1966 Trico wiper blades

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,
I agree, the 3888296 part number is for one 15" ANCO wiper blade. I guess I was not clear in my explanation. I once owned two NOS 3888296 wiper blades (with "ANCO PATENT 2782444" on the rubber inserts) each in its own GM box. According to Noland Adam's 63-67 restoration book on page 322 GM # 3908118 "was a number assigned to two identical blades, part number 3888296, sold together in the same package." GM # 3908118 does not appear in my 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 or any of my other vintage Chevrolet parts catalogs. The 3888296 blades were still shown in my 1969 and 1972 Corvette Parts Catalog (Oct. 1969 & Oct. 1971) for the 66-67 Corvette.


Dave

David,

I've looked through everything I have and I can not find any info on the 3908118 Anco blade either. (other than the fact that it's shown in the 66 AIM) It was never sold in service.

It's possible that at one time, it was intended to be a service package of two blades under that number but it never actually occurred.

The 3908118 was an assembly line part only and one number would be for one blade.

If GM changed from the 3888296 number to the 3908118 number during the 66 production year, there was most likely some change in the actual part. It could have been a minor change that did not affect the parts sent to service which would explain why the 3888296 continued to be available in service. Other than that, there would have been no reason for a part number change for the assembly plant.

You've done a lot of homework on these blades. Much appreciated by all. Still more to learn though.

By the way, I just looked at the blades on my Nov 65 built 66 and they are flat back Trico's with the word Trico at each end without made in usa. Dull on both sides and they are the design with less bend or arc. I have no idea if their original to the car. They were on it in 1985 when I bought it.

How about the unique wiper arm for 66?

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David,

I've looked through everything I have and I can not find any info on the 3908118 Anco blade either. (other than the fact that it's shown in the 66 AIM) It was never sold in service.

It's possible that at one time, it was intended to be a service package of two blades under that number but it never actually occurred.

The 3908118 was an assembly line part only and one number would be for one blade.

If GM changed from the 3888296 number to the 3908118 number during the 66 production year, there was most likely some change in the actual part. It could have been a minor change that did not affect the parts sent to service which would explain why the 3888296 continued to be available in service. Other than that, there would have been no reason for a part number change for the assembly plant.

You've done a lot of homework on these blades. Much appreciated by all. Still more to learn though.

By the way, I just looked at the blades on my Nov 65 built 66 and they are flat back Trico's with the word Trico at each end without made in usa. Dull on both sides and they are the design with less bend or arc. I have no idea if their original to the car. They were on it in 1985 when I bought it.

How about the unique wiper arm for 66?

Michael,

It is very possible that Noland Adams was wrong about the 3908118 part number for a pair of 3888296 blades. I researched the 3908118 part number many years ago and found nothing. We may never find out. Enclosed below is a photo of the arm connector part of an original 3888296 blade. The dimple is in the shape of a rectangular (about 1/8" by 1/4" or so). The NOS 3888296 blades that I sold 20 years ago had a larger dimple shaped more like a square. The non-correct Anco 15" blades sold in 1978 also have a large square shaped dimple along with a red (or black) plastic button for easier insert replacement.

GM usually changes a part number when they make physical changes to a part but on rare occasions they do not.

I would say that your dull (on both sides) flat Trico blades with "TRICO" stamped on each end are probably original equipment on your Nov. 1965 built 1966. The "TRICO" stamped on each end of the blade is a carry over from the 1963, and 1964-1965 shiny (on both sides) flat Trico blades. I believe that my blades stamped "TRICO" on each end (dull flat on top and shiny on the bottom) were probably from 1966 models made in August, September, and maybe even October, at least that what logic tells me.

