I have a 55 bird converted to 12 volt and alternator. I am hoping you guys can help me out with a wiper conversion. There are so many out on the market it's mind boggling. I know a lot of you have conversions and hoping you can give me some input on which is the best and most reliable conversion to get for my Bird. I don't think I have ever had it out in the rain on purpose but got caught a time or two by "Murphys Law" situations and the old vacuum motor doesn't get it especially with a mild cam (264 deg)
So hoping you guys will give me some input on this rainy day subject.
Thanking you all in advance, Bud Roberts Northern AZ.

Bud in Northern Arizona on route 66 in Winslow (standin' on the corner)

If you're American, buy American

631/2 Galaxie 500XL 406   55 T-Bird

I have a Newport Engineering kit on my 56.2 speed.I have heard others complain about problems with this companies products but I have had no problem with mine.Check their website for information and prices.

  

I have the Newport kit on three of my cars. All have worked very well. Along with the kit there is an adapter the allows use of your stock switch.

Some of the suppliers use the Newport kit.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I had the newport kit for my 61, motor fried with about 1hr run time total, have put back on my vacuum wiper not long ago.

I have their kit on my 56 and its worked well for years. My only complaint is the sweep isn't wide enough. If I set it for the blades to rest properly the sweep is only slightly past verticle. Has anyone else had this problem and is there a cure. I would think a longer bar where the drive arms attach to the motor might help but am at a loss as to how much to change it. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Chuck:

Had the same lack of sweep on my '56 Bird. I lengthened the bar about 3/16" on each end, now I have the same sweep as the original vacuum motor.

Holun, the reason your Newport failed on your '61 was because of the load. Your blades are what, 16 inches long? The T-Bird is but 12". Lot of difference in load. I have not had a failure with my Newport, but the Bird has probably only been wet about 3 times since the installation.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I have the Newport wipers on my 55 and worked great coming home from Florida in the rain,I also installed electric washers with a 58 t bird bag and early 60s galaxie and truck pump which was a treat when big trucks slinged dirty water on the windshield.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio