Topic: Wiper Arm differences

[ruppstang]

I was cleaning up some wiper arms and noticed that some of the sockets were brushed stainless steel and others were pot metal  that was plated. Was this a year difference, Plant difference or a supplier difference?

[67350#1242]

There were differences in the finish, but I think all were pot metal.   Early arms had a shiny finish and later was changed to brushed finish probably to cut down on glare from sun reflection.  By early I mean 65 to maybe early 66 arms, not sure of change over but by 67 all were brushed.  They are all plated in one way or another but don't think any were actually cast from stainless?
Kurt.

[ruppstang]

Kurt you are correct after looking again it appears that both are pot metal but plated differently. All the arms I have are 67 & 68.

[67350#1242]

Yeah,  I have noticed the plating color and shine to differ quite a bit  in the 67-68's but I have attributed it to environment, people polishing them, and to supplier variances.  Some I have seen have almost a gray tone while others are more toward aluminum or stainless tone.

[Bob Gaines]

Not plated differently from my observations. The change to satin was made from the beginning of 66 production . This is not just Ford but all US mfg's . The satin arms are only satin as long as they are not rubbed on much. If they are cleaned vigorously or rubbed with a course cloth they can become shinier compared to the original satin finish. Some environmental conditions probably effect the look also . The is why nice ones are hard to find . Unlike the 65 polished versions which can have scratches polished out the 66-70 arms once scratched can not be repaired and retain the original satin finish. There are slight differences in the arms starting in approximately mid 68 . 

[krelboyne]

We have a bunch of these sorted out by year.
Definitely two versions of the 1967-68 wiper arms. 1967-8's have the long teardrop piece where the TRICO information is stamped. The whole construction is either shiny or satin stainless as mentioned above.

Picture shows 1967-68 (on top with teardrop) and 1969-70 (bottom two has teardrop with hammer head) versions. Slight difference in mounting angle for the blade holder between the two generations. Two different TRICO patent stampings found on the arms from primarily Dearborn cars. No difference in finish, but some have patent numbers for Canada and 1948.

[JohnRB]

We have a bunch of these sorted out by year.
Definitely two versions of the 1967-68 wiper arms. 1967-8's have the long teardrop piece where the TRICO information is stamped. The whole construction is either shiny or satin stainless as mentioned above.

Picture shows 1967-68 (on top with teardrop) and 1969-70 (bottom two has teardrop with hammer head) versions. Slight difference in mounting angle for the blade holder between the two generations. Two different TRICO patent stampings found on the arms from primarily Dearborn cars. No difference in finish, but some have patent numbers for Canada and 1948.

Nice information. Is it possible to see pics of the patent stamping also?

Anyone have info about the viper blades also? Seen a number of Trico/Anco blades for sale but not sure what they used at the factory in the 65-70 period.

Do not think that I am the only one looking for that information!

[krelboyne]

Nice information. Is it possible to see pics of the patent stamping also?

[JohnRB]

Perfect.

Thanks

John

[Bob Gaines]

It is can be difficult and problematic when determining if a 66 -70 Mustang has the correct satin wiper arm as in a concours judging situation. Of course you can't touch a wiper arm in concours judging unless given permission by the owner. There is a easy way to narrow down the details in determining correct or incorrect if you know what to look for. The small clip visible on the side of the arm changed in later 68 production. Refer to picture.  The early style used on 66 and 67 and up to mid 68 was flat. The later 68,69,70 style was curved. A 66 or 67 would definitely not have the curved style and a late 68 -70 would not have a flat style. These arms get regularly exchanged given the issue with the finish and what happens when you clean one up. Because of this it is not uncommon to find one of each on a restored car regardless of year. 

[krelboyne]

It is can be difficult and problematic when determining if a 66 -70 Mustang has the correct satin wiper arm as in a concours judging situation. Of course you can't touch a wiper arm in concours judging unless given permission by the owner. There is a easy way to narrow down the details in determining correct or incorrect if you know what to look for. The small clip visible on the side of the arm changed in later 68 production. Refer to picture.  The early style used on 66 and 67 and up to mid 68 was flat. The later 68,69,70 style was curved. A 66 or 67 would definitely not have the curved style and a late 68 -70 would not have a flat style. These arms get regularly exchanged given the issue with the finish and what happens when you clean one up. Because of this it is not uncommon to find one of each on a restored car regardless of year.

Very interesting, mid 1968-70 are the later style that I showed? Probably a running design change by Trico?

[Bob Gaines]

Very interesting, mid 1968-70 are the later style that I showed? Probably a running design change by Trico?

Design change by Trico would be logical but I unfortunately can't explain the significance of the change .

[ruppstang]

I check our unrestored 6-20-68 San Jose coupe it still has the flat style clips on it. Did all plants change over mid year production?

[Bob Gaines]

I check our unrestored 6-20-68 San Jose coupe it still has the flat style clips on it. Did all plants change over mid year production?

I am sure it varied from plant to plant and as supplies were used up. It is meant by me as a approximate time frame.

[ruppstang]

I went through 14 arms that I have collected and only found two that were the latter style. There must not have been too many 68 that got the latter ones.

Thanks to all that posted on this thread, I learned something.