original washer pump??

[drclarkra]

Does any one have one? How rare are they?

[JohnG]

there was one on Ebay last week. Went for about $50 or so. For a car to have had one in the first place it needed the power steering option, I believe, which reduces the number. Then no one could have tossed it out to clean up the engine compartment. So they are somewhat rare.

[Alexander]

The washer pumps are rare, not because it was an uncommon option, but because it was a poor design. You will see that most Squarebirds have the button on the left dogleg, indicating that they were built with that option. Basically, the pumps were made of plastic and stamped metal which functioned by having the wheel of the pump rub against the the belt of a 300-horsepower engine. Most did not last more than a year or two. There were two designs, one for the 1958 and 1959 and one for the 1960. I have seen NOS kits go for as much as $500 on eBay. I have an NOS 1959 kit, but I have not put it on the car as I know it will not last long. I have a used 1960, that I am considering putting on the the car.

[JohnG]

when you look at the whole setup from a functional point of view, the name "Rube Goldberg" comes to mind.....

[Guest]

I have one that I will put back on my 59 just for show I will not use it for the windshield washer as I am afraid it will break

[drclarkra]

Thanks

There was one on Ebay today that went for 255. I was willing to go 150. I may have to go with my $9.00 electric unit. Or I have seen a foot pump that is closer to what would be done in 1961 after that first year break down

[Alexander]

JC Whitney sold a flexible bag washer kit, that unbelievable looks like a Ford washer bag, only in blue and hooked exactly onto our Squarebird washer bag mount (It included one if you didn't have it). The pump was integral with the bag.

I just bought one a few years back. I don't see it on their site now.

[Dan Leavens]

Hi guys just reading and following the thread on washer pumps and the beautiful design on the dol leg. I had mine looked at over the winter and it was deemed that IF it worked, it would only work sporatically due to the design as Alexander says. My mechanic,installed a rather simple pump mounted on the fender well, wired into interior and placed a switch under the dash out of sight. Works great. Was about
75.00 complete.

Dano Calgary,Alberta Canada

[Alexander]

I put up some pictures of the original 1958-1960 Washer pump set-up here:

http://squarebirds.org/washer_pump.htm

[byersmtrco]

Ha ha ha . . . childhood memories !!!!
Ours never worked since day one !!! I can remember being a kid . . . riding in the back seat . . . and my dad would reach in the glove box, get the Windex and hang his arm out the window (pouring rain) squirting the windshield . . . and my mom yelling at him "Watch where you're going!!!!!"

"Shhat up . . . Who's drivin this thing ???!!!!!!!!"

Hare larious!!!!!!!!
I guess you had to be there.

[drclarkra]

washer pump switch.

I am going to look at converting the original switch to a momentary contact elect switch and use a simple elect. motor. any body try that before?

[tbird430]

Do the new electric "retro" kits (bolt in org. vaccum pump location) have a built in washer pump?

[Alexander]

I am going to look at converting the original switch to a momentary contact elect switch and use a simple elect. motor. any body try that before?

I have done this. I converted the original vacuum switch to an electrical one.

[bcomo]

Alexander:

Do you happen to remember where you bought the electric washer pump. I'd like to get a good one. I have the electric switch.

[Alexander]

I bought the washer bag/electric pump about five years ago. I think I still have one in a box. I will check the box tonight. Maybe there is still a source.