Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

[Michael L.]

[Mark M.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Michael disconnect the two large hoses front and rear on the large vacuum can that opens the door. You can then pull it open easily with your hands.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Here's the "official"procedure as stated on page 17 of the owner's manual:
"Raise hood and remove the plug from the rear of the vacuum cylinder [the photo shows the plug removed from the "front" of the cylinder. I think this is a typo] then reach through the hole in the cylinder with a screwdriver and push the piston until the cover panel opens fully and the linkage contacts the wiper microswitch." I'm sure Mark is right that the door can be opened as he suggests I just worry about forcing something and damaging the door or the mechanism. Maybe that's not a worry.
Jeff

[Michael L.]

[Mike E.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Push in to open the door. Or apply vacuum to the hose that connects to the firewall side of the actuator.

[Terry M.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

The wiper door vacuum actuator can be moved without disconnecting the hoses by removing the rubber plug on the front of the actuator. Be careful in removing the rubber plug. 50 year old rubber is not very pliable. I would not use a screwdriver to push on the diaphragm. The center of the diaphragm has a metal piece, and that is what you want to push on. I can do it using my finger, and if at all possible I suggest using that. If one slips off that metal center piece one will pierce the rubber diaphragm and a new actuator will be in your future. Using a digit allows one to feel the metal center and to keep pressure on that metal portion. Once the actuator is moved enough to raise the wiper door an inch or so one can lift and pull on the wiper door to assist in completely opening the door. Be careful not to pull on just the stainless trim closest to the windshield. Pulling that trim off will also help you to have a bad day.

[James G.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Terry opened mine at the chapter show in Atlanta EXACTLY as he stated.

BTW Thanks for showing me that.

[Terry M.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Terry opened mine at the chapter show in Atlanta EXACTLY as he stated.

BTW Thanks for showing me that.

I learned about these kinds of operations the hard way -- out of necessity. I learned about manually raising the headlights the same way. Necessity IS the mother of invention.

You are welcome James.

[Bob I.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

Push in to open the door. Or apply vacuum to the hose that connects to the firewall side of the actuator.

[Michael L.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

OK I will try what Terry suggests. I have had all the components re-built and they have worked previously, but I paused working on the car for about 18 months while I finished a couple of other projects. I'm concerned the cannister may be frozen because I already applied vacuum to the firewall side with my mightyvac and it didn't budge. It was also real hard to build vacuum and the vacuum leaked off fairly quickly. I also tried grabbing the actuator rod and moving it but it still didn't budge. That's why I'm thinking it might be frozen. At the very least I'm concerned the vacuum seal may be bad already as it wouldn't hold vacuum.

[Michael L.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

OK so I pulled the front plug and attempted to push the plunger in with my finger and it wouldn't budge. I removed the actuator canister and the door then opened easily. As I had mentioned, although the actuator was rebuilt by Bod Demmel a couple of years ago and worked fine previously, it hasn't moved in 18 mo as the car sat. After the canister was out I used a long 3/8" socket extension and pushed on the plunger and with considerable force it finally broke free and started moving. I then moved it in and out numerous times and it started to get a little looser but it's still fairly stiff. There's no doubt it holds good vacuum though as when it moves in either direction I get a gush of air out. I'm thinking it would help if I could spray some lubricant in, but I don't won't to ruin the seals or anything. Any idea what I could use to keep this thing moving freely?

Mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: Easiest way to open and keep open the WSW door on 69 with engine off

OK so I pulled the front plug and attempted to push the plunger in with my finger and it wouldn't budge. I removed the actuator canister and the door then opened easily. As I had mentioned, although the actuator was rebuilt by Bod Demmel a couple of years ago and worked fine previously, it hasn't moved in 18 mo as the car sat. After the canister was out I used a long 3/8" socket extension and pushed on the plunger and with considerable force it finally broke free and started moving. I then moved it in and out numerous times and it started to get a little looser but it's still fairly stiff. There's no doubt it holds good vacuum though as when it moves in either direction I get a gush of air out. I'm thinking it would help if I could spray some lubricant in, but I don't won't to ruin the seals or anything. Any idea what I could use to keep this thing moving freely?

Mike

Call Bob Demmel.