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!

 

[joelippard]

Thanks Phil for letting me know it's a 67.  I was unable to date it on the appliance 411 website because it gave me a range of 68-83 which I knew was not correct past 69.

 

[philr]

Joe,

 

It could have been made in 1966 too but it's a 1967 model. The "L" in the model number tells it. "K" is 1966, "N" is for 1968-70 and "S" is 1971-72... 

 

[joelippard]

Back at it.

Here is today's work, a partial reinstall of the mechanism and wiring.  New gasket cut for pump and new seals in place.  Having trouble sourcing a bearing, Grainger ordered one but the outer diameter was wrong, went to a local bearing shop and they gave me what they thought would work, said it may be a little tight.  Well the tolerances on this don't allow for anything even remotely too small on the inner diameter.  I'll be going back to visit them tomorrow.  Suggestions from people who have done this before or who know a lot more than me are certainly appreciated and respected as I navigate this process.

 

[retromania]

Love the washer!

 

[swestoyz]

I'm sure Phil will chime in, but I think he mentioned that the lower bearing was not a standard size.  What was the MFG number on the bearing? 

 

Original part number was 7524183.

 

Ben

 

[joelippard]

Hi Ben,   On each side it simply says NICE   PHILA   USA   I would assume this is the NICE bearing company in Philadelphia.  I don't imagine it's standard either.  Grainger said they probably could get it but to try Bearing Distributors.  I mentioned to them having a new one made custom, I also considered that it could be rebuilt.

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Joe,

 

I have my suspicions on Grainger being able to get the bearing, as well as most MRO businesses (MSC, McMaster, etc.).  When you went to the local distributor, did they indicate what the following sizes were?  Bore diameter (ID), the outside diameter, and the width? 

 

Ben

 

[ovrphil]

Photo breakout excellent and re: Reply #18

Though I'm lost in the jargon, the breakdown and accompanying photos are great - and I'll second Frigilux's comment in reply #18. Very nice looking machine.

 

[joelippard]

Ben, they did measure it with calipers but I don't have those numbers, they say the outer is metric.  Grainger did get one in with the proper inner diameter.  I suppose if it came down to it I could make a surround to compensate but with this being a rapidry machine that bearing is going to get a workout.

 

Thanks ovrphil for the compliments.  I am purposely being detailed about this for the forum archives, hopefully someone else will be helped by it someday.

 

[swestoyz]

Joe - your findings are similar to what Phil mentioned to me in a PM.  He said that the outer diameter was metric but the bore diameter was a standard size.  Odd that GM would spec a bearing that could have been easily fitted in a casing that could have been sized accordingly.

 

Did you grab the PN/SKU of the bearing that Grainger originally sold you?   Phil had found a possible replacement with an NDH number of 77504CJ.  If you drop the CJ that crosses to a 6204ZZ, but we'd still need to know what the sizes are to see if something matches up.

 

EDIT - the 6204ZZ translates into a 20MM bore/ID, x 47MM outer diameter, and a 14MM Width, double shielded.  Grainger PN for the shielded for NTN is a 1L017, and the sealed version was a 6L026.  I'm wondering how far off the original outer diameter is from 47MM.

 

Ben

[this post was last edited: 2/20/2014-20:37]

 

[joelippard]

Ben, here is a link to what they got in.  I never bought it from them.  I paid the local bearing shop $3 for the one they sold me but the bore is definitely not correct.

http://www.grainger.com/product/[email protected]&RIID=23947099&SG=4