Converting washer pump to electric

[jopizz]

and don't forget the Bullet Birds had hydraulic wipers powered by the power steering pump. Worked very well but expensive to manufacture. Lots of interesting changes in the auto industry and the way things were done. Hydraulic windows on some cars, vacuum systems working lots of things as mentioned, early AC with units in the trunk and ducting up through the rear deck, Power steering pumps on the back of generators (GM) and many others. Often said "they don't build them like they used to" is so true!!

Only the '63 Bulletbirds had hydraulic wipers. Most '61 and all '62 Thunderbirds had electric wipers which worked perfectly well. Why Ford decided to change is another mystery.

John

[simplyconnected]

...Why Ford decided to change is another mystery.

I tried to explain this, John. Fluid power is mechanical.

...At home at Ford, politics played a big role between designers because the mechanical guys were deathly afraid their jobs would be 'taken over' by more electrical engineers...

You wouldn't believe the pressures and politics involved in the auto industry. Nobody wants to make a mistake so they move cautiously. Lots of 'pretty-boys' are lined-up hoping to be heard by the boss. It took Lee Iacocca, with all his successful Mustang decisions, seven years to get launch approval because he was hated by HFII and his office was kept miles away from world HQ so Henry didn't have to see him every morning.

[jopizz]

I tried to explain this, John. Fluid power is mechanical.

I guess the old adage was true. "If it ain't broke fix it".

John

[Deanj]

In this age we trade vehicle tech dollars for fossil fuel dollars. Look at the 8 and 10 speed auto transmissions that have to cost manufacturers and consumer more initially in order to save .5 MPG over the life of the vehicle.

I heard someone at FoMoCo invented intermittent wipers. I recall my brother's 1964 Thunderbird having a delay wiper that was just a slower wipe. How long did that go on? and how does this relate to that engineer?

Dean