters available, but unsure where. Anyone ever hear of this adapter? Also am I wasting my time and should just look for original Trico/Carello arms in stainless?

If you think it is worth following up, then happy to look at modifying some of the existing adapters which appear plentiful, albeit some matching will be required to get it to fit on the existing spindles.

Peter

[peteracs]

Hi

I have posted this on my restoration thread, but thought I should also include here in case folk are searching later.

I decided to purchase a pair of stainless wiper arms and blades from Tex, their parts are made in the U.K. They did not have a pattern for my arms, so I sent a pair along to them to copy. They only have what they call the Lucas fitment which is a simple splined spindle of approx 14mm diameter. This is held in via a clip on the arm which fits into a recess at the bottom of the splined part of the spindle. I managed to find some ‘adapters’ which I drilled and seem to fit to the standard Beta spindles, which have M8x1.25 thread. I have seen some similar adapters which are sold as for 1940-1960 US based Fords which I think are the same OD and fasten via grub screws. I have attached a few photos showing the adapters I bought and part number of the Tex blades and arms. The upper p/n is for the blade, 18”, the middle is for the smaller of the two arms and the lower is the longer.

I hope this helps someone in the future.

Peter