1955 Frigidaire washer free in Pleasant Hill near San Francisco
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Frigidaire
Frigidaire
I saw a picture of the inside not pretty , Half full of water that’s been there for 20 years ...Or longer LOL
Frigidaire
I saw a picture of the inside not pretty , Half full of water that’s been there for 20 years ...Or longer LOL
Neat Find
But unfortunately like the nearly 20 appliances that several of us drug all the way back to the east coast from Aberdeen SD none ever got restored and have been recycled.
Functional parts are not so much the problem as is just rusted out cabinets, porclean cabinets that badly chipped and dented. Usually on ovens that have been sitting outside for decades the insulation has held so much moisture near the hinge area that the oven doors just break off if you try to open them.
These are fun to look at but there are much more deserving appliances that need restoring.
John L.
But unfortunately like the nearly 20 appliances that several of us drug all the way back to the east coast from Aberdeen SD none ever got restored and have been recycled.
Functional parts are not so much the problem as is just rusted out cabinets, porclean cabinets that badly chipped and dented. Usually on ovens that have been sitting outside for decades the insulation has held so much moisture near the hinge area that the oven doors just break off if you try to open them.
These are fun to look at but there are much more deserving appliances that need restoring.
John L.
Well thankfully this machine isn’t far away, and I might be able to save it. If not, we have free appliance recycling here so at least it won’t cost me much if I can’t restore it.
Couple of weeks?
She may change her mind by then....
She may change her mind by then....
So, apparently the person who was going to pay $500 for this fell through. Now the owner is coming back to me saying it’s mine for free or a “donation.” Although the cabinet doesn’t appear to be in terrible shape, I’m worried about the innards being rusted solid, etc. Would love to hear from anyone if I should go (a little) out of my way to save it. If I do, and it’s worthy of restoration, I won’t get around to it for months or even years. And if anyone thinks it might be worthy of parting out, I’ll get it just for that and send parts for free on this site to those who need them.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Totally worth it!
From what I saw of the original photos, the porcelain finish looked to be in pretty good shape on the washer - front, top, lid. The control panel was in really nice shape, both dials are present with good lettering, etc.
A good scrubbing and there is a chance it would look great. Hopefully that mark along the front edge of the top panel is dirt and not a chip.
Even if the tub and Unimatic mechanism are completely shot, I'd say this is worthy of a donor tub and transmission. Cross member is a possible weak spot too if it sat outside in a yard for an extended amount of time (decades).
Ben
From what I saw of the original photos, the porcelain finish looked to be in pretty good shape on the washer - front, top, lid. The control panel was in really nice shape, both dials are present with good lettering, etc.
A good scrubbing and there is a chance it would look great. Hopefully that mark along the front edge of the top panel is dirt and not a chip.
Even if the tub and Unimatic mechanism are completely shot, I'd say this is worthy of a donor tub and transmission. Cross member is a possible weak spot too if it sat outside in a yard for an extended amount of time (decades).
Ben
Well, here it is...
So my husband and I enjoyed a lovely day in the Bay Area today, and made arrangements to pick this up. Don’t have high hopes, but cosmetically, doesn’t look too bad. Have not unloaded it yet or cleaned it up but wanted to post anyway. My husband John wanted to park it outside and I said I just couldn’t do that since it had been sitting in the elements for who knows how long and deserved to be indoors! So it is in our garage for now, to be moved to the separate pool house/garage/laundry tomorrow.
The machine comes from what was once a lovely mid-century modern home (built 1954) on 1/2 acre in major primo-real estate in the East Bay region of the Bay Area. The home is a tear-down but we could see how lovely it once must have been, along with an originally-equipped Frigidaire kitchen!
A cursory look: the control dials on the washer are frozen (am sure rusted solid), yet the tub moves smoothly and freely in both directions. All the hoses are in need of replacing so this will definitely be a long-term project if I can even bring this thing back to life.
Stay tuned..!
So my husband and I enjoyed a lovely day in the Bay Area today, and made arrangements to pick this up. Don’t have high hopes, but cosmetically, doesn’t look too bad. Have not unloaded it yet or cleaned it up but wanted to post anyway. My husband John wanted to park it outside and I said I just couldn’t do that since it had been sitting in the elements for who knows how long and deserved to be indoors! So it is in our garage for now, to be moved to the separate pool house/garage/laundry tomorrow.
The machine comes from what was once a lovely mid-century modern home (built 1954) on 1/2 acre in major primo-real estate in the East Bay region of the Bay Area. The home is a tear-down but we could see how lovely it once must have been, along with an originally-equipped Frigidaire kitchen!
A cursory look: the control dials on the washer are frozen (am sure rusted solid), yet the tub moves smoothly and freely in both directions. All the hoses are in need of replacing so this will definitely be a long-term project if I can even bring this thing back to life.
Stay tuned..!
Glad you could save it, Todd!! It may indeed be a long-term project but it will be very satisfying to preserve a piece of washer history!
Congratulations Todd, that's a very rare color! Keep us posted.
Congratulations! Now you can get Pulsators and rings from our Master Molder in Atlanta!
Eye bolt
Ah - the eye bolt was used up through '56. Looks perfectly fine!
Todd - this is a great save. The temp switch is actually pretty genius. Rather than use a very custom temp switch to integrate the lid switch (like the '56), they used the same toggle style switch and within the dial there are two reliefs molded to activate the toggle as it is turned in either direction. If it is frozen in place let's hope that it needs a little help to slide off the lid switch shaft. The timer may need some more TLC within the escapement, but i hope the timer box survived the outdoors. And while the tub is pretty dirty there is a good chance it will clean up. Give Bar Keepers a try.
