Topic: 69 wiper size?

[69cobrajetrugae2]

Is it 15 or 16 inches?  Please advise, thanks.

[69cobrajetrugae2]

Thanks.  My is 15 as well. All available information indicates that the correct size is 16. I wonder if the 69 cars we're born with both sizes? Are you the original owner of your Mustang?

[Brian Conway]

Mine seem to be slightly different than yours.  The Trico wiper blade holder is 15 & 3/4".  With the newer Trico wiper blade 16 & 1/4".  Brian

[69cobrajetrugae2]

My original TRICO blade holder measures 14.75, plus another 3/8" for the blade insert extension.  I found a Mustang parts guy that had a nice set of no name inserts with the stainless rib reinforcement for 11.00 dollars. 

It seems that 15" was standard for all 64.5 to 68 Mustangs, and 16" was standard for the 1969 model year.  I wonder how many 15" we're factory installed on the 69 Mustangs. It is hard to tell the difference without a tape measure. I was unable to find a wiper blade size listed in the 1969 factory service manuals.  Perhaps Ford thought that the mechanics could figure that one out for themselves. 

[69cobrajetrugae2]

Wow, very interesting! Thanks a lot!

[69cobrajetrugae2]

Thank you for your kind replies. I like my 15" blades, they are just the right size. In addition, there is published material that indicates that my car left the factory with them.

It's possible that Ford upgraded the 1969 Mustang wiper blades to 16" for no charge when the cars came in for service.

The cars that slipped through the cracks never received the 16" blades.

Or, the leftover 15" blades we're mixed in with the new 16" blades at the factories. I doubt that Ford customers would have noticed the difference.

What if there was one 15" and one 16" on the same car?  Again, hard to notice.
 

[J_Speegle]

Just a word of caution - often sales, brochures, manuals and such are written early or before production starts so they can include details not represented once they start building cars. So IMHO don't base a choice solely on that documentation

Just thought that should be mentioned - guess that would be a fun thread to start - things found that are incorrect

[Anghelrestorations]

Anco was the original wiper blades used on 69 Mustangs and 16 inch would be the correct size.  Originals wiper arms and blades are getting harder and harder to find anymore. 

[specialed]

In Dearborn anyway from what I seen ford started out with trico then anco then back to trico in 70

[specialed]

remember back in 60s 70s  gas stations had wiper blades outside by gas pumps & they got changed oftenby gas station attendants if car needed it or noy to get a sale. best to go by low mile car & I just looked at the first 69 cj ragtop with 7000 mi. & they are trico but forgot to measure them

[krelboyne]

I think that it would be helpful to show the details of production line ANCO and Trico wiper blade holders. It is my understanding that one of them, (ANCO, I think?) had folded tabs on the ends that made it difficult to change blades unless you used pliers to bend the tab up.
Wish I had taken a photo before sending out my only set.

[specialed]

correct scot anco totally different design than trico & you can tell from a distance & looking at new cars on lots & mag adds & see which blades they are as anco 3 part hinge both ends vs trico 2 part hinge in middle designs & assemblyline anco says O E on 2 end parts.  from what I have seen on Dearborn original cars the anco & flat solenoids show up jan & on till 1970 production.   The anco blades are not designed to change rubbers out vs trico having spring clip on 1 end much easy rubber change out.  my thinking on change to 16'' over in 69-70 blades is windshield bigger on coupe & convert in69-70 vs 67-68 coupe convert & fastback all same size smaller windshields so taller windshield need longer blades.

[69cobrajetrugae2]

It might be possible that when Ford service mechanics replaced the wiper blades, they installed new 15" wiper blade as opposed to loading a 16" insert into the existing 16" blade holder.  The reason for this is that during rainstorms, there is always a rush to replace wipers and the 16" blade inserts may have been in short supply. The only alternative the Ford dealer had was to install a 15" blade and then install a 15" insert, which was in stock.

Since my blades are OEM Trico with the correct stamps and codes for a mustang, and my car was originally delivered to the Seattle district, it makes sense. Even an original owner would not know or remember the change, or notice the difference.

Again, I like the look of the 15".  Would a judge deduct points for a 15" on a 1969 Mustang in a concourse Mustang event?

[Bob Gaines]

It might be possible that when Ford service mechanics replaced the wiper blades, they installed new 15" wiper blade as opposed to loading a 16" insert into the existing 16" blade holder.  The reason for this is that during rainstorms, there is always a rush to replace wipers and the 16" blade inserts may have been in short supply. The only alternative the Ford dealer had was to install a 15" blade and then install a 15" insert, which was in stock.

Since my blades are OEM Trico with the correct stamps and codes for a mustang, and my car was originally delivered to the Seattle district, it makes sense. Even an original owner would not know or remember the change, or notice the difference.

Again, I like the look of the 15".  Would a judge deduct points for a 15" on a 1969 Mustang in a concourse Mustang event?

Yes points off for a 15 inch on a 69 the same way  points would be taken off for 16 inch on 67/68.   Reason ? Mistakes aside ,they were not engineered to come that way.

[Bob Gaines]

I will try to remember to take some pictures tomorrow since I know Mr Ed can't or will not try to learn how to post pictures . This Anco wiper detail is one of his pet peeves and I know it is killing him to not to be able to explain himself better. Come to think of it that is very satisfying to me -winding him up  .l I will try and help him out AGAIN.