Windshield Washer Pump Retrofit
Years ago, I was contemplating installing an air compressor pump from the automatic air shock leveling system from an Olds Toronado, Buick Riviera, or Cadillac Eldorado, to pressurize the windshield washer reservoir on my old '74 bus.
That would have worked, but it would have been a lot to go through, when there is a much simpler, and effective way of producing the same result.
All it takes, is to disconnect the washer hoses from the steering column mounted lever switch, and essentially insert an electrically operated pump to them.
The pump I used, is a cheap one from J.C. Whitney:
Universal washer pump
Once the hoses are rerouted, and the wiring is connected, you can just drop the pump behind the kickplate ledge. It is best if the pump is located below the feed tube from the bottom of the bottle. I thought about mounting the pump, but...once laid in bed, where's it gonna go? Plus, if I need to access it, how simple could it be?
If you're wondering, that is carpet underliner foam I placed, for insulation behind the front body panel.
I drilled an extra hole in the dashboard, for the pushbutton for the pump.
Here is where you can get the type of switch I used:
Carling pushbutton - Grainger #2X894
Pay no attention to the mass of wires in the background (or the man behind the curtain).
Be sure to remove the valve stem core from the air fill tube that extends from the fill cap, before you try out the pump, so the reservoir doesn't build up any vacuum as it empties. You may want to keep the air fill tube raised upward, so fluid doesn't spill out when splashed.
Be sure also, to keep the reservoir full enough you don't run the pump dry.
