MGB: Has anyone changed out their wiper assembly to a more modern system?

In purchasing my 1971 MGB GT recently, the wiper assembly had been removed for a paint job. I've re-installed it but the wipers flob about, tangle with each other and over-rotate. The motor seems fine but the tops of the wheel boxes appear to be fairly stripped, making the wiper arms fairly impossible to attach firmly. I'm wondering if anyone has found another(stronger) system that fits?

Thanks in advance!

Hello Wren,

The original system is perfectly robust. It sounds like yours somehow got mangled and/or it is not currently installed properly. Perhaps you could consult a manual? The wiper rack (the metal tubes through which the wiper motor drives its snake-like spiral "gear") and the wheel boxes (which you attach the wiper arms to) are replaceable. I wouldn't modify anything, just get the old system working correctly again and you'll be good for another 40 years!

I agree, it would be less work to install the one you have properly than to fabricate a custom system. Most problems with wipers that I have seen fall into three categories... improper setup, old hard grease in the gearbox and aftermarket arms that don't stay on the studs.

The only real problem with the original system is that, unlike most modern systems, it takes the wipers back to the park position on every cycle. That isn't really a problem on a car with such a short windshield anyway.

I agree with the other guys - either your wipers are worn out/broken or something isn't installed correctly.

For what its worth, I once looked at a Rolls Royce of about the same vintage as our cars and I'm pretty certain the wiper boxes were identical, or nearly identical to the ones on the MGB!

[quote=ingoldsb]
The only real problem with the (MG's) original system is that, unlike most modern systems, it takes the wipers back to the park position on every cycle.[/quote]

My Honda Ridgeline takes the wipers to/through the park position when operating, and to this day it still looks odd doing so. A bit of research revealed that Honda designed the system this way so that the blades would benefit from sweeping over the lower, heated portion of the windshield. Doing so reduces or eliminates the accumulation of ice on the blades during operation in wet, freezing conditions. Neat.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go back through the manual and see if I can find what I've missed. When I purchased the car it came with a few boxes of bits. I'm not entirely sure I am working with parts that are original to this car - I've found some items that clearly belong with other types of cars in the boxes. I've surmised through the drawings in the manual which ones go to the wiper system but without having the benefit of knowing what it should look like complete, I'm floundering a little. I also had a hard time aligning the wheelboxes with the port holes without the wiper rack conflicting with the washer hose. I may have to just order a new setup and begin again knowing that at least the parts are the intended ones.

Thanks again!

I have never noticed that on new cars.

Are you saying, that once running the wipers do not go right back down, only on park?