The only difference between the 1966 wiper arms (3888297/3888298) and the 1967 wiper arms (3915861/3915862) that I have noticed is the dull finish on the bottom end part. This finish on the bottom end part on the 1967 arms appears to almost resemble dull gray paint. I have only studied a set of original 1966 arms with a NOS set of 1967 arms purchased in the 1980's.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,


The only difference between the 1966 wiper arms (3888297/3888298) and the 1967 wiper arms (3915861/3915862) that I have noticed is the dull finish on the bottom end part. This finish on the bottom end part on the 1967 arms appears to almost resemble dull gray paint. I have only studied a set of original 1966 arms with a NOS set of 1967 arms purchased in the 1980's.

Dave

David,

I can describe the difference between a typical 66 wiper arm and a late 66-67 arm. It's quite obvious. Or, I can take some pictures of mine. You can use the pictures for the article on 66 wiper blades and arms that I think you should write for the Restorer magazine.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David,

I can describe the difference between a typical 66 wiper arm and a late 66-67 arm. It's quite obvious. Or, I can take some pictures of mine. You can use the pictures for the article on 66 wiper blades and arms that I think you should write for the Restorer magazine.

Michael,

About 20 or more years ago I sold what thought was a set of original 66 wiper arms. I now only have the NOS 3915861/3915862 wiper arms.
In 25 words or less what is the difference?

I have been studying the 1963-1967 Corvettes since 1979. I have collected thousands of parts (NOS and used) over the years for my vintage cars as well as for research purposes only. I find that the Technical Discussion has helped me over the past few years and I think that I have also made a few contributions as well. I have no interest in becoming an author. I am only interested in researching parts and sharing my observations with others who have the same interest.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

About 20 or more years ago I sold what thought was a set of original 66 wiper arms. I now only have the NOS 3915861/3915862 wiper arms.
In 25 words or less what is the difference?



Dave

David,

For 66, the knuckle portion of the arm appears to be glass beaded. The long stainless cover appears to be brushed. The biggest difference is....

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

Here are two photos of the 1967 R/S wiper arm (GM # 3915862, NOS when I bought it in the early 1980's) on my 1966 Corvette which is covered with dust. I have not driven it for 7 or 8 years. The knuckle almost looks painted.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

Here are two photos of the 1967 R/S wiper arm (GM # 3915862, NOS when I bought it in the early 1980's) on my 1966 Corvette which is covered with dust. I have not driven it for 7 or 8 years. The knuckle almost looks painted.

Dave

David,

Here are a few (poor) shots of an original 66 wiper arm assembly. The first pic show the cover and rod. Note that the rod is polished, not dull. This is the most obvious difference between early and late 66. The rod part was carry over from the 65 arm. Also note that the rivet is not dull like late 66 through 67.

The stamped stainless cover has a brushed finish. Not glass beaded like the late 66 and 67.

Second pic is the glass beaded knuckle. This is why the finish on the knuckle and cover have a different appearance.

Three distinct differences between early 66 and late 66-67.

I can get better pic's if needed.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

Thanks for the photos. Logic comes into play again just like the Trico wiper blades. Trico used up their "shiny" parts from the 1965 production before switching to the "dull" parts. I believe that sun glare from the "shiny" wiper system was the reason they switched to the "dull" finish.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

There is a lot of open variables here, there has to be someone around retired that has some of this information.

Anyone tried to call into Anco or Trico and find the oldest guy working there in product development???

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Enclosed are photos of an original factory installed 15" Anco wiper blade from a 1966 Corvette (Sept. 1965 build) owned by NCRS member Rich Mauser. The top of the blade has a "dull" finish and the bottom side has a "shiny" finish. This is an Anco "transition blade" that was installed on "early" 1966 Corvettes, Chevelles, etc.

Many years ago I found a found 15" Anco wiper blade exactly like this one that was totally shiny on a 1965 Chevelle. The GM part number of the totally shiny 15" Anco blade is 3866190 as shown in my 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 64, Jan. 65, and May 65). I believe that I sold this blade to Pete.

My 1966 Corvette 15" Anco wiper blades are totally "dull" which would make them correct for mid-production 1966 Corvettes (photo on June 17, 2013 post @ 4:33 PM).

