Corvette Parts Blog

3-Port Washer Pump

In the past, Corvette restorers in need of Windshield Washer Pumps for 1968-1974 C3 Corvettes have been mostly out of luck. New, correct reproductions of these units have not been available for many years, and good originals were few and far between. Until now.

5-Port Washer Pump

Zip Corvette now carries the Windshield Washer Pumps you need to complete your Corvette restoration to NCRS or Bloomington Gold standards.  The 1968-1969/1972-1974 Corvette 3-Port Windshield Washer Pump is a correct reproduction 5-port washer pump with a white valve that was originally used on 1968-1969 and 1972-1974 Corvettes. This pump is reproduced in correct color with original style barrel connectors.

Anti-Drip Solenoid

The 1970-1971 Corvette 5-Port Windshield Washer Pump is a correct reproduction 5-port washer pump with a white valve that was originally used on 1970-1971 Corvettes. This pump is also reproduced in correct color with original style barrel connectors.

The 1969 Corvette Windshield Washer Pump Anti-Drip Soleniod mounts on the 1969 washer pump for the headlight washer system.

Even if you’re not looking for judging points, these Corvette Parts are important for the most authentic restoration possible.

Washer Pump Nut & Pick-Up Filter

The washer pump nut & pick-up filter used on 1975-1991 C3 & C4 Corvettes is a very simple part, so… why has it been discontinued for so long? Our thoughts exactly, especially since this windshield washer pump filter & nut assembly fits so many Chevrolet applications.

The new reproduction filter & nut from Zip Corvette will correctly mount your Corvette’s washer pump into the bottom of the windshield washer reservoir tank. Without it, the pump will not stay in place and you’ll be sure to stop up your windshield washer squirters, causing more problems later with the plastic nozzles. The last thing you want on a dark night is to find out your windshield washers have gone by the wayside.

Corvette Wiper Arms

Your humble Corvette Parts blogger owns a 1971 Corvette Coupe. Once in a great while, I show the car but for the most part, it’s my hot rod and, when I’m not working on it, I’m driving it. I even drive that Corvette in the rain…perish the thought!

If you’re like me and you drive your 1968-1982 in any weather and your Corvette has a lot of miles on it, you may be looking for parts with which to repair your Corvette’s Windshield Wiper System.

On the other hand, you may own a C3 which never gets driven in bad weather but is undergoing a full restoration and your original wiper arms are either, the wrong parts, are bent or are corroded. However the need arises, Zip’s line of 1968-1982 reproduction wiper arms has the solution you need.

Zip Corvette has a wiper arm to replace each of the three styles of arms used in the C3 Corvette years, 1968, 1969-1974 and 1975-1982. All are correct reproductions made exactly as the original arms when the C3 Corvettes were in production.

1968 Corvettes used a unique wiper arm without a windshield washer nozzle and Zip is one of the vendors which sells a correct 1968 wiper arm. Originally the washer nozzles were mounted on the grill in front of the wiper door assembly, which Zip has as well.

The arms for the 1969-1974 Corvettes used sections of brass tubing with one end formed into a discharge nozzle held to the wiper arm with either 3 or 4 plastic clips depending on the side. The brass tubes were painted black. Zip’s 1969-1973 Corvette wiper arms are correct reproductions of that design.

For the 1975 model year, while the wiper arm design remained the same, GM switched the washer plumbing from the brass tubes to small-diameter rubber hose tipped with a plastic nozzle. Zip Corvette’s late-C3 reproduction arms include the correct rubber hose and plastic nozzles. The 1975-1982 parts can also be a non-O.E. upgrade for the 1969-1974 Corvettes. When originality is not an issue, the late-C3 wiper arms are a better choice when a 1969-1974 needs new arms.

Which ever of Zip’s Corvette Wiper Arms you buy, they are all easy to install. Remove the old arms using the 1956-1982 Wiper Arm Removal Tool, then push the new arms in place. Add your wiper blades and you’re ready to go.

This week’s Corvette question comes from Mike who owns a 1993 C4 Corvette.

How do I adjust the windshield wipers on my 1993 Corvette?

C4 Corvette Windshield Wipers

Despite their notoriety as a high-performance car and their innovations in design and technology, the C4 Corvettes had their fair share of imperfections. One common problem is with the C4 Corvette Windshield Wipers. Although only a minor flaw, the wipers on many of these Corvettes are not properly adjusted to rest beneath the hood when turned off. When the wipers do not park correctly, they can scrape the black paint on the window trim, resulting in unsightly scratch marks on the trim and blemishing the aesthetic appeal of the  vehicle. Fortunately, this minor problem can be easily corrected. All you need is a ratchet, 10mm socket, a flat-blade screwdriver, and no more than 20 minutes of your time. This simple adjustment will allow your Corvette’s wipers to rest below the hood line and prevent your Corvette’s window trim from being scratched again.

