windshield wiper kit???

maxwedge5281 · February 08, 2017, 02:59:26 PM

looking for suggestions for an aftermarket windshield wiper kit that will fit into an austin healey 100-6. my wipers work and mechanism is in good condition...but with only one speed and very slow, i am not sure that they would do much good even in a light shower. thanks for suggestions.

DiDueColpi · February 08, 2017, 03:12:45 PM

If your linkage is good, then give some thought to upgrading the motor only.
I think something like the 2 speed one from a TR6 is a virtual bolt-in.

BlownMGB-V8 · February 08, 2017, 04:45:24 PM

Any upgrades for the MGB wiper motor?

Jim

DiDueColpi · February 08, 2017, 08:53:35 PM

If it's more power you need the only one I know of Jim, is the Rover 3500, Triumph Stag, Jag xj motor.
It's a two speed and it's a 16w vs the more common 9,12 or 14w units.
The "w" does not indicate wattage. The number indicates the length of the motor if I recall correctly.
The longer motors are of course more powerful.
Make sure that you check the drive gear # before you install the motor. As they come in many different strokes.
The numbers start @95 for the shortest stroke up to 130 for the longest.
All of the actual gear portions are the same so you can just swap in your old one if its in good shape.
Having said all that the B wiper motor should be more than up to the task. If it's struggling you probably have a bind somewhere or possibly just be due for a rebuild.

Cheers
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 09, 2017, 05:26:08 AM

fred, can you be a bit more specific about the tr6 wiper motor. i assume you are suggesting just the motor...separate from the drive assembly and bolt this motor onto that. also is it a two speed assembly.? i would prefer this over an aftermarket kit. thanks, maxwedge5281

DiDueColpi · February 09, 2017, 12:15:29 PM

It is a two speed Larry.
And you do just bolt it up to the existing drive cable assy.
The wiring is very simple and I believe that the tr6 switch fits your dash without modification.
When you're hunting for one check the wires going into the motor itself. The two speed units have three wires instead of two.
Also check the motor case. You want a round one instead of the squarish one and a 14w or higher number stamped on it.

Cheers
Fred

MGBV8 · February 09, 2017, 12:17:46 PM

Rain-X

maxwedge5281 · February 09, 2017, 12:31:04 PM

thank you fred. maybe a two speed motor and rain-x might just do the trick!

maxwedge5281 · February 09, 2017, 01:47:39 PM

fred, i just took my wiper motor, transmission and wiper boxes out. and, the healey wiper motor is "squarish" which causes me to ask ...will the round motor bolt up properly to the healey wiper transmission? sorry to question your comment but it does seem that the round is maybe wrong. thanks, larry

DiDueColpi · February 09, 2017, 03:10:58 PM

The connection is the same.
The square motors are a wound field coil design while the round motors are a much more powerful permanent magnet style.

maxwedge5281 · February 09, 2017, 06:11:12 PM

fred, if i understand you are saying use the entire tr6 motor and transmission assembly and just hook up the healey drive cable and wiper boxes. i was thinking that the tr6 motor would be bolted to the healey transmission and drive apparatus. looking at part numbers in the moss catalogue shows the same part number for the drive cable and the nut that secures the tubular housing to transmission.

DiDueColpi · February 09, 2017, 06:23:14 PM

That's the idea Larry.
Swapping motors on transmissions is possible, but only on like styles. IE square to square or round to round.
Much easier to use the complete assy.

tbo · February 09, 2017, 10:03:40 PM

Has the wiper mechanism been taken apart and cleaned? I had mine done on my TR6 and all the built up gunk of fourty years was removed from the cable and tube and everything worked like new. Just a thought.

DiDueColpi · February 16, 2017, 12:52:27 PM

Here you go Larry.

I don't know who to credit the image to. It is not mine, just found it on the world wide interweb.

The G/K wires, both at the switch and the motor are ignition power + (G/K = Green/ Pink)
The G/K wire to the motor can be constant power if you wish. This will let the wipers park with the ignition off.
The N/LG wire is power out from the motor to the switch to enable parking. Do not supply power to this wire, it will melt the parking switch. (N/LG = Brown / Light Green)
The R/LG wire is slow speed ( R/LG = Red / Light Green)
The U/LG wire is fast speed ( U/LG = Blue / Light Green)
The B wire is ground both at the switch and the motor. ( B = Black)

For parking purposes, When the wiper switch is in the park position the N/LG wire is connected to the R/LG wire. In all other positions the N/LG wire must remain disconnected as it alternates between power and ground to park the motor.

