WSW Pump Interchangeability

[Tony H.]

I have a 1970 Corvette with a windshield washer that I have repaired with JB Weld. Although I have not yet tested it (and I will this weekend), I would like to know if other GM cars had the same 5-port washer system so I can scavenge parts from salvage yards. I would like to have a replacement just in case the repaired pump fails. Does anyone know if any of the sister GM cars (like Cadilacs, etc.) had 5-port washer for headlamps and windshield washers similar to 1970 Corvettes? I suspect that GM would not set up this part for only one model and one year, but must have borrowed from other division(s).

Thanks for any help.

Tony

[Joe L.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Tony----

Even the 3 port pump assembly is uniquely Corvette, so I doubt that the 5 port would be otherwise. However, that doesn't mean that you're out of luck. Although the pump ASSEMBLY is unique to Corvettes, parts thereof are not. The same piston assembly was used on other 68-74 passenger cars. Furthermore, I am virtually certain that the piston assembly for the 3 port pump is the same as the 5 port pump; only the actual valve assembly is different. Finding a serviceable 3-port pump to salvage a piston assembly from shouldn't be all that difficult, especially considering the fact that a wide array of 68-74 passenger cars are potential donors. Unfortunately, both the original and later-issue replacement piston assemblies have been discontinued by GM.

[Joe L.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Tony----

Even the 3 port pump assembly is uniquely Corvette, so I doubt that the 5 port would be otherwise. However, that doesn't mean that you're out of luck. Although the pump ASSEMBLY is unique to Corvettes, parts thereof are not. The same piston assembly was used on other 68-74 passenger cars. Furthermore, I am virtually certain that the piston assembly for the 3 port pump is the same as the 5 port pump; only the actual valve assembly is different. Finding a serviceable 3-port pump to salvage a piston assembly from shouldn't be all that difficult, especially considering the fact that a wide array of 68-74 passenger cars are potential donors. Unfortunately, both the original and later-issue replacement piston assemblies have been discontinued by GM.

[Tony H.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Joe,

I am most interested in the piston/cylinder interchangeability and yes, there are a number of 68-74 donor passenger cars out there. However, the 3-port and 5-port caps and cylinders are NOT interchangeable. The 3-port cap has a circular rubber gasket which seals the cap assembly to the cylinder. The 5-port cap assembly uses a four-leaf clover shaped gasket. The only part that is exactly the same is the piston. The 3-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly is interchangeable with the 5-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly but only the piston is truly interchangeable of the individual pieces.

Thus, the original question gets refined to: Was there another GM model that used a 5-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly for the WS/HL washers like that of 1970 Corvettes?

Thanks for any help.

Tony

[Tony H.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Joe,

I am most interested in the piston/cylinder interchangeability and yes, there are a number of 68-74 donor passenger cars out there. However, the 3-port and 5-port caps and cylinders are NOT interchangeable. The 3-port cap has a circular rubber gasket which seals the cap assembly to the cylinder. The 5-port cap assembly uses a four-leaf clover shaped gasket. The only part that is exactly the same is the piston. The 3-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly is interchangeable with the 5-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly but only the piston is truly interchangeable of the individual pieces.

Thus, the original question gets refined to: Was there another GM model that used a 5-port piston/cylinder/cap assembly for the WS/HL washers like that of 1970 Corvettes?

Thanks for any help.

Tony

[Joe L.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Tony-----

I did some more research and you are correct---the 3-port piston assembly(which in GM parlance includes the piston and the "cylinder") is different for the 3 and 5 port pumps, contrary to what I thought. My misunderstanding was due, partially, to the fact that GM catalogued only one assembly to service all 68-74 applications. Obviously, that is incorrect because the 5-port pump could not have been serviced with this "piston assembly". As a matter of fact, upon further research, I discovered that the 5-port "piston assembly" was originally GM #4939239. This part was discontinued before 1972.

As far as which other GM cars, if any, might have used a 5-port pump, I couldn't tell you. There is a reference book which would provide me with that info, but I lack it. The main problem is that parts for the 5-port pump have been discontinued for so long that the "trail is cold".

