Some thoughts and questions prompted in part by iadr's all-too-familiar looking photos: December found me making the Boston-Chicago-Boston run in the worst possible conditions (60 mph headwind, driving sleet turning to snow, then rain, then snow again, etc.) in a 544 whose running gear is less than fresh. B18 and M41 performed like a pair of champs, but the trip claimed one low-beam filament, my heater fan motor, one wiper arm, and introduced a new grinding noise from the wiper motor...so it's time for some improvements and I'd welcome the input of PVers who have solved the following winter problems:

1. Windshield washer: I have a tank and pump from a 1-or-240 which I've tried unsuccessfully to get a usable spray from. All I've been able to produce from the 544's nozzles is a pathetic dribble. The pump motor may well be the culprit, but are these nozzles even capable of delivering the goods on a salt-and-ice-encrusted windshield? Should one consider switching to more modern types?

2. Windshield wipers: I'm considering stronger springs for the wiper arms, but I'm wondering if there might not be another arm entirely, from the modern age, which accepts more effective blades and snaps onto the 544's splined wiper shafts. Or at least a nice substitute for the 12" Anco blade?
Also, could someone who has installed a 245 rear wiper motor to drive their 544 wipers comment on the relative burliness of the 245 motor? The ones I have seen are radically different in appearance from the toasterlike OEM motor, but these may not be from the correct year...

3. Blower motor: I haven't yet looked for a replacement 544 fan motor but I expect to hear a cash register ringing to the tune of about $200 when I do. Anyone running a successful substitute?

Thanks for any suggestions. Here's the problem-solved part:
My rebuilt 10:1 compression B18 (pop-up pistons, no mods to head) was plagued with pinging under hard acceleration and would not submit to any of the standard cures. I am running a Mallory Unilite distributor and finally reset the mechanical advance to 12 degrees, this combined with careful mixture setting got it within reasonable limits. I was ready to (reluctantly) chalk up the remaining nagging ping to hot-spot detonation being caused by the relatively blocky shape of the piston pop-ups.
Finally (in Chicago) the car started stalling in an ugly fashion when decelerating from highway speeds, and I took the rear SU apart. No piston spring. Forgot to put it in when I changed needles nine months ago...ran pretty good for that time, considering the carb was missing a major component. Doubled my already high respect for SUs, dented my already battered pride only minimally.
Best, happy new year--Nathan