Keep us posted!
Ben
Ah - the eye bolt was used up through '56. Looks perfectly fine!
Todd - this is a great save. The temp switch is actually pretty genius. Rather than use a very custom temp switch to integrate the lid switch (like the '56), they used the same toggle style switch and within the dial there are two reliefs molded to activate the toggle as it is turned in either direction. If it is frozen in place let's hope that it needs a little help to slide off the lid switch shaft. The timer may need some more TLC within the escapement, but i hope the timer box survived the outdoors. And while the tub is pretty dirty there is a good chance it will clean up. Give Bar Keepers a try.
Keep us posted!
Ben
I suspect they used the eye bolt as it is easier to get a grip on from the higher point within the column, rather than use a long extension/socket, and you can use a simple slip joint pliers to loosen or tighten.
It was one less tool (long extension) the techs needed to have on hand when the washer was introduced.
It was one less tool (long extension) the techs needed to have on hand when the washer was introduced.
I wish they'd kept that eye bolt instead of going to the retaining nut that's always a PITA!
Well, although I haven’t had much time to play with this machine, I did loosen up the temp switch and it works fine now...a toggle switch, yet?! The control dial/timer appears to be frozen. Am afraid to manhandle it and not sure whether to take it apart or hope someone out there in automaticwasher.org-land has an extra one kicking around.
I have only had early 70’s Frigidaire washers before — does this ‘54-‘55 model have a bellows like the newer models with which I am familiar? Worried about that but again was encouraged that the tub does hold water without leaking and am hoping that is a good sign. Also that the tub moves freely, am hoping that’s a positive as well.
Bud, am hoping you can work wonders for my machine’s pulsator barring any unforeseen circumstances. I am committed to bringing this machine back to life, even if it takes mine!
Thanks for the supportive posts!
I have only had early 70’s Frigidaire washers before — does this ‘54-‘55 model have a bellows like the newer models with which I am familiar? Worried about that but again was encouraged that the tub does hold water without leaking and am hoping that is a good sign. Also that the tub moves freely, am hoping that’s a positive as well.
Bud, am hoping you can work wonders for my machine’s pulsator barring any unforeseen circumstances. I am committed to bringing this machine back to life, even if it takes mine!
Thanks for the supportive posts!
1955 WV-65
I don't remember if the timer dial knob has a set screw on it, either way it is threaded on to the timer shaft. Verify if a set screw is present; afterwards you should be able to remove the dial by twisting counter clockwise. The dial should then slide off the shaft, and the screws holding the timer in in place may even be visible without removing the escutcheon. It's been a long while since I've worked on a '55 and my memory is a bit fuzzy.
The next step would be to remove the timer and then the three screws holding the escapement to the timer body. If you're able to move the shaft with the escapement removed, you're in a good spot. I may have a spare timer in the parts stash if the timer body is truly shot, or some parts to get things going again. Escapements/motors are much easier to come by.
Your '55 Frigidiare has the earlier D-hole water bellows (all Unimatics/Multimatic/Rollermatic through 1969), but does share the same oils bellow as the 1-18 brethren. It is a good sign that the tub is able to spin in both directions by hand. How clean do things look underneath?
Ben
I don't remember if the timer dial knob has a set screw on it, either way it is threaded on to the timer shaft. Verify if a set screw is present; afterwards you should be able to remove the dial by twisting counter clockwise. The dial should then slide off the shaft, and the screws holding the timer in in place may even be visible without removing the escutcheon. It's been a long while since I've worked on a '55 and my memory is a bit fuzzy.
The next step would be to remove the timer and then the three screws holding the escapement to the timer body. If you're able to move the shaft with the escapement removed, you're in a good spot. I may have a spare timer in the parts stash if the timer body is truly shot, or some parts to get things going again. Escapements/motors are much easier to come by.
Your '55 Frigidiare has the earlier D-hole water bellows (all Unimatics/Multimatic/Rollermatic through 1969), but does share the same oils bellow as the 1-18 brethren. It is a good sign that the tub is able to spin in both directions by hand. How clean do things look underneath?
Ben
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the response. You are correct about how to remove the control dial knob. I did that, sprayed some WD-40 inside, and tried to turn the knob again the next day but to no avail. This poor machine was left to the elements outside for who-knows-how long (albeit in the lovely mild Mediterranean climate of the SF Bay Area), but the guy who owned it took the back cover off the control panel and the main cabinet so it was truly exposed to the elements.
Things look fairly clean underneath, except leveling legs rusted and long gone, motor coils still shiny copper, all the hoses are shot, but I can easily cobble together appropriate hose replacements. And the ungrounded electrical cord is really scary, but easy to replace!
Thanks for the response. You are correct about how to remove the control dial knob. I did that, sprayed some WD-40 inside, and tried to turn the knob again the next day but to no avail. This poor machine was left to the elements outside for who-knows-how long (albeit in the lovely mild Mediterranean climate of the SF Bay Area), but the guy who owned it took the back cover off the control panel and the main cabinet so it was truly exposed to the elements.
Things look fairly clean underneath, except leveling legs rusted and long gone, motor coils still shiny copper, all the hoses are shot, but I can easily cobble together appropriate hose replacements. And the ungrounded electrical cord is really scary, but easy to replace!
