[Rachelsdad]

Originally Posted by Parkman51

1. White Post says that Treadle-Vac units shouldn't be used with DOT 5 fluid. Should I use DOT 3, 4, or 5.1?

2. It looks like the vacuum wiper motor is simply gone. Should I attempt to replace it with vacuum or just put in an electric one? CPR's catalog shows that they have electric conversion kits.

1. Billy recommended I use DOT 3. DOT 4 is likely not required, but ask White Post for the current recommendation. I would guess it's still DOT 3, unless you're really planning to drive hard (and hot). Good article on brake fluid comparison: https://brakeshub.com/dot-3-vs-dot-4...1-brake-fluid/ .

2. I can't speak to the conversion. One of my '56's had the electric motor option installed; the other is vacuum. I managed to procure a NOS electric motor, but I will have both units overhauled (old grease is simply not helpful, and if you do get stuck in the rain, not having wipers is no joy).

Steve Hackel at Restoration Service (http://restorationservice.net/?page_id=8) is the guy to contact regarding electric wiper motor rebuilding/restoration. As for finding an electric motor as a core, eBay is currently coming up empty for me. You may need to contact Desert Valley Auto Parts (https://www.dvap.com). Their salvage yard does show a couple of '55's in stock (no idea what's left on them or whether they may have any motors on the shelf). (A note of warning about Desert Valley: All that glitters is not gold. They will send you pictures before you accept the purchase, but their packing leaves a lot to be desired and the pictures may not tell all the story - you need to ask for more if you are at all unsure.)

The above notwithstanding, California Pontiac Restoration does show an electric wiper motor which is supposed to mount in the factory position using factory mounts and such. It's probably similar to the offering from Ames (I haven't compared). On the upside, a reasonably convincing modern motor, while expensive by itself, might be cheaper than finding a core and having it rebuilt. If showing the car, this would make a difference, of course, but for driveability, the modern motor may function better overall, I simply can't say as I've never used one.