C4 Corvette Wiper Access Plate

After opening the hood of your Corvette, look in the direction of the wipers where you will see the wiper transmission access plate. Remove the plate with a flat-blade screwdriver by carefully prying up on it. Not all C4 Corvettes have this plate, if you don’t simply remove the entire grill. Once the access plate or grill is removed you will have access to four retaining nuts. Loosen them with a 10mm socket but be sure not to remove them as reinstalling the nuts can be very difficult. Last, gently push the wiper arms towards the firewall. You will need to adjust both arms to avoid interference between them. Adjust the arms until they do not hit the windshield molding or they are below the hood line.

Once you have your Corvette’s windshield wipers adjusted properly you can tighten them down. Be sure not to over tighten or you could snap the stud on the linkage. Now check the adjustment. Close your Corvette’s hood and have someone spray water on the windshield while you operate the wipers. (Don’t operate the wipers without water on the windshield or you could permanently scratch the glass). Make sure the wipers are no longer hitting the windshield molding. Switch the wipers to high to check that they are not contacting each other or binding up. If they are contacting, then readjust them until they no longer contact each other. The same applies if they are still hitting your Corvette’s windshield molding. Once your adjustment is satisfactory, replace the access plate or grill and your job is done.

Our 1973-1982 Corvette Wiper Compartment Cover adds the perfect finishing touch to any 1973-1982 Corvette’s cowl. The wiper compartment covers are made of ABS plastic and can be painted to match any paint scheme. Benefits of installing the wiper compartment cover on 1973-1982 Corvettes include:

1973-1982 Corvette Cowl Cover

• Provides a clean look over the stock cowl area
• Reduces the collection of leaves and debris
• Will not interfere with your Corvette’s wipers
• Can be painted to match your Corvette’s paint

Installation of the 1973-1982 Corvette Wiper Compartment Cover requires very little modifications. If you are going to paint the cover do so before installing. Once you are ready to install the compartment cover you will need to trim the trailing edge of the firewall, this is best done with a file. After trimming, install the cover to check for proper fit. You should turn your Corvette’s Windshield Wipers on and then stop them half way up by shutting off the ignition. Each wiper arm should then be run through the corresponding hole in the wiper compartment cover. The cover is then slid down onto the firewall. If the cover sits flush with the top of the firewall and the trailing edge rests tightly against the windshield, proper fit has been achieved.

Corvette Wiper Compartment Cover

If you would like to strongly mount the Corvette Wiper Compartment Cover, though it is not required, simply use four strips of adhesive backed velcro. Each strip should be approximately 4″ long and should be 3″ and 10″ from the side of the cover. If placed correctly the two front strips should fall directly on top of the firewall with the rear strips attaching to the windshield glass. If minor interferences are noticed you may have to file away the necessary amount of material.

Today’s Zip Corvette technical question comes from a C3 Corvette owner:

How do I adjust the windshield wipers on my 1976 Corvette?

Answer: The wiper arms fit into a specific groove on the wiper arm transmissions coming through the top of the cowl, therefore no adjustment exists on the exterior of your 1968-1982 Corvette. The

Wiper Arm Adjustment

adjustments for your wiper arm locations are found on the backside of the Corvettes wiper motor where the link arms attach to the wiper motor ball stud. This can easily be found on 1973-1982 Corvettes where access is granted, but on 1968-1972 Corvettes the wiper door may need to be removed or lifted in the very highest position. Once the nuts are loosened, the wiper link arms will “slide” to allow for proper adjustment. The nuts can be tightened once the arm locations are adjusted enough to make sure the wiper blades do not hit when returning to their inside position.

Do you have a Corvette technical question that you need answered? Click here to submit your question.

C1 Corvette Windshield Washer Vacuum Tank

Zip Corvette’s 1958-1961 Corvette windshield washer vacuum tank is an excellent reproduction of the original that will only add to your solid axle restoration. This vacuum tank comes with the correct valve installed and will meet NCRS judging standards. Tank is correct for all 1958-1960 Corvettes and 1961 early production Corvettes only.

Don’t settle for a tank that isn’t exactly like the original; your Corvette’s value will suffer.

Another new Corvette Part at Zip. This one for the C1 owner.

Finally available; a new correct reproduction windshield washer reservoir for solid axle Corvettes.

Washer Reservoir

Features include “cream” or “slightly yellowed” colored plastic bottle (not white plastic) with the number “2″ molded into the bottom and correct upper lip configuration, which allows the top lid to seat correctly for a secure fit. This bottle has been reproduced to pass NCRS and Bloomington judging standards. Check your NCRS Judging Manual for details.

Now you can keep your early Corvette exactly as original and have the reservoir look like it just came off the assembly line.