Stepney 2,314 #1 Posted July 22, 2019 Amongst my WH's and old engines, one odd hobby of mine is collecting the old iron and brass electric table fans from the pre-30's era. Most of my local friends know this, and often show up with some tired out hulk. ..Today's out of nowhere surprise was this cute little thing.. and honestly I forgot they existed. It's a Trico vacuum fan. Intended for 20-30's era cars for defrosting the windshield. It was sold at your local gas station as a kit, (Which includes a fitting, where you drilled and tapped your intake manifold to fit the vacuum barb) and clamped to your steering column. A little oil on the shaft had it humming away.. My only vehicle is an '85 F150, with no air other then wing windows.. not even sliding back glass. (Which honestly I prefer). Always thought about one of the 12v car fans but they are just way too big for my tight cab. Clamped this up on the mirror post and it works great, hums along like a little turbine generator when idling. Conveniently slows down as you accelerate and kicks back up to speed once you stop again. Take this as my old inline 6 is really tired out, or a convenient wear-saving effect on the fan motor.. I don't mind either way Figured I'd share it, neat little piece. Seems to run smooth with very little wear in the bushings. I'm sure it'll probably last another hundred years. 15 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 857 #2 Posted July 23, 2019 Cool find reminds of the older cars with vacuum windshield wipers which when climbing a grade or on a steep hill would stop completely until cresting the hill. My semi truck that I had at retirement a couple years ago was a 1989 international 9370 which had air operated windshield wipers, fortunately it carried 110 to 120 pounds of air pressure so they never slowed or stopped while climbing hills. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,032 #3 Posted July 23, 2019 Dad’s 1969 AMC Rambler had vacuum wipers, and I seem to remember that the thing that made the windshield washer fluid squirt was a small diaphragm above the high/low beam switch that you mashed with your left foot...... great design! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stepney 2,314 #4 Posted July 23, 2019 32 minutes ago, Razorback said: Dad’s 1969 AMC Rambler had vacuum wipers, and I seem to remember that the thing that made the windshield washer fluid squirt was a small diaphragm above the high/low beam switch that you mashed with your left foot...... great design! Yep! I had a Plymouth with one of those washer 'buttons' as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
little red riding horse 220 #6 Posted July 23, 2019 (edited) here is one of mine , quite a rare fan ….Webley & scott youtube Phil Edited July 23, 2019 by little red riding horse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,032 #7 Posted July 23, 2019 1 hour ago, little red riding horse said: here is one of mine , quite a rare fan ….Webley & scott youtube Phil That’s cool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
