1970 Elky Wiper Mounting Question

[SSuperDave]

Do the '70-'72's use a separate plate bolted to the firewall to mount the wiper motor on like '68-'69, or does it bolt directly?
I can't find one in the box of parts that I removed, so I'm thinking no.
Thanks.

 

[kmakar]

I'm not 100% sure, but Eklers shows a plate for the '68 - '72. Not sure if your's looks like that though.

Ecklers 1968-72 Electric Wiper Motor, Replacement

1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 El Caminos are true American muscle cars. Over time, you may notice that your windshield wipers are not working as properly as t

www.ecklers.com

 

[SSuperDave]

That looks like a plate to attach an aftermarket motor. '68-'69 uses this one... The assembly manual is too vague to tell, but the plate shown below is listed to fit '68-'69. I never took a pic, because of course I know all and remember all...

 

[kmakar]

If you're anything like me (because I always forget), I keep everything together when I disassemble, and since I can't seem to find a mounting plate for '70 to '72, I'm betting you're right that it didn't have one.

 

[SSuperDave]

I think you are right. I have a motor coming to install this weekend and wanted to blast and paint the plate in advance. Saves me some time, and if the motor does not bolt directly to the firewall, I'll have my answer! Thanks.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

72 Chevelles bolt directly to the firewall, 70 should be the same.

 

[SSuperDave]

Thanks, gents. Wonder why the '68-'69 used the plate? Just an unneeded part as far as I can see, adding a few cents to production per unit, something all the big 3 are very attuned to. Witness the exploding Pinto, less than $3 per car would have saved it from ignominy, but the bean counters calculated paying off a few deaths would be cheaper than the fix. It sure bit them in the ass, it cost Ford over $50M in 1970's dollars.

 

[kmakar]

Thanks, gents. Wonder why the '68-'69 used the plate? Just an unneeded part as far as I can see, adding a few cents to production per unit, something all the big 3 are very attuned to. Witness the exploding Pinto, less than $3 per car would have saved it from ignominy, but the bean counters calculated paying off a few deaths would be cheaper than the fix. It sure bit them in the ass, it cost Ford over $50M in 1970's dollars.

I may be wrong in my assessment, but from what I was just reading (and I could be wrong), it appears there was an option for hidden wipers which used a different motor.

On the Pinto, I agree, it was an ugly little car, but served a purpose. I had a girlfriend who had one and it was not too comfortable, but it was functional. I bet they would have sold more had they redesigned the rear end protecting the gas tank.

 

[SSuperDave]

Pintos sold over 3M during its production run, and were pretty successful. You are correct, it served a purpose, like a Civic or equivalent does today.
1970 at least also offered non hidden wipers, not sure about '71-'72. Only thing I can think is that something changed in the firewall after '69 allwoing both to bolt up without a plate. I've had 3 '68's one with non hidden wipers but canr recall if it use the plate ot not. The 2 68 Malibu's used the plate for sure, as have all the '69s that I have worked on.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Pintos sold over 3M during its production run, and were pretty successful. You are correct, it served a purpose, like a Civic or equivalent does today.
1970 at least also offered non hidden wipers, not sure about '71-'72. Only thing I can think is that something changed in the firewall after '69 allwoing both to bolt up without a plate. I've had 3 '68's one with non hidden wipers but canr recall if it use the plate ot not. The 2 68 Malibu's used the plate for sure, as have all the '69s that I have worked on.

IIRC correctly the base model 71-72 Chevelles did not have the hidden wiper option.