C-3 70 wiper door

[Jim K.]

Well... I got almost all the parts to get my wiper door working... untill I broke one of the adjuster stop screws, and also now need the bushing kit. Two questions:
1) is there only one adjustment to make on each side, that being the close stop screws on the linkage?
2) I got a new seal for the actuator rod, what can I use to lube the "rubber" (Al, don't say it!)when I put it through the motions, it binds on itself and dislodges from the actuator? Or will the normal vacuum not make it do that?

Back on the adjustment, is there something to adjust for the closed position to keep the front of the door level with the fender tops? Is this just loostening up the entire hinge mechenism???
Thanks!!!
Jim

[Chuck S.]

Re: C-3 70 wiper door

Wiper Door Adjustment (My method):

(1) Adjust height of wiper door linkage until front corners of plenum grille are flush with fender tops (+/- 0.040") by loosening the three pair of nuts attaching wiper door linkage to firewall, and one pair of screws holding the plenum grill support on the driver side center. If after adjustment, the plenum grille is higher than the hood, then you'll have to adjust the hood latches to raise the rear of the hood.

(2) You may find it necessary to "shim" rear of plenum grill to make the ends follow the top of fender after you torque the linkage nuts. The front edge of the wiper door rests on small pads cast into the plenum grille...if you get the rear corners of the plenum grill flush with the tops of the fenders, then the front corners of the wiper door are going to be flush with the tops of the fenders.

(3) Adjust adjuster stop screw if necessary to make back corners of wiper door match top of fender.

[Jim K.]

Re: C-3 70 wiper door

Thanks Chuck. It may be a while before I get there... every bolt I touch breaks off, like the top of the wiper door stop screw, and the wiper vacuum safety switch (that only closes the door once the wipers are parked). Not to menion the rear window stowage handle bolts and a few more that can't come to mind... Oh well, now I have to find some replacements and start drilling and tapping. But it is a labor of love...
Jim

[Chuck S.]

Re: C-3 70 wiper door

I have overheard experienced (beat-up?) restorers say they would never remove a C3 wiper door or linkage again...but, if it's not working, you have no choice.

Better be real careful with that linkage...you wouldn't believe how easy it is to break one even when you're doing everything right. I had to buy a really nice used one back in the early nineties, and I believe it cost me $375(?) then. I doubt anyone is reproducing it, but I could be wrong since we're running out of original parts.

I would apply penetrating oil to every fastener you're going to take off, and keep oiling them for about a month, and hope to save some. Some that you think are too rusty to reuse may begin to look pretty good after trying to duplicate the originals. For every original headstamped fastener you break, it's going to be relatively expensive to replace...if you can find them. This is where restorers get into dilemmas...Do I continue restoring the one I started with, or one of the parts cars? (Joke)