first time poster - intro for 1978 350 swap / wiper, wiper link and wiper motor install

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H

herb27

Joined
Oct 22, 2024
Threads
1
Messages
10
Location
Hamburg NY
Hello all, been lingering here for about a year now. My fiancé (now wife) knew I always wanted a 70's era FJ40 and surprised me last year about this time with a 78 sbc 350 swap. My first project car! been awesome learning as I go. Got myself a Haynes book and found this forum and my journey began. The wring was hacked pretty good, started off learning the wire diagrams and cleaning grounds and the fuse box and got the lights and turn signals working, the heater and blower. The only electric issue I seem to be having is the fuel gauge, but I've moved my attention elsewhere for now. that can be a winter project in the garage.
Changed all the fluids been driving her around and doing projects all summer. The steering was very loose and bouncy so decided to tackle that this past weekend.
Successfully replaced the tie rod ends in about 4 hours solo which felt great for my first time and replaced the steering stabilizer. Happy to report she handles like a dream.

Haven't had to ask any questions yet because all my questions are old news on here, but I think I have one. This forum is an amazing resource and has answered all my question in the past, but I can't seem to find an answer to this. I plan on installing a wiper motor and wipers soon, got all the parts in that I think I need. One of the previous owners removed the wiper motor and arms and filled the holes.... been scared to cut out a new hole for the wiper motor to connect to the wiper link. I was able to take apart the dash and find the original wires and get a harness from coolerman. I know where the wiper arms get mounted but I was wondering if someone might be able to take their wiper motor cover off and give me some measurements or just throw a ruler in the picture so I can figure out where I need to cut / drill for the hole for the wiper link to connect inside the dash and where the motor gets mounted in relation to the cover holes.
 
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Here is a picture with the cover off. Don’t really understand what measurements you could need?

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So one of the previous owners filled the hole through the dash under the wiper motor cover when they removed the wiper system for whatever reason and painted it over so I don’t know the correct placement of the motor mounting holes or wiper link hole through the windshield. Just want to be able to measure from my wiper cover holes so I know where to drill / cut.
I can post some pictures of what I’m working with under the wiper cover at a later date.
 
herb27 said:
So one of the previous owners filled the hole through the dash under the wiper motor cover when they removed the wiper system for whatever reason and painted it over so I don’t know the correct placement of the motor mounting holes or wiper link hole through the windshield. Just want to be able to measure from my wiper cover holes so I know where to drill / cut.
I can post some pictures of what I’m working with under the wiper cover at a later date.
Click to expand...
Post pictures.
Most of us are illiterate.
 
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So that’s a picture under the wiper cover and a picture from the inside under the defroster.
It appears like the area may have been rusted to hell and they riveted some sort of metal to reinforce and then maybe some sort of body filler and paint.

It’s entirely possible I’m over thinking this and can just install the link since I know where the wiper arms go then wing it from there ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But if anyone has a picture of what it looks like without a motor maybe ?
then I can figure out where I need the correct hole placement for the link, motor and mounting / wires that would be super helpful so I can figure out a plan of attack here for install.
 
herb27 said:
View attachment 4013354View attachment 4013355View attachment 4013356
So that’s a picture under the wiper cover and a picture from the inside under the defroster.
It appears like the area may have been rusted to hell and they riveted some sort of metal to reinforce and then maybe some sort of body filler and paint.

It’s entirely possible I’m over thinking this and can just install the link since I know where the wiper arms go then wing it from there ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But if anyone has a picture of what it looks like without a motor maybe ?
then I can figure out where I need the correct hole placement for the link, motor and mounting / wires that would be super helpful so I can figure out a plan of attack here for install.
Click to expand...
tpautoparts.com

WINDSHIELD FRAME LHD, FOR TOYOTA LAND CRUISER FJ40/FJ45 , (STEEL)

Windshield Frame, for FJ40, FJ45 Toyota Land Cruiser 1975-1984
tpautoparts.com tpautoparts.com

cruisercorps.com

Windshield Frame - LHD - FJ40, FJ45 1975-1984

New OEM Reproduction. Compatible with 1975-1984 FJ40 and FJ45 models.
cruisercorps.com cruisercorps.com


Google is your friend
 
Bodacious!
Thanks for that!
Still, I can't seem to figure out how to google search the dimensions of those holes. user error im sure.

