C3 Wiper Activation Vacuum Canister

[Jack O.]

Hi,
I removed my wiper activation vacuum canister (68, early 69) because it recently stop working. It's extremely hard to move by hand and was not in the past so I'm sure this is the problem. Is there anything that can be used to lubricate or otherwise enable the canister mechanism to move more freely. Does anyone rebuild these? Visibly it's in very good shape still retaining its original gold cad color.
Thanks,
Jack

[Terry F.]

Re: C3 Wiper Activation Vacuum Canister

I would spray the inlet tubes with silicone spray. If someone sprayed oil inside of it, it will gum up and stick on you. Possibly what happened. Also lube the shaft with silicone spray. Hard to imagine what could cause it to stick though??? There are people that can rebuild them but I can't recall where I saw that. Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Wiper Activation Vacuum Canister

Jack------

There are some folks that rebuild these, although I don't know if the "rebuild" actually involves anything more than replacing the seal and re-plating them. I just don't know how one of these things could be "opened up" and re-sealed. In your case, I don't think that a seal replacement is going to solve the problem. However, finding out if it can be made operative again might be worth a try. The sources that I know of that "rebuild" these things, or at least, used to rebuild them are as follows:

Caledonia Classic Cars of Belding, MI (888-245-5224)

Dave's Corvette Restoration of Huston, TX (281-488-7813) (davehr@hotmail.com)

By the way, if all else fails, reproductions of this style canister are available.

[Jack H.]

The reproduction units...

are 'rock hard' and almost impossible to move by hand. The last one I bought sure appeared to be 'defective' due to the high friction, BUT, there was a note in pack with it. The note essentially said not to 'panic' and worry about the seemingly high friction and to go ahead, install it, and let vacuum pressure do the work...

OK, I doubted it would work but went ahead and installed the canister anyway. To our mechanic's SHOCK, as soon as engine generated vacuum was applied, the canister opened and closed smoothly!!!