1956 Duomatic

[mopar65]

Well I figured I would start this post so it's in the right place. Anyway I will keep you all updated on the progress on the Duomatic. I got it all working last night motor works, transmission shifts, dryer heater works so that's a good start but found the real reason why it stopped working long ago. I will pull the magic heater switch out and see if it can be saved.

 

[tomturbomatic]

It will work without the Magic Heater; you just take it out of the circuit.

 

[mopar65]

Run cap

I took the motor/pump/transmission out today and would like to replace the run cap someone replaced it once at some point. I won't to put the right size cap in but this one has a big range and does not seem right. Would someone know what UF it should have?

 

[mopar65]

The water values cleaned up nice and are working now.

 

[gyromatic]

THAT IS THE RIGHT CAP.

That is the cap.for your machine.The original cap.was243-295 MFD.This is the range you need.A cap.either works or it does'nt.If it is not working you will know.The motor will hum and not turn.This is a start cap.only,not a start and run cap.If it works and it is clean with no corrosion on the terminal area put it back in.Make sure you put the cardboard piece in the cover first before you put it all back together.This will keep the cap. firmly in place as not to rattle during a spin.This is a case of ,IF IT'S NOT BROKEN DON'T FIX IT.This is a great machine.And very fixable.Out of all the 6 styles I have of the 53 thru 58 Duomatics I like this one the most.Sometimes the magic heaters go out.One sure way is if for some reason there is no water in the tub.That will destroy it instantly.Keep in mind the tub back and bearings and seal should all be replaced.This is the time to do it.I can give you the order numbers for all that stuff should you decide to do that.Also I can guide you through the bearing replacement process.It is easy,But a little work.Done it at least a dozen times or so.It would be worth your while to do it.Your machine will be in service for years to come!BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR WELL WORTH IT PROJECT!Wish I was closer I could help you get that machine in perfect condition in no time at all.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Nice post Gyromatic...so helpful.

 

[mopar65]

Thank you John E

not a posed to just stuffing it back in I was just thinking for the future.

 

[mopar65]

Well started cleaning the transmission up and found its cracked I didn't see any oil from the cracks though.

 

[gyromatic]

Transmission

Tell me where to send you a new transmission body.I can get it out to you tomorrow.That one cannot be used at all.

 

[moparwash]

Ouch!..

That looks like the Liberty Bell!

 

[mopar65]

John E

Thank you so much! My email is [email protected] send me a massage and I will give you my info.

 

[mopar65]

The funny part is it works lol not for long but it is working some how.

 

[mopar65]

Well one more problem found. I think my brother in law can fix it as he was a welder.

 

[gyromatic]

Classic Issue

This I have seen on a few Duomatics. This problem can be eliminated forever.What caused this is,If you first remove the soap door you will see a small hole.This hole was to allow moisture to drain on the outer cylinder during the dry cycle.I guess they figured that by the time moisture was rising through the soap boot that the cylinder would be hot and it would evaporate.NOT! What happened is it would get the insulation wet.Trapped between the cylinder and the bottom of the heater box.Also a problem is if the soap boot has a tear in it,or it is not sealed in place.To fix this problem.SEAL THE HOLE UP FOREVER.And also make sure when the insulation is replaced.Wire it up so there is an open space between the cylinder and the heat box,so if by chance water gets through it will run past the insulation and not in it.

 

[mopar65]

It was from the soap boot being ripped badly.

 

[mopar65]

The transmission is back together. Thank you John E!

 

[moparwash]

Lookin good!...

 

[hippiedoll]

love the progress

You're making & the attention to the details, and the help & advice you are getting.
)

I can't wait to see you're duomatic when it's all put back together & in service!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you...
;o)

 

[mopar65]

I figured I would give ya guys an up date on the Philco fridge. My brother wanted to keep it. Got these pic's from him last night. He had to custom blend the paint to get it the right shade so it would be the same as a 55 Chevy. Hope you guys like what he did the chrome is off getting redone now.

 

[jetcone]

John is the

expert on Bendix ! My magic heater is dead , I need to go in and replace it with a submersible element. It really boosts the washing power when it is on.

 

I have never seen a split transmission case in all the Bendii I have worked on. That has to be a casting defect! Where did you find this machine Anthony?

 

Anytime you and your partner want to come out and play with my '56 you are most welcome.

 

That Philco fridge will be stunning for sure!

 

[mopar65]

I think the Cal rod is ok in this Duomatic but just not working because of the switch being bad. I think you are right I cant see how that could have happened with no other faults to be found. It came from IN. If you weren't so far and not so much going on here we would love to! All this wedding planning/getting things reedy is about to make me pull my hair out lol thank God the boy is doing most of it.

 

[mopar65]

A little progress today

Got the basket out. That's a lot of lint.

 

[jetcone]

Pretty standard

lint packing I mean. The sump looks really good ! Boy you're gasket is beat to the band isn't it!!
I think that's original as it has a greenish tint to the rubber, JohnE would know for sure.

 

But when you are done you are gonna have some clean clothes !!

 

 

Cheers

 

Jet

 

 

 

 

 

[mopar65]

Well as you can see the shaft seal was leaking at one time.

 

[mopar65]

This Duomatic was used hard and literally put away wet.

 

[vacerator]

Moparguy's, Anthony,

Excellent work!!

 

[delaneymeegan]

 

 

Slow but steady wins the race.  Work on it when you want to, everything goes easier, and when it's done you'll remember it that way.

 

[gyromatic]

NU-PORCE

Glad to see that you took the tub back and cylinder off.I see that there are some rust issues in the tub.This is due to the water that was standing in the tub for who knows how long.The best way to deal with this is clean it perfectly,take it outside use Brillo pads.Rinse good with garden hose.Now for the rust.A wire brush will work well.Get it as clean as you can.With rubbing alcohol and a rag clean those areas again.You can get Nu-Porce at a hardware store or on line.It comes in 2 small bottles you mix together.This works well.I had a few small areas to touch up on my 58 15 some years ago.And when I changed the bearings on it a while back the touch ups looked like I did them yesterday.Hope it is just surface rust in those areas as those are huge pressure points on that machine.And the bearing seal did not leak at one time, it leaked the last time.Bearings in this machine are more than likely original.I would bet this is not a repair that was common in the 50s.The machine just got shoved in the corner of the basement where we are finding them today.As long as you have the machine apart you may as well go all the way with it.I can give you the info if you want to replace these parts.I would do it.

 

[jetcone]

JOhn

do you think those rust spots in the sump are about the shock/motor brackets??

 

 

[mopar65]

I will clean it up a little bit so you can see it better. This kinda rust I'm ok with I'm normally dealing with cars that have holes the size of a persons arm.