1959 Whirlpool dryer, help needed on blower

[akronman]

The blower was turning only with a strong hand, the belt sure wasn't turning it at all. 1st pic is the 2 plate blower assy, 2nd pic is the bearing block that fits on the shaft between the 2 plates. Is the top of that block purely a huge wick for turbine oil? And check out the shaft in pic 3, it has a groove that spindles down it, I never noticed when I first took this apart 4 years ago or so.

I got some oil down the shaft before I disassembled and it turned better BY HAND, but I tore the whole thing apart because it wasn't spinning freely enough to trust yet back on the dryer.

Do I just oil the wick to hell, re-assemble and check in a few days before putting the whole blower assy back on the machine?

Thanks in advance, and some day I hope to get a camera near the pilot to film how it lights its own pilot at the start of the cycle.

 

[maytag85]

Turbine oil might work but I’d use something like motor/engine oil to lubricate the bearing and shaft and I used motor oil to oil the drum bearing and blower/fan shaft and never had any issues with it making noise or binding up

 

[combo52]

Freeing Up A Tight Blower Bearing

Hi Mark, just clean up the shaft and bearings and soak the felt wick with light turban oil.

 

Do Not use 15-40 weight detergent motor oil, this will gum up much faster and is too heavy for a shaft that turns at almost 2000 RPMs.

 

15-40 oil might work for the idler pulley bearing that turns much slower, but even there a good non-detergent grease is better.

 

If the blower bearing is really shot let me know as I have several good used ones that I could send you.

 

John L.

 

[akronman]

All better

I oiled up the big wick before work, it was thirsty as hell. After work, I wiped down the spindle and reassembled everything, it's dried 2 loads of clothes smoothly and more quietly than before. I used light turbine oil, I think anything heavier would have had absorption problems into that wick. Now that it's back together, I know that round hole is for getting an oil can in there WITHOUT taking it all apart. I'll know next time. I also installed a new belt, I bought it when this problem started and I wans't sure of the problem.
I don't know if I can ever fit my iPhone in there to film the pilot light sequence, damn tight fit right near flames.
Thanks Guys!
John, I also have a Kenmore 1959 electric dryer that's working wonderfully. Instead of shipping a bearing, let's remember one on your truck next time through Cleveland--with 2 similar driers, a spare won't hurt.
Thanks
Mark

 

[repairguy]

Congrats on getting your dryer running smoothly again. You mean to tell me iPhones aren’t fireproof yet??