How To Install a 1979 Corvette Wiper Motor
This week’s Corvette Question comes from Tammy who owns a 1979 Corvette.
How do I install the wiper motor on a 1979 Corvette?
Corvette Wiper Motor & Arms
Answer: When the windshield wiper motor on your Shark quits, it’s a fairly simple matter to replace it. It takes well under an hour and no special skills are required. Once you have an understanding of the procedure, mounting any C3 Corvette wiper motor will be easy and quick to do. Follow along as we show you how:
As with any work you are performing; don’t forget to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, just to be on the safe side.
Step 1
1. If you have an aftermarket 1973-1982 Corvette Windshield Wiper Compartment Cover installed in your car, the first thing you’ll have to do is remove it so you can gain access to the wiper compartment. If you don’t have one of these covers installed, proceed directly to step 2.
Step 2
2. Unsnap the wiring harness that supplies power to the wiper motor. The wiper motor is secured to the firewall with three nuts on studs. Use a 3/8” socket to remove these nuts, being careful not to let them drop down into the engine compartment.
Step 3
3. The nut and washer retaining the bellcrank arm in the wiper compartment is removed next. Gently moving the bellcrank arm back and forth will free it from the wiper motor shaft.
Step 4
4. Some replacement wiper motors do not come with the gear box cover on them, so if this is the case, you have to swap it from the old unit to the new one.
Step 5
5. The machine screws holding the gearbox cover on the old motor are removed using a socket.
Step 6
6. The cover is then installed on the new motor using the same screws removed from the old unit. The new wiper motor had an extra grounding tab, which had to be bent up, and secured with one of the gearbox cover screws. There are 3 mounting grommets that should be replaced before installing the new wiper motor.
Step 7
7. A new wiper motor seal is slipped over the shaft of the motor and the motor is reinstalled on the firewall, passing the shaft through the hole until the seal is firmly pressed to the both the firewall and the motor. The three retaining nuts are then installed and tightened using a socket.
Step 8
8. The bellcrank arm is keyed so it will only go on the shaft in the correct orientation. Wiggling it back and forth will help to seat it on the shaft.
Step 9
9.The retaining nut and washer are installed on the shaft next and tightened. This is a good time to remove any debris (e.g., leaves) that may have gotten into the wiper compartment.
Step 10
10. To finish the job, snap the wiring harness for the motor on next. The harness is keyed so it will only go on in the correct orientation. If you have a wiper compartment cover, reinstall it now. Switch your ignition to the accessory or on position, turn the wiper switch to ‘on’ to confirm proper operation and that’s all there is to it.
Note: The washer pump is in the washer jar on 1979 Corvettes, not attached to the motor.
Click here to read how to adjust the wipers.
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Related posts:
- How do you remove the windshield wiper motor from a 1969 Corvette?
- Corvette Wiper Motor Replacement
- 1973-1982 Corvette Wiper Compartment Cover
- Corvette Power Window Motor Replacement
- 1956-1982 Corvette Wiper Arm Removal
I am having a problem with my 1979 Corvette wiper motor not working. The motor is new. What could be the problem?
Tony,
The first step would be to bench test the wiper motor to make sure it works. You can follow the steps above to see how to uninstall the motor if needed.