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

David,

Here are a few (poor) shots of an original 66 wiper arm assembly. The first pic show the cover and rod. Note that the rod is polished, not dull. This is the most obvious difference between early and late 66. The rod part was carry over from the 65 arm. Also note that the rivet is not dull like late 66 through 67.

The stamped stainless cover has a brushed finish. Not glass beaded like the late 66 and 67.

Second pic is the glass beaded knuckle. This is why the finish on the knuckle and cover have a different appearance.

Three distinct differences between early 66 and late 66-67.

I can get better pic's if needed.

Michael,

As usual while looking for a particular part in my garage I came across 4 original 1966-1967 Corvette wiper arms that I forget I even had. I bought two of them at Corvette Carlisle in August 1989 and the other two at a swap meet in Mansfield, MA, in June 1992.

You previously mentioned three distinct differences between early 1966 and late 1966-1967 wiper arms. Enclosed below are photos of two passenger side arms which show a 4th difference.

Both arms are stamped "TRICO" as can be seen easily in the photo.

The arm at the top (dull top cover with shiny bottom) is stamped as follows:

PATENTS 2511129, 2564819
2804639, CAN. 1948

The arm at the bottom with the extra four notches (dull top cover with dull bottom) is stamped as follows:

ONE OR MORE PATENTS
2564819, 3378874
MADE IN U.S.A.

The rod part on both of these arms is dull.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Michael,

As usual while looking for a particular part in my garage I came across 4 original 1966-1967 Corvette wiper arms that I forget I even had. I bought two of them at Corvette Carlisle in August 1989 and the other two at a swap meet in Mansfield, MA, in June 1992.

You previously mentioned three distinct differences between early 1966 and late 1966-1967 wiper arms. Enclosed below are photos of two passenger side arms which show a 4th difference.

Both arms are stamped "TRICO" as can be seen easily in the photo.

The arm at the top (dull top cover with shiny bottom) is stamped as follows:

PATENTS 2511129, 2564819
2804639, CAN. 1948

The arm at the bottom with the extra four notches (dull top cover with dull bottom) is stamped as follows:

ONE OR MORE PATENTS
2564819, 3378874
MADE IN U.S.A.

The rod part on both of these arms is dull.

Dave

I just looked at the arm on my Nov 65 built 66. The bottom cover is shiny with no notches, just like the one in your top picture.

The rod section is shiny also, which is different than the one in the top pic. That means there is yet another variation for early 66.

This is getting complicated.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

The wiper arm with the spring cover with the notches is typical of what I have seen on some 1966-1967 Corvette GM SERVICE PARTs wiper arms. The arms I have seen were SERVICE PARTs in light blue GM boxes & had part numbers that were different from the original PRODUCTION part numbers & the finish on them was not as "elegant" as the brushed finish found on the original PRODUCTION wiper arms of the 1966 & 1967 Corvettes. The notches on the spring covers are a later configuration & while not needed on 1966 & 1967 Corvette wiper arms. The 1968 Corvette wiper arms used the same basic spring covers but needed the notches in the spring cover so the clips that hold the wiper squirter plumbing could be attached to the sides of the wiper arms. Pete

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

Pete,

That makes sense. My wiper arm with the notches must be a service arm made in 1968 or later. I checked patent number 3378874 on the web and found that it was about the pin type arm to blade connection filed on 6/10/1966 and issued on 4/23 1968.

I just checked the NORS wiper arms (GM # 3915861 & 3915862 purchased in the 1980's) that are on my 1966 and the spring cover is very plain with "TRICO" stamped near the narrow end. I could not see any patent number but my eyes are not that good. I would have to remove them. The knuckles almost look like that are painted.

Dave

[Stephen L.]

Re: 1966 Trico wiper blades

it appears that the correct arm for a late '66 is dull/dull), right?

should it be flat or "v" styled?

does anyone make a repro that will judge?

thanks