Question on C3 wipers

[Jack H.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Go 'shopping' at your friendly local scrap yard. Look for 'narrow' windshield Chevy passenger cars from that era (Camaro, Nova) and you should find a set of 'correct/original' 16" Trico blade holders for your Corvette (perhaps sans the blackout finish)...

[Jack H.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

I'm not so certain the blade holders he pictured are 'correct' for the era Tricos... My recollection is the distant end (away from the latch lock) of original holders was crimped into a fold to prevent the refill from 'overhanging' the holder.

From what I can see in the pictures posted, both ends of the blade holder are open allowing the refill to protrude...

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Found a source for supposedly correct Trico's. I ordered them and we'll see...

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Those look to be today's Trico service replacement blade holders. Note they're thick at the center pivot attachment and narrow toward the blade holder ends. That tiny bit of difference in blade holder upper surface geometry can pose a fit/function problem with early Shark cars...

Since the washer tubes are integral to the arms, the tube raises over the blade on one side (RH) to put washer fluid down on the inside edge of the blade's rubber. The extra width at the peak of the blade holder can create an interference fit issue with the RH washer tube causing the assembled blade to sit taller on the glass than the factory original did. Sitting taller can wind up creating a top side interference between the blade and the wiper door during wiper shut down/parking operations.

That's one of the reasons I like to keep a handful of used factory original 16" Trico blade holders around. They fit and function better than either today's service replacement blades from Trico or 'clone' blades do.

Fortunately, 73's don't have that pesky wiper door.

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Problem solved, found NOS Trico holders with Trico inserts, exactly 16":

[Peter L.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

William - The wiper blade assemblies look great. One point on installation. The wiper blade assemblies are usually installed on the arms with the Latch-Lock clip of the refill is at the bottom end. The passenger side wiper blade assembly installation is typical while the driver side wiper blade assembly installation should be flipped 180 degrees so the Latch-Lock clip is at the bottom. Pete

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

William - The wiper blade assemblies look great. One point on installation. The wiper blade assemblies are usually installed on the arms with the Latch-Lock clip of the refill is at the bottom end. The passenger side wiper blade assembly installation is typical while the driver side wiper blade assembly installation should be flipped 180 degrees so the Latch-Lock clip is at the bottom. Pete

Oh. That would make "TRICO" read upside down on the driver's side. Is that right?

[Peter L.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

William - The happens all the time with wiper blade assemblies that rest towards the middle since both wiper blade assemblies are identical usually down to the logo stamping.

My experience is that the judges look for the logo and are not looking for the logo on the wiper holders to read right side up or down. But they should be looking at installation.

Your car, your call; but please check around on other cars on the wiper blade assembly installation.

Pete

[Jack H.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Ain't it amazing what happens with the right parts?

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

William - The happens all the time with wiper blade assemblies that rest towards the middle since both wiper blade assemblies are identical usually down to the logo stamping.

My experience is that the judges look for the logo and are not looking for the logo on the wiper holders to read right side up or down. But they should be looking at installation.

Your car, your call; but please check around on other cars on the wiper blade assembly installation.

Pete

Thanks. Anyone else care to chime in about driver's side Trico label up or down?

[Jack H.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

I agree with Pete... The latch lock ends were typically installed toward the bottom to increase visibility through the glass during sweeping action.

As far as the orientation of the Trico emboss, this is a non-issue in my mind, as Pete said...

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

Many have Trico on both ends, those that don't just don't.

[Jack H.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

An EXCELLENT explanation! I've seen that on C2 era blade holders and heard various stories regarding how that indicated a difference between factory original and service replacement parts. But, I LIKE your explanation much better, Terry!!!

[William M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

I think I finally got it right. Thanks guys!

[Terry M.]

Re: Question on C3 wipers

I thought the Lock-latch goes toward the bottom. That is what Jack said above, and what we looked for at the Regional this weekend. Of course I was the rookie and relied on John Ballard for advice. Exterior judging is not usually my domain.