Well, the original wiper motor in my '83 242 started having problems - making awful noises, sweeping slowly and sometimes not at all. After reading around - especially Art's page on this topic (thanks again Art - you are always there and so helpful), I pulled the motor and confirmed that one of the two magnets is loose in there. I see that it may be possible to take this all apart, re-glue the magnet, and maybe raise this motor like a Phoenix from the dead. But I am not sure that I am quite up to this.

So I am considered alternatives. IPD and many other places offer new motors at "reasonable" prices and some places offer Cordone rebuilt motors (generally for more $ than the new ones). I have heard from some informed sources that the aftermarket ones are pretty crappy. And I worry that all I might get in a rebuilt unit is a rebuilt aftermarket one.

To my amazement, I have found a source in Sweden where I can get a new, real, OEM motor. I was able to obtain real, new, OEM tail lights for the car last year from the same outfit and that worked out great. So I trust the supplier and all that. But the cost with shipping from Sweden ($200 total) is roughly 3.5x that of a new aftermarket motor from IPD ($56 + shipping).

So the question is, is the price difference worth it? Have you had good success with the new aftermarket ones?

Once I decide what to do/purchase, I will be back for consultation on how to best seal things when installing the motor. During removal, I noticed at least two forms of sealing: (a)something black - likely butyl - painted around the shaft housing itself and (b) something white - looks like it came out of a caulking gun - around the rest of the base. I don't want any leaks!

Thanks for your time, experience, and comments.