vaccum wiper questions

I have a 64 cj5, the original vaccum motor wiper, seems to be lacking power(will not make a full sweep)with wiper on window.
when lifted will make full sweep,but then does not reverse. I do not wish to purchase electric motors for it,unless I have no choice.
Possible vaccum leak? bad hose? can the motor be oiled,ect? motor repaired?
I am sure there have been these questions on here before, so please forgive me. this is my first jeep and I just got it for a plow vehicle.
thanks

 

I use this man to rebuild mine for restorations. http://www.wiperman.com/ .well worth the $$....also change out your vacuum lines make sure you have a tight connection..

 

Vacuum wipers are typically weak or inoperative after half a century without maintenance.

Even so, check the basics first - is your vacuum tubing in good condition, connections tight, etc.? Also be aware that on the F-head the vacuum comes from both the intake manifold AND the vacuum pump/fuel pump combo. Is your vacuum pump hooked up and operating well?

Search this site's archive for "tune-up" tips, such as how to lube the inner vacuum 'paddles' which depend upon a light grease to perform well. Sometimes a drop of oil will revive them. If the wipers do not return at the end of a full stroke, the reversing/on-off switch may need cleaning or lubing.

They can work fairly well if cared for. But few people do any upkeep over the decades.

 

First off, run a little water on the windshield to reduce the friction and see if the wiper blade goes to the full right side. If it goes all the way to the end of its travel, it should toggle the flipover valve and the vacuum should pull the wiper in the opposite direction. I have a 68 that sat for 20+ years. The vacuum chamber may be able to be lubricated. I used vaseline successfully, after I removed the old grease. Even after this, the wiper would only travel to the right and stop. I further had to remove the small cover over the toggle valve and clean and lubricate the flip mechanism. Even so, if the arm is attached to the motor in the incorrect position, the blade can hit the windshield glass gasket and keep the arm from going far enough to allow the toggle valve to operate. I suggest you remove the arm and get the motor running well, and then reattach it to the windshield and install the arm.

Also, I installed a small vacuum tank on the firewall, to provide a little more vacuum when plowing uphill or when the pedal is to the metal. When the carb is near open, manifold vacuum is reduced, and wipers can suffer. Also, you should have a dual diaphram fuel pump, one diaphram is for the fuel, and the second vacuum diaphram is for boosting the vacuum.

If all else fails, you can change out the vacuum motor for an electric conversion for about $60.

 

Mine were working fine last year and all of the sudden my driver side did only one stoke and would not go back.

I search the internet and revived skirting a little bit of ATF fluid in it and manually operating it for 10-20 stoke. Then I took the wiper arm off and open the switch cover and clean the mechanism + all the holes with WD40. I put the wiper back together and re-attached the arm. start the jeep then let the wiper do one swipe to see where they park... take the arm off if the park position too high on the windshield and re-attached at the correct location so that it park on the glass only.


It is now working fine again... the passenger side stop working about 2 months after the driver side. I did the same job on that one but I had to dig deeper in the switch assembly to clean it up since the WD40 didn't get rid of the caked up grease in the little holes. Be careful for not loosing any parts -- they are small and spring loaded.

I guess that eventually I will have to take them completely apart to re-greased.

Hope this help

 

well, thank you ALL for the info, I ended up having to totally disassemble ,clean and grease the wiper motors.
I used Vaseline
and a light oil mixture. without the oil, it was too stiff. but they work good now!!
thanks for all of your help!!