Wiper Arm

[Jim Bristow]

I trying to locate a wiper arm, (drivers side) for a 1974 Vette. Q: Will an arm from any 1968-82 fit? Any suggestions where I can locate one? Thanks Jim Bristow

[Joe L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Jim----

The original left side wiper arm for your car was GM #3956245. This part was discontinued in 1976 and replaced by GM #355339. Unfortunately, the latter part number has also been discontinued. The 355339 arm was the original part for 75-82 Corvettes and serviced 69-74 models after the 3956245 arm was discontinued.

Any 1969 through 1982 Corvette arm will be a functional replacement for your car, but, if originality and functionality are desired, seek out an original arm from a 1969 through 1974 Corvette. 1968 arms are different and are a one-year-only item.

[Joe L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Jim----

The original left side wiper arm for your car was GM #3956245. This part was discontinued in 1976 and replaced by GM #355339. Unfortunately, the latter part number has also been discontinued. The 355339 arm was the original part for 75-82 Corvettes and serviced 69-74 models after the 3956245 arm was discontinued.

Any 1969 through 1982 Corvette arm will be a functional replacement for your car, but, if originality and functionality are desired, seek out an original arm from a 1969 through 1974 Corvette. 1968 arms are different and are a one-year-only item.

[Jack H.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Joe's advice is solid, now for some additional 'oops' information....

These assy's ARE discontinued and NOS as well as used pieces are bidding up rather smartly. One local parts/restorer here sold his last set of correct used arms last summer on an insurance theft claim for $350, the pair!!!!!!!!

If you have original arm but the washer squirter tube is history, Paragon makes repro washer tubes (LH and RH sold separate). You install by clamping into position and sliver solder to the washer tube clip on the wiper arm, blast assy clean and re-paint (both arm and brass washer tube were shot flat black originally).

The Catch-22 for these arms IS the washer tubes. They were affixed to the arm via one silver solder joint at top of arm AND 2-3 tiny injection molded plastic clips along side/bottom of arm. Clips 'let got' over time and then brass washer tube is free to move relative to arm, fatigue and break. Unfortunately, NOBODY that I know of is reproducing the plastic clips and it's a matter of time (unless you want to take some black electrical/friction tape and wrap the base of the arm/washer tube assy for strain relief -- not factory concours, but functional) before a newly attached washer tube is history.

Finding a COMPLETE and functional wiper arm with brass washer tube and plastic strain relief clips intact is an exercise in love/due diligence which explains why some (*&^'s resort to stealing from another's car!

[Jack H.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Joe's advice is solid, now for some additional 'oops' information....

These assy's ARE discontinued and NOS as well as used pieces are bidding up rather smartly. One local parts/restorer here sold his last set of correct used arms last summer on an insurance theft claim for $350, the pair!!!!!!!!

If you have original arm but the washer squirter tube is history, Paragon makes repro washer tubes (LH and RH sold separate). You install by clamping into position and sliver solder to the washer tube clip on the wiper arm, blast assy clean and re-paint (both arm and brass washer tube were shot flat black originally).

The Catch-22 for these arms IS the washer tubes. They were affixed to the arm via one silver solder joint at top of arm AND 2-3 tiny injection molded plastic clips along side/bottom of arm. Clips 'let got' over time and then brass washer tube is free to move relative to arm, fatigue and break. Unfortunately, NOBODY that I know of is reproducing the plastic clips and it's a matter of time (unless you want to take some black electrical/friction tape and wrap the base of the arm/washer tube assy for strain relief -- not factory concours, but functional) before a newly attached washer tube is history.

Finding a COMPLETE and functional wiper arm with brass washer tube and plastic strain relief clips intact is an exercise in love/due diligence which explains why some (*&^'s resort to stealing from another's car!

[Roberto L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Good info here Jack, I have what seem to be original arms but some of these tiny plastics are missing. I have a sample, perhaps it is possible to make one from plastic, carving and shaping it, then some paint. Have you seen something similar or is nonsense? Best from Argentina Roberto NCRS #30019 RMC

[Roberto L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Good info here Jack, I have what seem to be original arms but some of these tiny plastics are missing. I have a sample, perhaps it is possible to make one from plastic, carving and shaping it, then some paint. Have you seen something similar or is nonsense? Best from Argentina Roberto NCRS #30019 RMC

[Chuck G.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Hello Roberto; I have been looking for these clips for about 2 years. Nobody reproduces them. I have seen a few on original cars. I have seen 3 different styles of clips. I spoke with the fellows at Paragon at Spring Carlisle. They are thinking about reproducing them. They told me that there are 4 different styles. They will likely be relatively expensive if they reproduce them. Until I locate some, electricians tape will have to do. Chuck

