Aiming C3 windshield washers

[Jon S.]

I just rebuilt the washer pump on my '69. It works great. So great, in fact, that it shoots fluid right over the top of the car now. I don't see any way to aim the nozzles. The washer tubes run up the length of the arms, bend 90 degrees at the end, and then the end of tube is crimped. A hole for the fluid is drilled on each side of the tube so that they shoot parallel with the glass, not toward the glass. I could twist the tube to get one to shoot at the glass, but then the hole on the other side would be shooting away from the glass. I have what appear to be the original tubes. I compared them to a couple other '69s and found the same setup, but their washers don't work, so I couldn't compare how they shoot.
They do work fine when the car is moving, which makes sense. But I'm prepping the car for a PV, and the book says that they should shoot at the glass when the test is done while the car is stationary. Is there a trick to aiming these things or is that about as good as it gets?

Thanks,
Jon #10673

[Harmon C.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

I think you will find three holes in the end of the tube and one points at the windshield on original tubes. You may have a pluged hole. You can bend the tubes some but they work better while in driving.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

I haven't looked recently, but I think there are 3 holes too. Anyhow, mine squirt all over the place....over the top of the car, etc. I'm just happy that they work Haven't tried to adjust them, but the only way this could be done would be to bend/twist/tweak the ends of the tubes. Chuck

[Dave S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Jon,

Just went through the same thing while preparing my 71 for a PV. The drivers side has a bend in it allowing the outlets to discharge close to the glass and that side seemed to work well. The problem was with the passenger side where the outlet holes were about 3/4" above the glass surface due to clearance requirements needed when the wipers "park" in the well as the tube must be high enough to clear the drivers wiper blade. I must have adjusted that side 25 times. I finally found a point that still had a little spray on the vinyl top and left it at that. I broke the solder that holds the tube to the wiper arm and put the epoxy glue into action. Good Luck with the PV.

[Jon S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Thanks folks. I'll check for that third hole.

Dave - was what you ended up with acceptable for your PV?

Thanks again,
Jon #10673

[Dave S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

I believe the NCRS PV judge recognizes the difficulty in adjusting these nozzles and some reasonable "slack" is given recognizing that the washers are typically used when the car is moving. You need to be sure that they don't squirt over the roof and onto the rear decklid, but I think some minor spray onto the roof is OK. My car did pass that part of test and thankfully all the others as well.

[Al S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

If the holes are clogged it could be a combination of dirt and dried minerals from the water. Go to your nearest welding supply distributor and get a torch tip cleaner. It's an assortment of all sizes of serrated wires in a holder. Select the proper sized wire that matches the hole in your spray nozzles and gently ream it out. They work great.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Dave The two holes on the side of the tube are 180 degrees apart as you can run a wire straight thru. I think they can't be adjusted to not spray all over when parked because of the way they are made and the pattern of the wipers. If adjusted so one side sprays on the window ,at the top of the wiper arm travel you could spray the Judge standing by the fender with the other hole.

[Dave S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Lyle,

You are correct. One needs to get the right nozzle as close to the glass surface as possible but still provide the clearance for the drivers wiper blade to pass under it. That will keep the spray as close to the windshield as possible and minimize the overspray onto the hood or roof.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Jon I checked today and their are three holes. One points at the windshield and as you said the other two are parallel to it. The better your pump works the harder it will be to keep the water on the windshield. I think they were designed to work at speed not sitting still.

[Jon S.]

Re: Aiming C3 windshield washers

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I did have a 3rd hole, and it was kind of plugged up on the right side arm. I opened it up and that helped. I also gave the right one a little twist to minimize the spray over the car, and I guess that's about as good as it gets if the car isn't moving.

Jon #10673