Over at a different Thunderbird forum there was a fairly recent posting with instructions to remove a dash from a '57. (tbirdforum *******). It's the same procedure for '55 & '56. As far as removing the wipers you remove the arms / blades assemblies from the outside then you remove the nuts from the outside (if you want to buy it there is a special tool available from supplier sources like Hill's,
NPD, Larry's) I got mine off using non-specialized tools but I plan to purchase the special tool for re-installation later on. The wiper shafts then drop down inside the cockpit. If the dash is still in you will have to reach up under the dash to disconnect the arms from the vacuum motor or I'm pretty sure you can unbolt the vacuum motor and slide the whole assembly out. I would remove the windshield last so you will have sufficient room to run the razor knife around the inside to cut the rubber seal and pop the windshield out. First remove all the brightwork from all around the inside (you should have taken about half of the inside off to get the dashboard out). Take off the exterior brightwork. Leave the bottom piece of brightwork on the bottom outside of the windshield. It comes out with the windshield and is installed with the windshield later on.
You wrote that you are looking for help. Are you looking for help like these instructions or actual hands-on assistance? I know you told me you are in southern Maine. I'm in northeastern Mass. Do you think you might need me to come by there? It's actually an easy dis-assembly. Just work at it logically and don't just try to yank things apart. (you might have to use a little persuasion if things are really rusted.)
