1964 Frigidaire running again, sort of?

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abcomatic

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Feb 16, 2006
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HI Everyone, I have the 1964 Frigidaire Custom Deluxe running once again. The pump,water inlet valves and spin are wonderful. The only problem is that when it starts to agitate, the tub starts to index as if it were spinning. I can hold on to the tub and it works fine, let go and it starts to take off. When it spins there is a bit of a ticking sound. My question is: What is going on with this and what has to be done to correct it? I am not much of a mechanic so all of your ideas are helpful. Thanks, Gary
 
Gary for the 1964 line Frigidaire used the Mutli-matic transmission but towards the end of the production run used the Roller-matic transmission. Each one is completely different and we would need to know which transmission you have. Unfortunately the problem you describe will most likely require major service and a new part or two.
 
HI everyone

Thanks for the news. The agitator that I have looks like the one in the picture above. Energy ring (rubber)? and blue and green rings on the barrel. I must have the Multi-matic transmission then? Now what do I do and where are parts available? Thanks,
 
Just to be sure...

Open up the lower back service panel and look inside. If you see 2 belts you have a multimatic transmission. If you see no belts at all you have a rollermatic.

Best of luck!
 
Hi Gary, the very first thing you are going to need to do is study the makeup of the Mutli-matic mechanism. I caution you that the symptoms you describe will require a major transmission repair.

The service manual describes those symptoms as: If washer agitates and spins during wash period:
Wobble plate or agitator shaft bearing tight or binding.
Worn brake lining.
Broken brake torque spring.
Brake tension clip missing or weak tension on clip.


If I would have to guess I would guess that it's a Broken brake torque spring, but that is just a guess and it could be something else. Of course it might be something as simple as the oil is gone and making the wobble plate bind. Then you just have to refill the transmission. But I highly doubt its going to be that simple.

I don't have the 1964 Frigidaire washer repair manual on Automatic Ephemera yet. I can try and get that done in a week or so, after I get my next round of postings made on Ephemera early next week. You can download the 1962 washer manual if you haven't already as it will be a good reading and its close to what you will be dealing with.

The other problem is parts. They are simply not easily found. But that can be dealt with after you figure out what is wrong.
 
Thanks Robert

Thanks Robert for your help, I had a guy look at the washer on Friday. His father had the Frigidaire dealership in Toulon, Il. When he was here, he put the new reset switch in and took the black bottom plate off of the bottom of the machine. There are 2 springs in the center there and a bronze plate that has grooves in it, is the best way that I can explain it. He told me to clean that plate or bearing or whatever it is so that there isn't any grease on it. I did that and he put it all back together. Those 2 springs were in good condition and not broken. Is that what you are talking about? Thanks, Gary
 
Oh no Gary, that's not even close. What you are talking about is on the outside of the mechanism. The brake spring I'm referring to is deep inside the transmission and they are very different.

The whole mechanism needs to be drained of oil, then the transmission completely taken apart to reach that brake spring.
 
Thanks Robert

Oh no, I will have to call him back to take things apart. Just for fun I did a load of laundry tonight. When it was washing and rinsing, I held the tub from indexing. lol I have never used a Frigidaire before. The cap on top of the agitator is missing so was real splashy and a real sudsy wash too. As a result, real clean clothes and dry too. Loved the 2nd. speed in the final spin. I can't wait to be able to use this for a daily driver. Gary
 
Is there any company out there that will overhaul one of these transmissions or sells swap out rebuilt ones?

Unfortunately not, at least not that I've ever heard of. There are very few people left on this earth that have ever worked on a Multimatic.
 
HI Robert

HI there, The washer was working just fine when it was disconnected a few years back. Perhaps I should check on the oil level in the transmission. Where do I do that and what weight oil should I add if it needs it? Thanks, Gary
 
Gary let me scan the service manual for you so you an have all the information you need. I will work on that next week. Then if you have question we will be able to answer them from there, it will make things easier for everyone.
 
I recently repaired the transmission in my 1964 Frigidaire single speed Deluxe Multimatic. The hardest thing was to find some of the parts for it but reassembly of this transmission is also a bit tricky. Be sure to have the service manual if you do it. I have one that I haven't scanned yet. 

 

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