1968 Frigidiare Custom Imperial (Restoration)

[joelippard]

After a long break from working on washers I felt ready to take the plunge again.  Here we have a beautiful 1968 WCIL gifted to me by a fellow club member.  I am working on issues that need addressing slowly as I have time and I will detail my efforts here as they develop, which should be over the next few months.

 

If you will notice the control panel has a turquoise tint to the light.  There are no trick shadows here as I ordered and wrapped the fluorescent tube in a turquoise gel.

 

[joelippard]

Here we have the top disassembled for cleaning and replacement of the dispensers tubes

 

[joelippard]

Here we have our cleaned parts polished up and ready for reassembly.

 

[joelippard]

Got the top off, sealing the balance ring plug and cleaning the tubs.  Notice the grey upper cone transplanted at some point from a coin op machine.  I can change it to a blue one but I like this hybrid setup so I'll be keeping it and add a new blue cap to the top.

[this post was last edited: 2/18/2014-19:43]

 

[joelippard]

Check out all the lint on this outer tub.  I have developed a way of cleaning these without removal with the use of a water hose, hot water, cleansers and various brushes and a shop vac to suck all the junk out from the outer tub.

 

[joelippard]

At this point our top side has been finished and reassembled, there are still a few small cosmetic issues to attend to later on.  Now we'll move on to bigger things.  Ben this photo is for you and I soon hope to get you my other tags for your database.

[this post was last edited: 2/18/2014-19:44]

 

[joelippard]

Bigger issues are now underway.  One big problem with this machine is that the lower bearing is shot, this means disassembly of the mechanism.  Might as well clean the clutch while it's out.  Here are the innards to a rapidry clutch for anyone interested.

 

[joelippard]

Here we have the upper section (braking) of the clutch

 

[joelippard]

Here we have our clean and reassembled clutch with the other various related components ready to be reinstalled.

 

[cornutt]

Nice work

If I have my Frigidaire lore straight, this model is a Rollermatic, is it not?

 

[joelippard]

Here is the high capacity pump with vacuum breaker.  This appears to have the original seal which will be replaced after I finish cleaning up the pump

 

[joelippard]

Here are some finer details of the mechanism showing the overbalance switch attached to the spin tube

 

[joelippard]

Here we have the mechanism almost ready for removal.  Per the tech talk you remove the brace, two motor mounting bolts, spread the aluminum motor casing slightly and attach a puller to remove the mechanism from the shaft.

 

[joelippard]

It's free!

 

[joelippard]

The end of the road for now.  Here is the mechanism removed.  I have removed the bearing and will source a new one soon.  Then the total reassembly process can begin.  I'm hoping this will resolve all issues and I will not need to reopen the top of the machine.  I'll keep posting photos and updates over the next few weeks.

 

[brucelucenta]

Nice machine, I had this washer and the matching dryer. Used them off and on for many years before turning loose of them. It was the only washer and dryer I ever had that the dryer would keep up load for load with the washer, even using the optional second rinse on the washer. They were truly magnificent machines in their time.

 

[philr]

I really like these! 

 

BTW, it's a 1967 model. 

 

[norgeway]

Mothers cousin..

Had these when I was a kid, they were truly wonderful, beyond compare in my book!!

 

[frigilux]

Frigidaire certainly had a flair for console styling back in the day. This one is another beauty, and with a remote dial control, no less. Wonderful!