Would like to do a decent job on this so, if someone could throw a tape measure over the hole from either side if they have an empty frame hole id appreciate it.
 
herb27 said:
Bodacious!
Thanks for that!
Still, I can't seem to figure out how to google search the dimensions of those holes. user error im sure.

Would like to do a decent job on this so, if someone could throw a tape measure over the hole from either side if they have an empty frame hole id appreciate it.
Click to expand...
I just figure if I don't have that hole cut just about right the motor won't connect to the link.
so, I a tape measure across the top motor cover screws and then one along either side of the motor cover screw holes then id be able to measure the correct placement and just have to cut and drill once.
 
herb27 said:
Bodacious!
Thanks for that!
Still, I can't seem to figure out how to google search the dimensions of those holes. user error im sure.

Would like to do a decent job on this so, if someone could throw a tape measure over the hole from either side if they have an empty frame hole id appreciate it.
Click to expand...
If you had the measurements of the corner holes, you could scale everything to that but V8etc… has a point, you should start looking for a replacement.

That hack job is an onion in waiting.
 
V8FJ4078 said:
looks like that part of the windshield frame was that rusty, this was the fix. I'd fine a new or good used one to put on and bolt everything right into it.
removing that might show the issue it is covering.
Click to expand...
its added to the list now of things to do to keep it alive / bring it back to glory but for now i just want it to pass nys inspection so i can drive it without the worry of a fine.
 
long range plan should be to replace that entire frame as it is very compromised, between rust and cut out/missing sections
make sure you get the correct size wiper motor, it should be the small motor to fit in the wiper motor cover,
measure the cover to be certain
AFAIK the linkage piece is all the same

the passenger side link hole looks like it is still visible in the 1 pic, left side of the last pic posted above, square plate with filled hole
I would remove the stuff from the wiper motor area and make sure there is a place to mount the wiper motor itself before going any further,
 
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The wiper motor is attached to a mounting plate then the mounting plate is bolted to the w/s frame. So you have a pattern of where mounting plate holes are for the w/s frame. Last winter i had to piece my w/s frame together using 2 frames that were rusted in different spots. I had to rebuild the lip inside and out for windshield gasket. Your frame looks pretty ruff, idk how much time I'd spend on it. Be sure it's worth messing with.

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Yeah
pb4ugo said:
The wiper motoe is attached to a mounting plate then the mounting plate is bolted to the w/s frame. So you have a pattern of where mounting plate holes are for the w/s frame. Last winter i had to piece my w/s frame together using 2 frames that were rusted in different spots. I had to rebuild the lip inside and out for windshield gasket. Your frame looks pretty ruff, idk how much time I'd spend on it. Be sure it's worth messing with.

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Thank you!

Thanks to all for the help and info.

New windshield frame will definitely be a must down the line, along with some other panels. But, for the time being I’m going to Macgyver up something solid, doesn’t have to be pretty for me just functional for now.
Building a new garage in 2026 so I’ll have some space for some disassembly to address s*** bondo and rust.
 
Drilled out the link pivot holes. Wire brushed the hell out of the inside of the dash where any rust was lurking cleaned and repeated then painted before installing the link.
made myself a cardboard stencil with the measurements and used a harbor freight rotary tool with a cutting blade and an oscillating saw after triple checking the measurements. went slow and got the motor hole out. Looks great and very sturdy.

Drilling for wire harness and grommet tomorrow. Thinking I’ll use some rivnuts for mounting the motor …. Not sure….and then electrical.

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