Hope that helps.
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 16, 2017, 05:23:27 PM

fred, thank you so much for the diagram. i think that i will buy a tr6 wiper motor switch and place it under the dash within reach and hidden. then provide switched power to the proper terminal on the motor and switch and run this from my healey wiper switch on the dash. i can use the healey swich to provide power for the wipers. im not sure that i want to tackle wiring in a three way toggle switch. does this make sense?

DiDueColpi · February 16, 2017, 09:11:56 PM

Give this a try Larry.

You can retain the original wiper switch for the Healey and it will turn the wipers on and off as well as provide the park feature.
The SPDT switch can be hidden. It is used to choose between high and low speeds.
Keeps the stock look and only requires one relay and a switch to work.

Cheers
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 17, 2017, 07:38:56 AM

thanks fred. i will do that and see how it works. i already have the healey switch, three way toggle and plenty of wire. im sure that the relay is much cheaper than a tr6 switch. and, i can purchase the relay locally. ill let you know how it works..larry

maxwedge5281 · February 17, 2017, 11:24:37 AM

fred, is there any reason that the wipers and motor would not function properly if the motor was located on the passenger side as opposed to the drivers side as on the healey. the mounting shelf on the healey is not a very friendly location for the wiper motor. thoughts???

DiDueColpi · February 17, 2017, 12:20:58 PM

The wipers will work just fine no matter which end the motor is mounted on.
The only issue that will crop up is that the wipers will now park on the opposite side now that the motor is switched around.
You can remedy that by rotating the wiper gear boxes 180'.
While you're moving the motor you also have the option of lengthening, shortening or modifying the shape of the drive cable housing as needed.
You also have the option of changing the wiper gears or the transmission gear to modify the sweep angle of the wipers.

Live like you mean it.
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 19, 2017, 12:34:32 PM

fred, i bench wired the motor and switches and the motor works fine. i have to determine a passenger side mounting platform but i think it will be easier than trying to modify the original healey mount on the drivers side. thanks again and i may still have a question or two about parking position!!! got to get the motor mount determined and fabricated now....is there a position for the motor drive gear. i had to buy the motor and drive gear seperately do i position the drive gear in any special relationship to the wiper housing?

DiDueColpi · February 20, 2017, 12:05:35 PM

Whew..glad it's all working out.. I was just kinda winging it there for a while ;-).
Nothing special about the gear alignment. Just plop it in. But be careful with the park switch. It's a fragile, fiddly little thing.
The factory mount for that motor is just a big rubber covered strap.
It works well but leaves something to be desired on the aeshtetic side.
Make sure that it is insulated or you will hear the motor whine through out the entire car.

Cheers
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 22, 2017, 07:32:06 AM

fred, if i wanted to eliminate the healey on-off switch ....and use a three way toggle switch...on-off-on...instead, could i just tie the switched power wire into the healey switch together to the wire going to 86 on the relay? since i have an overdrive toggle switch on one side of the gauges i could match up the on-off-on toggle switch on the other side of the gauges and do away with the original healey wiper seitch. if i cant do this, no problem! also, i have about 20 degrees of excess sweep. where would i fine another gear and arm? or can i just shorten the actuating arm by maybe 3/16 inch? otherwise everything seems to be working well. i have not messed with the park feature...

DiDueColpi · February 22, 2017, 09:29:23 PM

Removing the Healey on off switch is do-able, but it would require the use of a DPDT center off switch in place of the speed switch or another relay .
Otherwise you would lose control of the park feature.
If you can find a switch that matches in the DPDT configuration I'lI draw up the wiring for you or show you how to do it with relays.
The sweep is adjustable by swapping out gears.
Larger wiper pivot gears will reduce the sweep or a shorter stroke motor transmission gear (smaller number stamped on gear) will reduce the sweep.
Shortening the connecting arm won't affect the sweep of the wipers.

Cheers
Fred

maxwedge5281 · February 23, 2017, 05:18:48 AM

well it seems to be working fine except for the excess sweep. i believe that the tr6 sweep is 115 degrees and the mgb is 105. degrees. ill call moss tomorrow and order a 105 degree drive wheel. thanks again.. not sure about the park feature yet.

maxwedge5281 · March 01, 2017, 12:51:58 PM

i got the 105 degree gear drive yesterday and installed it this morning. the 105 degree gear drive works just fine with the healey windshield and wipers. the mgb motor is the same as the tr6 with the exception of the degrees of sweep the tr6 is 115 degrees which is way to much for the healey windshield. the mgb 105 degree sweep is just right!!! very aggravating project!!! as a note, i have not gotten the self park feature to work so i will park the wipers manually which aint no big deal to me! thanks to fred for all his help!!