Toronado.org

I need to install new wiper blades on my '66 Toro. The one existing arm measures 16", but my parts car has 18" aftermarket ones. What is the correct length and where can I purchase refills?
Marty, St. Louis, MO

The correct ones are 18".

You can buy the correct metal arms with blades from Trico from their classic collection. Trico 33-183

https://www.tricoproducts.com/products/ ... -212630528

https://www.tricoproducts.com/find-wipe ... &removal=1

Don't put those ugly black ones on it.

You can order the proper 18" rubber blade refills from Trico, as well.

Thanks for the information. When I looked up the part by application it gave me 18", but those looked to have too much overlap. I'll get a pair ordered.
Marty St. Louis, MO

Here's one on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353538379752?h ... SwyiBc~67-

And one on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Trico-33-183-Cla ... 220&sr=8-3

I noticed a couple others for sale but they're using the wrong photo for the 33-183 blade. This one, for example, shows a photo of the blade that uses a different attachment method. Hopefully the actual product is correct.

https://www.ebay.com/p/79272544?iid=402846007080

Otto,
I think the attachment method is correct on the third item, but it is missing a piece that goes between the wiper arm and the wiper blade. The Trico 33-183 Classic has a gray plastic piece, but the originals should have been stainless steel.

My drivers side headlight actuator was not working, so I removed it in order to find out why. What a PITA this was. One the bottom side there was only enough room to turn the wrench 1/8 turn. On the top side, you could not see the nut and I had to use a mirror and flashlight to see what I was doing. I drilled out the rivets and found the unit in pretty good condition. I believe the shaft had rusted and was binding on the top plate of the actuator. I'm ready to reassemble, but wondering about what to use to lubricate the piston rubber. When dry it is hard to move. If lubricant is used, it could be drawn into the engine.

Marty

Yes, the wipers should be all metal with no plastic.

Here are pictures of the wipers with the attachment piece visible. If the Trico 33-183s don't have that metal piece, see if John Dorcey has a set of used ones and just buy the refill blades.

So far I've been lucky with my headlights. All I've had to do since I owned the car is replace worn out vacuum lines.

I rebuilt several of the canisters for my car. One of them had a small crack that was leaking air and not working. I found some silicone lube at the auto parts store. They should have it wherever you are. I use it for o rings and such. The canisters are pretty straight forward but you are correct, removing and installing them is a PIA.

Mine work great now. Only problem I have is releasing the vacuum to get them to go down. I’ve tried several different check valves with no success.

Tuco,
I followed your advice (and that of a close friend) and used plumbers silicone grease that I found at Home Depot. Seems to have the right consistency, won't absorb water, and shouldn't become too stiff in the winter. I put a light coating of grease on the inside of the chamber and the rubber, cleaned and painted the spring, and riveted it all back together. The drivers side worked so good that I took the passenger side actuator off and rebuilt it. This side had much more crud and moisture in it and a portion of the return spring had rusted off. I had the passenger side actuator off in less than 1/2 hour. Much easier when you know how it is a put together. The reason the passenger side was so much easier was that I found out there was no reason to remove the swivel from the bracket on the bottom side. I was also able to flip up the headlight so that the nut on the top was visible and accessible. Attached are before and after photos. I cleaned the plastic canister then rubbed a light coating of the silicone grease on the exterior, then wiped as much back off as I could. Turned out looking sharp.
Marty 636-458-4402

Here is a photo of the finished actuator