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.

Our new 1956-1962 Corvette Chrome Windshield Side Posts are correct reproductions for 1960-1962 Corvettes and excellent replacements for 1956-1959 Corvettes. The chrome C1 Corvette windshield side posts are manufactured from N.O.S. side posts and are then chrome plated for a perfect look and shine. Be sure to take into consideration when installing these posts that they must be fitted specifically to each individual Corvette. We recommend letting an experienced Corvette shop do the installation to prevent damaging the windshield side post or your Corvette.

1956-1962 Corvette Windshield Side Post (Chrome)

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 Elliott, who owns a 1981 Corvette:

Hi, I own a 1981 Corvette that is giving me a problem. When it rains, the carpet under the front floor mats gets soaking wet. The leak is not coming from the top of the car; I’ve sat in the car while it was raining and no water was coming in from the top. Do you have any idea were this leak is coming from?

Answer: Unfortunately, water leaks are a very common problem with many C3 generation Corvettes. The windshield frames do not drain water properly and water and debris collects in the channels under the exterior moldings, creating a perfect environment for corrosion to take place.
The water leaks are caused by either a poor seal/installation around the windshield or corrosion that has taken place in the windshield frame itself. The easiest way to check is to look at the frame between glass and the windshield molding. You can see if the frame has rust scales and shows signs of deterioration. There is no easy fix for the windshield frame. To properly fix, your Corvette’s windshield must come out and the entire frame needs to be cut out and repaired with new sections. Fortunately, these pieces are available. If the problem is a seal, then you can contact your local glass company to come out and cut the windshield out of the car, reseal the glass and install.

Do you have a Corvette technical question that you need answered?
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Another new Corvette Part at Zip. This one for C3 Corvettes.

Windshield Frame Assembly

For years “shark” era Corvette owners have struggled with rusting windshield frames. Though all areas are susceptible to rust what typically happens is water runs down the posts and gathers at the center assembly where it sits and corrodes the lower center windshield frame. If the Corvette sits for an extended amount of time, as many do, you better believe some rust or deteriorating damage to this area has taken place.

Over the past few years some of these rust happy components such as the Windshield Frame Upper Header, Upper Corner Pieces, and Side Posts have become available through Zip Corvette. However, there still was no answer for the lower center assembly. After years of fabricating, modifying, and really just settling with mediocrity in many cases, Zip finally has the answer that will change the way you restore your rusted windshield frame.

The new 1968-1982 Corvette Lower Center Windshield Frame Assemblies are correct reproductions and include the inner and outer steel welded together. They are available for 1968-1972 and 1973-1982 Corvettes.