[Chuck G.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Hello Roberto; I have been looking for these clips for about 2 years. Nobody reproduces them. I have seen a few on original cars. I have seen 3 different styles of clips. I spoke with the fellows at Paragon at Spring Carlisle. They are thinking about reproducing them. They told me that there are 4 different styles. They will likely be relatively expensive if they reproduce them. Until I locate some, electricians tape will have to do. Chuck

[Jack H.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Clips are different (LH vs RH arm as well as position on arm). I had to hunt high/low for a full set to replace those broken on 'Lil Red. When I was done, I did the 'no no' and applied a wrap of electrical tape around the base of each wiper arm (yes, Reba, you missed it) to protect my investment in restoration/preservation....

Haven't seen similar clips on passenger cars at the scrap yards. I KNOW for sure there's not a full set of clips left in the Denver area Corvette speciality shops (I ate 'em). Sure would like to see somebody like Paragon tool these items....

[Jack H.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Clips are different (LH vs RH arm as well as position on arm). I had to hunt high/low for a full set to replace those broken on 'Lil Red. When I was done, I did the 'no no' and applied a wrap of electrical tape around the base of each wiper arm (yes, Reba, you missed it) to protect my investment in restoration/preservation....

Haven't seen similar clips on passenger cars at the scrap yards. I KNOW for sure there's not a full set of clips left in the Denver area Corvette speciality shops (I ate 'em). Sure would like to see somebody like Paragon tool these items....

[Joe L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Jack----

Where did the Corvette specialty shops in your area get these clips in the first place? As far as I know, these clips were never available as a seperate, service part. They came only as part of the arm/nozzle assemblies. Were these clips, then, reproduced at some time in the past?

[Joe L.]

Re: Wiper Arm

Jack----

Where did the Corvette specialty shops in your area get these clips in the first place? As far as I know, these clips were never available as a seperate, service part. They came only as part of the arm/nozzle assemblies. Were these clips, then, reproduced at some time in the past?

[Jack H.]

Junkology 101

You're constrained too tightly to GM Group X/Item Y, Joe. Those who leave the 'good hands' of Mr. Goodwrench's showroom to walk the halls of automotive history and master in 'junkology' learn there are places where junk is junk and you can take what you want in self-serve environments.

So, in those few dedicated Corvette junk yards, before the blare of 'National Backorder' is heard, there are opportunities. One of my favorite lines, "In confusion there is profit" (Tony Curtis, Operation Petticoat)....

Before there is confusion, there is 'future' profit. When you could still get these Shark wiper arms, few cared about those that were badly bent at Corvette parts places or the 'odd ball' arm sitting in a traditional scrap yard that just happened to be a Corvette piece.

I looked at what was happening to 'Lil Red and saw the need to get a set of spare clips about six years back. Carefully pawed through 'discard' arms here/there to make me up a set. And stopped.

I only needed one set and sure enough the time came sooner rather than later. I'll admit it, I ate my own safety belt! Don't got no moe....

But, seems to reason this had to have been a Trico product for GM. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the injection tooling didn't get pitched and someone/somewhere (are you listening Richard Fortier?) will have the savvy to rev it up and cough out enough NOS plastic clips in one day to handle our needs for decades to come. So, I'm not in any great hurry to step up for my degree in Junkology 102!

[Jack H.]

Junkology 101

You're constrained too tightly to GM Group X/Item Y, Joe. Those who leave the 'good hands' of Mr. Goodwrench's showroom to walk the halls of automotive history and master in 'junkology' learn there are places where junk is junk and you can take what you want in self-serve environments.

So, in those few dedicated Corvette junk yards, before the blare of 'National Backorder' is heard, there are opportunities. One of my favorite lines, "In confusion there is profit" (Tony Curtis, Operation Petticoat)....

Before there is confusion, there is 'future' profit. When you could still get these Shark wiper arms, few cared about those that were badly bent at Corvette parts places or the 'odd ball' arm sitting in a traditional scrap yard that just happened to be a Corvette piece.

I looked at what was happening to 'Lil Red and saw the need to get a set of spare clips about six years back. Carefully pawed through 'discard' arms here/there to make me up a set. And stopped.

I only needed one set and sure enough the time came sooner rather than later. I'll admit it, I ate my own safety belt! Don't got no moe....

But, seems to reason this had to have been a Trico product for GM. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the injection tooling didn't get pitched and someone/somewhere (are you listening Richard Fortier?) will have the savvy to rev it up and cough out enough NOS plastic clips in one day to handle our needs for decades to come. So, I'm not in any great hurry to step up for my degree in Junkology 102!