69 Wiper Blade Refills

[Wes G.]

On my 69 I found a pair of 16" rubber refills with ANCO R PAT. 2782444 molded into the rubber. From what I read on this Tech Board and the Archives the ANCO R PAT. 2782444 along with Trico wiper refills at 15" were used on 66 Corvettes. I see from the NCRS Tech Info and JG the 68-72's used a 16" rubber refill with Trico and patent numbers molded on the sides.
Does anyone know whether these ANCO R PAT. 2782444 at 16" were ever used on any Corvettes?
Thanks
Wes

[David L.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

My 1969 Corvette Parts Catalog (Oct. 1969) and my 1969 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1968) list GM # 1387040 as the wiper blade INSERT for 1968-1969 Corvettes and described as "INSERT ASSY.. blade (Trico)(15 7/8" long)". GM # 3938167 is listed as the part number for 1968-1969 Corvette WIPER BLADES and described as "(Trico)(15 7/8")(black)".

My 1968 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1967) lists Trico 15 7/8" WIPER BLADES (GM # 3813614) for 1968 Chevrolet Pass. and 1968 Corvettes. It also lists Anco 16 1/16" WIPER BLADES (GM # 3926741) for 1968 Chevrolet Pass. cars only. There are no INSERTS listed for the 1969 Corvette.

Both Trico and Anco blades and inserts are listed for 1966-1967 Corvettes in my vintage parts catalogs and were also installed on the production line.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Wes,

I have a pair of NOS 16" Trico wiper inserts that have the 3 "grooves" as well as the patent numbers, etc. The Trico box part number is "WB-216" in large digits and "RF-16" in small digits. I'm not sure when the "RF-16" part number was changed to "WB-216" but the inserts are the same style as some NOS 1966-1967 Trico inserts that i once owned. Many years ago I bought a dozen pair of NOS Trico RF-15 inserts, some had the 3 "grooves" (1966-1967) and some had the "bumps" (1963-1965) at a swap meet in Puyallup, WA, after a job interview in Renton.

Dave

[Wes G.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Dave,
Many thanks for your very informative reply and excellent photos.
If I may bother you with yet another question!!!
I bought these Trico inserts (photos attached) on e-Bay a few years ago. If I understand you correctly these are NOS Trico inserts correct for my 69 (ie, less the special black plating on the stainless retainers)???

C3 Wiper Insert Box_NOS_1.jpgC3 Wiper Insert_NOS_1.jpgC3 Wiper Insert_NOS_2.jpgC3 Wiper Insert_NOS_3.jpg

[David L.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Dave,
Many thanks for your very informative reply and excellent photos.
If I may bother you with yet another question!!!
I bought these Trico inserts (photos attached) on e-Bay a few years ago. If I understand you correctly these are NOS Trico inserts correct for my 69 (ie, less the special black plating on the stainless retainers)???

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44323[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]44324[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]44325[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]44326[/ATTACH]

Wes,

I would say that your NOS RF-16 inserts are correct for your 69 (except for the stainless steel reinforcements). Your RF-16 box is older then my WB-216 box but the inserts look identical.
According to Chevrolet Parts History GM # 1387040 was discontinued in Jan. 1970 and replaced with GM # 3965940. My educated guess is that your RF-16 inserts are the same as the 1387040 inserts. Even though my WB-216 (RF-16, small digits) inserts might be the 3965940 inserts they also might be the 1387040 inserts.

According to GM Parts History GM # 3965940 was replaced with GM # 9673996 in October 1974.

My 1982 Corvette Parts Catalog lists GM # 9673996 as the part number for the 15 7/8" Trico wiper inserts for 68-81 Corvettes and GM # 1664395 as the Anco insert part number for 74-81 Corvettes.

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Wes------

Wiper blades can last a long time on a 1968-72 Corvette since they are shielded from the sun by the wiper door when they're not in use. As a matter of fact, the wiper blades currently installed on my original owner 1969 are the original blades-----I've never replaced them! Of course, I have not driven the car in the rain for many years and I don't know how well they would perform now, but they are definitely the originals. I can't inspect or photograph them right now, though, as the door is closed and I don't want to open it manually.

[Wes G.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Thanks Joe,
I definitely would be interested in seeing some photos of your wiper blades and wiper compartment (ie, would be nice to see how the blackout and tar/sealent was applied over the pivot bases) when the driving season returns!
Wes

[David L.]

Re: 69 Wiper Blade Refills

Wes,

I have a pair of original 16" Trico "dull gray finish" wiper blades (with the remains of one ANCO insert) that I removed from a 1969 Pontiac LeMans back in the early 1990's. The top end is stamped just "TRICO" while the bottom end is stamped "TRICO" over "MADE IN USA". I believe that they are the same as the 1969 Corvette except for the color.

Dave