66 wiper arms revisited - NCRS Discussion Boards

66 wiper arms revisited

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  • Larry Rosamond

    66 wiper arms revisited

    I am having a difficult time understanding the finish of correct wiper arms for my (or anybody else's for that matter) 66. The car in question is a mid Feb (13th or 14th) production, vin# 13000. The info I have thusfar acquired is as follows and I am still in the dark.

    66 Judging Guide, pg 42: "The base of the wiper arm (which attaches to the pivot shaft) is a brushed stainless construction with a rivet and a slotted head screw that allows adjustment of the arm. Early cars may have bright finish wiper arms like 1965 production. Most 1966 wiper arms have a brushed finish on the main body. The base (attaching point) and the bayonet arm is polished."

    Base is mentioned in the first and last sentences in the above quote. The first sentence says the base is brushed stainless and the last sentence says the base is polished. If I do one of each would I be half right?

    Noland Adams, pg 322: "The 1966 wiper arms were p/n 3888297/8. .... But the wiper arms maintained their bright finish: It wasn't until 2/12/66 that most of the specifications changed from bright finish to dull or lee brush finish. These changes referred to the rivets, screws and the dye cast zinc head, the only part that had retained a bright finish on the stainless steel extension arm. Since it took some time to implement such a change, it was probably late March 1966 before the parts could have reached the St. Louis assembly line, approx vin# 18000."

    This passage has me completely befuddled. It seems that Noland is suggesting that the wiper arms were totally bright finished until well into March which is in conflict with the JG. Also, "These changes referred to the rivets, screws and the dye cast zinc head, the only part that had retained a bright finish on the stainless steel extension arm." just does not make any sense to me. I wasn't the best English student, shoulda paid more attention.

    The AIM, pg 67, does call for p/n 3888297/8, the change notation made in 7/65, basically for the beginning of the 66 production run. However, if someone could clarify what, how much and when changes were made to the finish of these arms, I would be grateful.

    I know this is plenty picky stuff and it is actually a little silly of me to be concerned with it as it's unlikely I'll ever show my car but I have read the above passages many times and just don't get it. I currently have aftermarket arms and want to get the correct ones.

    Thanks to all who spend their time helping others on this board.

    Regards, Larry
  • Everett Ogilvie

    #2
    Re: 66 wiper arms revisited

    This has always been a confusing issue, partly due to semantics. My early '66 (October '65) has arms where the "lower portion" is brushed finish ("lower portion" includes the swivel head that mounts to the rotating shaft and the thick body of the arm that attaches to the swivel head), and the upper thin arm is bright finish. My late '66 (May '66) has the brushed finish on the entire arm. I would think your car should have the entire arm with the brushed finish. Maybe Pete L will also jump in here to confirm/deny...

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    • Peter L.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • May 31, 1983
      • 1930

      #3
      Re: 66 wiper arms revisited

      Larry - Everett covered it well. My only comment where I don't totally agree with Everett would be that if the wiper arms that are on the car are the "original" ones as best as anyone can tell (BTW, there are distinct differences between the "original wiper arms and later GM Service parts), what you have are then "correct" for the car. When running changes occurred it's tough to say when things came in or went out. The St. Louis plant along with most of the other production facilities of that era. we're sterling examples of inventory control. Pete

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