1955 Frigidaire washer free in Pleasant Hill near San Francisco
- Thread starter rapidry1000
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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!
hippiedoll
Well-known member
GREAT SAVE
Washerlover/Todd!
That is a really nice color. I hope you can get this Frigidaire up & running!
Keep us posted on your progress!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
D
Washerlover/Todd!
That is a really nice color. I hope you can get this Frigidaire up & running!
Keep us posted on your progress!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
D
pumper
Well-known member
Plug it in! Plug it in!
Frigidaire
Frigidaire
I’m glad you got it it’ll have a good home in Lake County
Rob
Frigidaire
I’m glad you got it it’ll have a good home in Lake County
Rob
Nice find Todd!
That’s a stellar color. Once you have the timer free of knobs or out of the machine I’d get some “Tufoil” and start dropping it down the shaft both ends of the timer box. Let it soak for days a drop a day , keep trying to turn the shaft but dont force at all. In a week or more you may free it up again and the timer can be disassembled and cleaned and should work.
That’s a stellar color. Once you have the timer free of knobs or out of the machine I’d get some “Tufoil” and start dropping it down the shaft both ends of the timer box. Let it soak for days a drop a day , keep trying to turn the shaft but dont force at all. In a week or more you may free it up again and the timer can be disassembled and cleaned and should work.
Hi Jon, haven’t had any time to play with this machine much yet, but will definitely take your “Tufoil” advice and see what happens..! I sprayed WD-40 in/around the timer box but that’s it. Haven’t forced the timer dial at all and still frozen. The temp dial works fine now. Slow but sure..!
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