Bored without the cars around and with not much going on, I thought I'd finally get around to actually opening the big box containing a set of power window regulators, motors, plugs and some wires for a 69 B Body.

I'd got them from Carl last year when I'd bought the 69. And as far as I'm concerned, all convertibles MUST have power windows!!

The setup came from a 1969 Catalina 2 door HT, and a such fits most all 1969 B Bodies, sharing that same door and glass architecture. Smart move GM! I believe the front regulators are unique to that one single year in the longer door, the 4 doors cars 69-70 shared the reg. The rears work on 69-70. and of course the motors and drives have been the same more or less since the early 60's, to the late 70's when a different plug and polarity setup was introduced. The experts here will know all these details to a tee.

Decided to test them for fun. So I cut the plug wires as far back as possible, pulled the connector plugs, reconnected one, then connected one motor wire to the battery +. Grounding the motor metal (body grounded), and keeping clear of the finger mashers, low and behold, they all worked full stroke! And pretty smoothly at that. Now considering the yard they were pulled out of and the description of how the car was sitting, it's a surprise. But I cant lie, really, they looked pretty nice. All the joints are solid and the rollers are still in good shape. I would not expect any less from Carl...

For many years, this type of Delco motor and plug is universally wired the same. Of course right and left side motors run mirror image to each other.

But now, or course we can't leave well enough alone. We need to dig further into these 65 year old mechanisms (date code Aug 68). They must need a cleaning and lube, right? 

Assuming this date code means 27th day, 8th month, 1968?

Interestingly, these part numbers stamped on the gear housing do not match with the CP MPC numbers. 5045585 (right side) and 5045586 (left) as seen on my motors appear to be two digits out from the CP MPC. 5587/5588 respectively.

Is it a USA/CP thing. They use the same glass.

Rear elect regulator,

Now before going any further, most guys who have been in here know that a danger lurks in these things, a hidden danger that you might not think of. It's a spring. The regulator arm when lowered tightens a heavy clock spring. A spring that is pre loaded even when the arm is in the full up position. the spring offers assistance in lifting the heavy glass, and I suppose is intended to balance the speed of the glass up and down. Without it, the motor likely wouldn't last long.

Spring is small, but stout,

If you jump in and remove the motor from the regulator without this knowledge, it can be bad. If the arm is in the down position and you pull the motor drive bolts, the arm is likely to whip up under spring tenson. If your fingers are in the "Scissor" area, it might not be fun. the stamping are SHARP! You could actually have the spring come out rapidly, and even with the arm up there is still stored energy in the arm. I'm sure guys have some stories. When I broke down a 70 set to box, I did not know this, and was suitably startled by a "SNAP" when I pulled the first motor the arm snapped up. The next three I was sure to set the arm to the up position, and block the arm with a bolt or clamp.

This time with the arms set almost fully up (slightly off the end of the ring gear stop) , I simple drove in a self drilling Teck screw through the arm and into the body in a convenient spot. Worked great and the hole left will be no issue.

So with the arms locked, I could now safely remove the 3- 7/16 bolts holding the motor drive to the regulator body. You simply wiggle the motor and gear free of the ring gear.

Why all the different stamped numbers?

Sometimes the drive gear will come free when you pull the motor. With it out one can see the grease on the plastic Worm gear and in the drive case. Here, it's old and waxy, but I've seen way worse.

And here's the drive and worm gear assembly. You can see the simple cup seal skirt below. Of note, the drive gear section is encapsulated in what appears to be an elastomeric rubber. Makes sense. A small cushion to save the gear, for when the window goes full up/down to the stops.

Or when that pesky kid sticks his fingers in on the way up...

Most of the crud on the gear is just dried and filthy grease. Not rust as it appears.

Little short of one running, 

 https://youtube.com/shorts/B9GBf7mnGCY?si=hxOEd7ZEMWijroxb

Next up;

Opening the motor case....