what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

[Harry L.]

I just made a wiper refill purchase from John Pirkle"s stand at the corvettes at Carlisle show for my 66 vette. My TRICO wiper blade is 15 and 5/8 inches long, and the rubber refill is 15 inches .The refill has the 3 ribs, but it is questionable to me,. that it is shorter than my blade. The refill on now, is the same length as the blade. How can I know that this is the correct refill ? There are many patent numbers or numbers on the new refill. Are there any wiper refill experts out there? Does anyone have any pictures of 66 or 67 wiper refills? DUTCH

[Jim C.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Harry,

Try to get a hold of Pete Lindahl. He'll get you straightened on the wipers. He's also very helpful with keys and locks. I've purchased wipers, keys and locks from him, and all went VERY well. Good luck.

Jim C.

[Mike M.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Harry,
Factory production Trico rubber inserts (refills) were 15" long with three ribs, patent and parts#'s.
(I won't confuse the issue with very early '66 assemblies or those supplied by Anco.)
Is the "Blade" to which you are referring actually the "Holder" of the rubber insert.
It may appear that the additional 3/8" in your holder length may be the issue.
Good idea for Pete to confirm. However, if Mr. Pirkle say's the inserts are correct, they probably are.
HaND

[Tony S.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Mike. Are Anco's also correct for '65?
Tony

[Jack H.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Crack open your copy of the '65 AIM and you should see there's only one PN called out for the wiper arms but TWO PN's called out (a primary and a second PN labeled 'OPT') for the wiper blades. The second PN points to Anco wiper blades that fit/function on the Trico wiper arm.

Now, to be techincally correct, the blades should match: Trico blade holders with Trico rubber inserts or Anco blade holders with matching Anco rubber. I wouldn't expect to see a set of Trico blade holders stuffed with Anco refills or vice versa...

[Mike M.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Hi Tony
Current research shows '65 production wipers were supplied by Trico only and were carried-over from '64 production.
The cast pivot is chrome plated, the arms and flat top holders were polished stainless. The inserts have an evenly spaced row of "Dots" runnung their full length rather than lines.
HaND

[Michael H.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Hi Tony
Current research shows '65 production wipers were supplied by Trico only and were carried-over from '64 production.
The cast pivot is chrome plated, the arms and flat top holders were polished stainless. The inserts have an evenly spaced row of "Dots" runnung their full length rather than lines.
HaND

Some early Trico "frosted/dull" blade holders have the "dot" refills like those used for 63-65.

[Tony S.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Thanks guys. Those dotted shiny Tricos are TOUGH to find. I'm looking.

[Jack H.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

The term 'correct' has several connotations: (1) as factory equipped which will absorb a 0% originality deduction during judging, or (2) fits and functions in the original blade holders as designers intended.

From the standpoint of #1, most agree you want Trico RF-15 parts from the era where the sidewall does NOT have 'dots' but DOES have extrusion lines. See pix.

From the second point of view, Trico 41-150 comes closest (latch lock, twin metal side rails with 'cross-over' connecting gussets) but there are other/later refills with slightly different construction likeTrico 43-150 refills that still feature latch locks and have metal side rails WITHOUT the cross-over construction. Both the 41-150 and 43-150 refill will typically lack the extrusion lines on their rubber sidewalls.

I'm pretty sure John Pirkle sold you what's right because he's had YEARS of experience in this field. But, there WERE minor variations in the Trico 15-inch blade holders as different cars had different curvature characteristics to their windshield glass! Fords from the same era are known to have MUCH more curvature...

So, do you know if your blade holders are INDEED correct/original Corvette parts?

[Michael H.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

From the standpoint of #1, most agree you want Trico RF-15 parts from the era where the sidewall does NOT have 'dots' but DOES have extrusion lines. See pix.

Here's an NOS early 66 blade assy. with a dotted insert. I've had several over the years and still have a few.
I don't know how long this style refill was used in early 66 production.

[Peter L.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Michael - I've seen several examples of NOS TRICO wiper blade assemblies with the brushed or dull finish flat topped holders as used on early/mid 1966 Corvettes and other GM passenger cars with the insert (refills) with the "dots;" but all the examples I have seen have been in auto parts store or SERVICE TRICO packages. So far I have not been able to confirm that originally early 1966 GM cars had the brushed finish holder blades with the refills with the "dots." From a judging perspective, it someone shows up with the "dotted" refills on an early 66, I'd be curious as to why they went to the trouble but I'd give them full credit because we all know that GM did carry over items. Pete

[Michael H.]

Re: what is the correct rubber, wiper refill for 66

Michael - I've seen several examples of NOS TRICO wiper blade assemblies with the brushed or dull finish flat topped holders as used on early/mid 1966 Corvettes and other GM passenger cars with the insert (refills) with the "dots;" but all the examples I have seen have been in auto parts store or SERVICE TRICO packages. So far I have not been able to confirm that originally early 1966 GM cars had the brushed finish holder blades with the refills with the "dots." From a judging perspective, it someone shows up with the "dotted" refills on an early 66, I'd be curious as to why they went to the trouble but I'd give them full credit because we all know that GM did carry over items. Pete

Thanks Peter...

The only 66 I remember as having what looked like a correct brushed (or blasted??) holder with a dotted refill was #616, and it only had one on the pass side.
I suppose it's possible that Trico used up the last of the dotted refills for early 66 but it's also possible that this one old original had been replaced at some time in the distant past.

I'm with you. I doubt I'd deduct points if I were judging and came across a very orig early 66 with dotted refills.

I would guess a correct dotted refill for that era would actually be more difficult to find than the later ribbed design refill.

[Peter L.]

Re: ANCOs on 1965 Corvettes

Jack - The copy of the 65 Corvette AIM I have lists only one part number, 3871085, for the BLADE ASM (UPC 1 ASM, SHEET E2). The REVISION RECORD shows the change from 3830603 BLADE was 8-13-64.

It's interesting to note that part number 3871085 according to the Chevrolet Parts & Accessories Catalog (P&A 30, Revised October 1, 1966) is listed in Group Number 10.146 as follows:

65 PASS, CORVETTE.......(15 long)(ANCO)........ 3871085

Noland Adams' book also shows information on the ANCOs and I've seen them on 1965 Corvettes and other 1965 GM passenger cars. Very striking.

Pete