1954 GE combination fridge

[northwesty]

Hi all, well I have been reading with great interest the goings on with the '57 GE refrigerator, and also have been looking for a fix for my " GE. Anyway, it was Spring Cleaning today so here is my fridge. I pulled it out and tidied up under the unit, also gave the outside a going over...

 

[northwesty]

So

Years ago my son broke the plastic shelve that holds the crisper drawers and ever since they have been just sitting in the bottom. I have occasionally been looking on craigslist for something to replace them with but usually there is just another restorable fridge that is pretty expensive. Finally this showed up it is a good doner machine so I went and got it. I think it is one year newer as it has kinda a turquoise and yellow interior.

 

[northwesty]

Here is the inside with that

area where the drawers just sat, and hurray here it is restored with all the piece is place. I even have an extra one in case there is another break.

 

[northwesty]

So

here is the question. One of the reasons I did bother to get it was the problems with the other thread and that 57 GE. Here I have all these parts that I can stash away in case this one breaks.

I am looking for suggestions and guidance on how to keep this compressor in storage -- right now this is filled with refrigerant and it quite a big unit. I plan on taking this apart. I don't think there is a fan in there but I might be wrong. There is that relay, etc. Anyway the parts on this rusty not-so-top-of-the-line unit are looking pretty good and I would like to make good use of them. thanks for any advise.

The first picture is of my machine and the second it the donor machine.

 

[rp2813]

Nice Combination!

If one of those were up for grabs locally right now, I'd jump on it.

 

I don't know if long term storage does a mechanical system much good.  Practical experience and on-line accounts suggest that a fridge that has been in regular operation poses fewer problems than one that has been sitting idle.  Of course, some components can wear out, and my late '57 Combo is a good example of a worst case scenario, but generally speaking, use it or lose it applies here.  You may be better off plugging the donor fridge in with cold control on the "warmest" setting. 

 

I hope this bump will trigger replies from mechanical experts among us here.