Dear V-8 Buick parts hounds, Okay call me a sucker, but I've bought the Detroit Speed "select-a-wiper" interval wiper kit for my trusty 1965 Buick Special wagon. Like everything associated with this project there have been a few "surprises." In this particular case the Detroit Speed switch is 3/8" in diameter while the original Buick switch has a flattened edge and is 1/2". So I need to make a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter so that I can use my original factory knob and decorative nut. By far the easiest way to make this adapter would be to saw out a section of a wiper switch like this: Just in case things don't work out, I would prefer not to hack up the switch of my trusty wagon. Would anybody have a beat-up old switch they would be willing to sell me from which I could remove this section to make as an adapter? Cheers, Edouard :beer P.S. Yeah I know, how do I come up with these really weird requests!?!?? :Brow:
Following along as I have the exact same problem. I was thinking of making a bushing if you will but there might not be enough material for threads on the inside and outside to do that.
Just a thought but could you take a correct size die and thread it all the way till it bottoms out then grind the flat spot how you need it, take the die off to correct the threads and go from there? You'd have to clean up the base under where the die seated but I think it could be done. I might be seeing this all wrong but it's just a thought, good luck ether way.
Another Detroit Speed "select-a-wiper?" (Re: WTB: "wrecked" 1965 GM wiper switch.) Dear 1989GTA, Pete, and V-8 Buick "sneaky parts modifiers," Are you also trying to fit the Detroit Speed "select-a-wipe" unit? If so into which car? I'm still puzzling over whether or not the wiper motor will fit. Have you looked into that? On the 1965 dash there are there is an outer frame that the "select-a-wipe" control could be secured to with a flat nut. So at that location all that is needed is a thin centering spacer. The decorative nut that right now secures the OEM switch can then simply rest on the shaft again with some sort of centering spacer. Finally the knob can be secured, again with some sort circular shim so that it is reasonably centered. Sorry if it is confusing, I could take some pictures and try to explain it better, but it would only matter if your dash has the same sort of setup. Unfortunately, I don't know where you could get a piece of metal rod that is 1/2" in diameter and has something close to a 3/8" hole bored though it. Can you buy such a thing? I'm not even sure what a thing like that would be called. Any bright ideas on this one would be greatly appreciated!! :Smarty: Cheers, Edouard :beer
"Are you also trying to fit the Detroit Speed "select-a-wipe" unit? If so into which car? I'm still puzzling over whether or not the wiper motor will fit. Have you looked into that?" Yes, I bought the same unit for my 1965 Skylark. So far I have only looked into mounting the switch on the dash and ran into the same problems you have noted. I have not looked into mounting the actual motor yet. Edit: I just looked at the problem again and I think I have a solution for the switch. I am going to bore out the hole in the Buick switch bezel to 9/16". I will then press fit a 9/16" bushing into the bezel with a 3/8-X thread inside it so that it will screw onto the new switch provided by Detroit Speed. I think that will do it and retain the Buick parts.
Interesting and interesting . . . (Re: WTB: "wrecked" 1965 GM wiper switch.) Hi Ken, 1989GTA, and V-8 Buick sneaky parts crafters . . . . . Very interesting!! Do let me know!! . . . . . some help you are!! Are you telling I have to make every last mistake myself!! :rant: :laugh: Well glad you've found the solution, but I don't understand what you have in mind. There is a outer heavy metal housing and a small flat bezel which is mostly flat black. You would drive that 9/16" into the housing? Even if you do that, how would you keep the decorative nut and knob from being off-center? Speak man!! I'm tired of making all the mistakes by myself around here!! :laugh: Cheers, Edouard :beer P.S. it might be at the point where I need to take some photos and explain the situation with some diagrams.
i have an extra wiper switch from a partial instrument cluster i have.you can have it for the cost of shipping.
Thanks Ken - I'll take it! (Re: WTB: "wrecked" 1965 GM wiper switch.) Hi Ken and Thanks! That's great! PM sent! Let me know how much "da' Pony Express" (Canadian Mounties style) wants to bring this part south! Cheers, Edouard :beer
Thanks Ken! (Re: WTB: "wrecked" 1965 GM wiper switch.) Dear Ken and V-8 Buick tinkerers! Thanks Ken!! I'll definitely report on my experiments and the results of the conversion attempt! Cheers, Edouard :beer
