C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

[Joel T.]

Folks;

Planning on bringing the 1965 to Mass. in September for the PV... One last thing that I am working on is the set up/function of the windshield washer and wipers.

In the AIM (thanks to Pappy for pointing this out) it shows the target areas for the washers as well as the "sweep" and resting positions for the wiper arms.. Two questions...

1) What do folks use to adjust the height of the washer nozzles??? A common sewing needle won't do, don't ask how I know..

2) On the wiper arms, are there any tricks to getting them properly aligned.. Is there an adjustment to lengthen or shorten arm length?? On mine, I can get them parked properly, and match the AIM dimensions but when they sweep they almost touch the window molding and somewhat interfere with each other when they park.. if they were a tad shorter the clearances would be better..

Any help is appreciated... BTW these are repro arms I am talking about.

Thanks!

Joel

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

1) What do folks use to adjust the height of the washer nozzles??? A common sewing needle won't do, don't ask how I know..

Factory originals SHOULD articulate using a pin/needle. The reproduction nozzles sold for MANY years were fixed position and will NOT articulate.
So, it depends on what's actually installed on your car...they could be aged reproductions..then you're on a fool's errand trying to adjust them!

Try squirting the washer ball with a decent penetrating oil, letting it sit/soak and try the pin/needle again. If that doesn't work, I'd venture to guess that what you've got were replaced in years past.

2) On the wiper arms, are there any tricks to getting them properly aligned.. Is there an adjustment to lengthen or shorten arm length?? On mine, I can get them parked properly, and match the AIM dimensions but when they sweep they almost touch the window molding and somewhat interfere with each other when they park.. if they were a tad shorter the clearances would be better..

There is no adjustment for wiper arm length. That portion of the geometry relies on the arms being correct/original.

The adjustment for sweep and park, is simply the orientation of the arm's installation onto the knurled wiper drive hubs. Once that's right, the slot head screws on the lower upper sides of the arm adjust blade cant (angle of blade relative to arm.

Most make that adjustment by rotating the adjusting screw through its full range, counting turns, and then setting 'nominal' position by putting the adjusting screw in the middle of its range. Install arms and blades on car and 'fine tune' each blade to achieve a position of their being parallel to the lower WS reveal molding when in rest position.

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

Hi Jack;

As always thanks for your sage advice...

On the washers, I have the "new" reproductions... I can see where the nozzle ball can move.. and I actually got one to hit the target area on the window (10" from the bottom and 10" from the center line). I managed to break two sewing needles trying to get this done and was hoping that someone had the proverbial "better idea"... Have one nozzle with the pin tip still in there which I could not clear with compressed air... the little buggers are expensive so I do not want to ruin any more...

On the wiper arms, are you saying that the screw on the side of the arm will adjust the angle of the wiper head?? I know the arms are "adjustable" but I never knew what that meant... Will try this when I get home tonight... If this is how it works, I suspect I can get this straightened out.

Regards,

Joel

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

Have one nozzle with the pin tip still in there which I could not clear with compressed air... the little buggers are expensive so I do not want to ruin any more...

The ball/socket interface WAS an interference fit to insure the ball retained its set/rest position. But, factory originals WOULD move/adjust with pin/needle insertion and NOT break the adjusting pin/needle. Consider sending the one that broke the adjusting pin/needle back to the supplier under warranty...

On the wiper arms, are you saying that the screw on the side of the arm will adjust the angle of the wiper head?? I know the arms are "adjustable" but I never knew what that meant... Will try this when I get home tonight... If this is how it works, I suspect I can get this straightened out.

I can say it again... The adjusting screws set the angle of the wiper blade relative to the arm. That's why Corvette wiper arms have only a single rivet attaching the upper arm to the lower arm (allows the two pieces to rotate relative to each other) while traditional passenger car Trico arms have two rivets affixing the upper arm to the lower arm (fixed geometry).

The cant adjustment was an uncomon feature to other American cars of the era, but WAS relatively common on European sports cars.

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

Jack;

Got it... finally!

In your first note you included the word "cant" and I read it as "can't" which prompted the question...

Now that I understand what you are saying about the single rivet and pivot, I see where I can get this adjusted properly...

It's Monday after Carlisle weekend so I'm still a bit slow.....

Thanks again!!!

Joel

[Clark K.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

Joel, I use a plastic-head thumb tack, the kind found at any office supply store. The relatively large plastic head makes it easy to get the spray just right on the correct reproduction nozzles. When I bought my car, it had the cheap ($12) non-adjustable nozzles. The car now has the $70 pair of brass ball adjustable nozzles!

Oh, and you DO know to put the passenger wiper over the driver one when they are "parked"? -Clark

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Washer/Wiper adjustments

Clark;

Thanks for the suggestion... I have a box of those push pins in my desk drawer.. As for the wiper arms, yep, I have the resting sequence...

Appreciate yhe help

Joel