As you are probably aware, the only thing that could require the services of a 5-port pump would be headlamp washers, as ineffective and absurd as that concept was. The only other car that I know had headlamp washers available as an option was the 1969 Camaro. However, I'm sure that the 69 Camaro would have used the 3-port pump like 69 Corvettes. Other GM cars, most probably luxury models like Cadillacs, Olds Toranados, or Buick Rivieras of the 70-71 period MAY have had headlamp washers. However, even if they did, they might have used a totally different system.

I had an opportunity today to examine a 5-port pump inasmuch as a friend of mine who is in the Corvette service and parts business has a used one in his inventory. In fact he also has an NOS 5-port valve kit which includes the 5 outlet cover---this is the only one of these that I've EVER seen in my Corvette travels and is an original "non-yellowed" plastic. He might be willing to sell them, but I'm sure he'd want a king's ransom for either of them. However, if you're interested in contacting him let me know by e-mail and I'll put you in touch.

[Joe L.]

Re: WSW Pump Interchangeability

Tony-----

I did some more research and you are correct---the 3-port piston assembly(which in GM parlance includes the piston and the "cylinder") is different for the 3 and 5 port pumps, contrary to what I thought. My misunderstanding was due, partially, to the fact that GM catalogued only one assembly to service all 68-74 applications. Obviously, that is incorrect because the 5-port pump could not have been serviced with this "piston assembly". As a matter of fact, upon further research, I discovered that the 5-port "piston assembly" was originally GM #4939239. This part was discontinued before 1972.

As far as which other GM cars, if any, might have used a 5-port pump, I couldn't tell you. There is a reference book which would provide me with that info, but I lack it. The main problem is that parts for the 5-port pump have been discontinued for so long that the "trail is cold".

As you are probably aware, the only thing that could require the services of a 5-port pump would be headlamp washers, as ineffective and absurd as that concept was. The only other car that I know had headlamp washers available as an option was the 1969 Camaro. However, I'm sure that the 69 Camaro would have used the 3-port pump like 69 Corvettes. Other GM cars, most probably luxury models like Cadillacs, Olds Toranados, or Buick Rivieras of the 70-71 period MAY have had headlamp washers. However, even if they did, they might have used a totally different system.

I had an opportunity today to examine a 5-port pump inasmuch as a friend of mine who is in the Corvette service and parts business has a used one in his inventory. In fact he also has an NOS 5-port valve kit which includes the 5 outlet cover---this is the only one of these that I've EVER seen in my Corvette travels and is an original "non-yellowed" plastic. He might be willing to sell them, but I'm sure he'd want a king's ransom for either of them. However, if you're interested in contacting him let me know by e-mail and I'll put you in touch.

[Jack H.]

Com'on Joe...

Washer pump is only 'Corvette-only' because of the pin-out to the washer solenoid. You can take the 'guts' out of any passenger car 3-port pump of the era and move 'em into broken Corvette washer and/or move Corvette solenoid into passenger car washer and BINGO fixed/NOS Corvette washer assy....

[Jack H.]

Com'on Joe...

Washer pump is only 'Corvette-only' because of the pin-out to the washer solenoid. You can take the 'guts' out of any passenger car 3-port pump of the era and move 'em into broken Corvette washer and/or move Corvette solenoid into passenger car washer and BINGO fixed/NOS Corvette washer assy....

[Joe L.]

Re: Com'on Joe...

Jack----

What you said is what I thought I said. The Corvette washer pump ASSEMBLIES are a Corvette-only item, but most of the COMPONENT parts are the same as other GM cars of the period. While it is definitely true that there is not a great deal of difference between Corvette and many other washer pumps, the Corvette assemblies are unique to Corvette. For example, the 72-73 washer pump assembly, originally GM #4919630 and, later, GM #22049790, is not catalogued for use in any other GM vehicle.

[Joe L.]

Re: Com'on Joe...

Jack----

What you said is what I thought I said. The Corvette washer pump ASSEMBLIES are a Corvette-only item, but most of the COMPONENT parts are the same as other GM cars of the period. While it is definitely true that there is not a great deal of difference between Corvette and many other washer pumps, the Corvette assemblies are unique to Corvette. For example, the 72-73 washer pump assembly, originally GM #4919630 and, later, GM #22049790, is not catalogued for use in any other GM vehicle.