356A Wiper Arms

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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Dave Erickson
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#31 Post by Dave Erickson »

A little late to this discussion, but I have some photos to add to the catalog listing.

This is the 1959 SWF WMK 1-20/34F shepherds crook arm, still in the original packaging.
IMG_0761.jpeg
These are the blades to fit that arm:
IMG_0829.jpeg
IMG_0830.jpeg
And this shows three types of SWF blade attachments, the ones with the setscrew, the ones shown above, and the later blades that use the small clips.
IMG_0757.jpeg
Joris, did you ever locate the second SWF catalog? It would be very interesting to know when the wiper arms with the spring clips were introduced.

Jon Bunin
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#32 Post by Jon Bunin »

DaveErickson wrote: Tue Sep 27, 2022 11:05 pm This is the 1959 SWF WMK 1-20/34F shepherds crook arm, still in the original packaging.
Dave, is the wiper arm yours?
If so, could you please post some pictures of the base, and the entire arm?

Thanks...
Jon Bunin

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Harlan Halsey
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#33 Post by Harlan Halsey »

The trouble with the 356A wipers, no matter which arm is used, is that the drive shaft is too small and soft. The first time the wiper arm is installed, the set screw digs into the shaft. Years later, when you would like to reposition the arm slightly, you can't. A fix would be to spline the end of a harder shaft, put a splined hub on, and modify the arm for the larger hub. Or to modify the gearbox shaft bearing for a larger shaft... Until somebody comes up with a service to modify the gearboxes, and the arms, the A wipers will remain mostly cosmetic. Porsche solved that problem with the C of course.

William Block
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Re: 356A serial number

#34 Post by William Block »

What is #1074_ ?
thanks
Bill Block
Once reviews columnist and the 356 Registry Registrar
Now unofficial, self-appointed registrar trying to keep the faith.
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1953/1952 1500N coupe #11994
1957 Super tractor #133/7622
1959/1958 1600N sunroof coupe #106072
1965/1964 356C Porsche cabriolet #161564
1966/1965 911 coupe #303269
1970 914/6 2.8 modified #9140432388 (for sale)
1998/1998 Silk, aka the fabulous Freda’s Boxter WPOCA2983WS621230
Bill Block
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1500N coupe #11994
S tractor #133/7622
1600N S/R #106072
356C cab #161564
911 #303269
914/6 2.8 #9140432388 (for sale)
Freda’s Boxster WPOCA2983WS621230

Dave Erickson
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#35 Post by Dave Erickson »

Jon, here you go:
IMG_0856.jpeg
IMG_0858.jpeg
IMG_0859.jpeg
IMG_0859.jpeg (138.02 KiB) Viewed 943 times
Note that this blade has an R stamped in the shepherds crook, on the inside of the blade, and the label says rechts (right).
Last edited by Dave Erickson on Sat Oct 01, 2022 8:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Dave Erickson
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#36 Post by Dave Erickson »

Here are some pictures that show the shepherd's crook arm next to a later arm that is on my D. I don't know if the later arm is SWF or aftermarket, but it has the square corners at the base. It takes wiper blades with metal clips. It is also 5mm shorter than the shepherds crook arm. It is also interesting that the later arm is curved instead of bent. I would like to find another shepherds crook arm to complete the set.
IMG_0860.jpeg
IMG_0861.jpeg
IMG_0862.jpeg
IMG_0865.jpeg

Steve Douglas
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#37 Post by Steve Douglas »

What is the difference between the "L" left and "R" right arms?

Steve Douglas
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#38 Post by Steve Douglas »

A while back Dave Erickson mentioned he had a wiper arm stamped "R" and wanted to make a set of "L and R". I have been looking and finally found a "L" to complete my set, I have seen about 10 "R"s but no "L"s. I finally found an "L", but they are the same in every way, shape size, bends. So now I have a set but only one blade assembly with an intact plastic mounting.
IMG_3441.jpeg
IMG_3442.jpeg
IMG_3443.jpeg
IMG_3444.jpeg

Dave Erickson
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#39 Post by Dave Erickson »

These must be among the hardest parts to find for a 59 356a. I wonder how many years those were produced?

Steve Douglas
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#40 Post by Steve Douglas »

Hi Dave, you asked about how long were the shepherds crook style made? So, to answer your question? Many assumptions can be made, but up thru 63 maybe? it seems plausible, being the earliest 901/911s where made in 63, as were the late Bs, and I have a pair of original SWF blades from what is listed as for a 63-65 911, and these have the shepherds crook blade to arm attachment.
For your Convertible D it seems the original shepherds crook end SWF would match the SWF motor assembly, basically the same for late 1958 thru 1961 Roadsters.

VW however switched to Bosch with the metal spring blade attachment, and the straight hook design for the 65-67 bug models, with the rounded end base, and the Type 3, 63-67 had the square end, (however much longer) and the straight hook end. That was the same time frame (63>) for the Cs, VWs still used the set screw shaft while Porsche went to the threaded, nut style shaft. I have no knowledge of what the hook end looked like on the 62-63 B T-6 coupes, but many photos of original C arms show as having the straight hook.

I'm also confused as to brands, the B/C parts book lists two part numbers for all B cars: #644.238.301.10. (Left side) and #644.628.301.14 (right side) More confusion as to the style of arm, SWF has the square end set-screw mount, yet I have not seen any of these style arms with a Bosch logo that have the Sheppards crook.
In looking at several original magazine B model road tests and sale brochures the bases are all square like earlier SWF, so Bosch, but must have made that style too? or use SWF?
The round end bases being of Hella/Bosch ones being sold currently, were never on a 356, only VWs and maybe some Opel. As a side note Opel Records thru 1960 had pickle fork with square set screw bases, then in 61? they changed to the round end bases like VW.

Some have said that in Feb of 59 all coupes/cabs changed to Bosch, which isn't totally true, being there are 5 very late 59 A coupes (June July) that have SWF. A friend has an original 59 early B cab that has SWF arms, blades and motor.
So when did the shepherd crook end?????

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