1968 Frigidiare Custom Imperial (Restoration)

[dnastrau]

RBC Nice is still in business

Hi Joe:

 

As I posted this morning, RBC Nice is still in business.  Maybe they can still provide this bearing since they made the original one.

 

That would be a lot easier than trying to make something else fit.

 

My apologies if you already saw my first post on this.

 

Andrew S.

http://www.rbcbearings.com/ballbearings/index.htm?wvsessionid=wvbf1a12cf97d04d5db4cc98f3151c249d

 

[joelippard]

Phil, that's good to know and makes sense that they would use that type up top.  If I wind up having to open my top end up I'll certainly detail that in photos also.  Thanks!

 

[philr]

Joe and Ben,

 

I got a reply from the place in the UK and transferred it to both of you.

It might be a bit expensive with the shipping... (or there's the option to try those NOS bearings with similar numbers on eBay). I don't know how important it is to have the same type of lubricant for the bearing either.  

Also, I'm still waiting for a reply from guy from SKF Canada to see if he has something else to offer, his first suggestion was to modify the shaft so it fits the 20mm bearing (but that can't be done)...

 

 

 

 

[joelippard]

Waiting for the paint to dry...

A quick update, still waiting for the 21mm bearing to arrive and try it out.  Today is one of those days where I could get a lot done if I had the part, and I'm itching to do so...   Today I repainted the snubber brace and rear service cover panel.  I got a feeling when done this will be something of true greatness!

 

[joelippard]

An Update

Still nothing happening here.  I am awaiting the .21mm bearing to arrive, it apparently has been back ordered and is coming from China.  I spoke with a man in California recommended to me by fellow member djones but he says he cannot locate the part but will keep trying.

 

At this point I'm at a standstill unless someone here has a NOS bearing they'd like to sell me.

 

[dnastrau]

RBC Nice is still in business - might be worth a call

In reply #60 above, I posted the link to RBC Nice who I believe you said made the original bearing.  It might be worth contacting them to see if they can supply a replacement.

 

Good luck getting this straightened out - I hope you will be able to find a bearing that will work.

 

Andrew S.

 

[joelippard]

Thanks guys! I spoke with RBC/NICE today, and they were most kind and helpful. They are going to have their engineer (who has been there a long time) check into it and get back to me. They even told me that if they could not help they would refer me to someone who possibly could.

 

[dnastrau]

Great news!

Glad to hear it!  Fingers crossed...

 

Andrew S.

 

[joelippard]

Still no luck, RBC was helpful but cannot find anything.  Still at a stopping point while I work on other things...

 

[mickeyd]

That is such such such an absolutely beautiful washing machine and so flexible and capable. A flawless performer and the envy of any Frigidarian. How I would love love love to have one.

 

[dnastrau]

Sorry to hear that

Too bad - hopefully an NOS bearing will turn up - or a way to make something else work.

 

[joelippard]

Another Update

I have had absolutely zero luck in finding a replacement bearing that I feel will work properly.  A light bulb went off and I remembered a spare mechanism that I had way back in my parts collection.  I removed the bearing from it and found it to be in good condition.  As an aid and precaution I performed a oil submersion in a sealed hot water bath to re-lubricate the bearing without breaking the seals.  This process took care of some of the dryness I could feel in it.

 

Tomorrow I am off work so the beginnings of the re-assembly process will begin.  I'm shooting for a month or less to get this machine fully restored.

 

I'm still going to continue looking for a good replacement bearing for future use with the hope that I never need to use them.

 

[d-jones]

Let me remind you that the original bearing is availabe here in the L.A. area. It isn't cheap, but at least it's the right bearing.

 

[joelippard]

RE: let me remind you.

Hey man, I called them and they said they could not locate it.  If you have a contact there and they can get it I'm glad to buy it.

 

[d-jones]

I wonder if Mr. Miller(the parts guy) is being cranky again. I'll call him tomorrow and see what he has to say.

 

[joelippard]

He seemed very pleasant when I spoke with him, even said he would call me if they could locate.  Please do call for me if you don't mind.  I'm glad to buy directly from them or if you want to get it I'll mail you a check.  Thanks David!

 

[d-jones]

OK Joe, I just got back from visiting Larry. It turns out that he'd forgotten where he'd found that bearing, so when he went looking for it again he didn't call the place in Mission Hills that said they had it a few weeks ago. This time he gave me the contact info for them to pass on to you, so check your inbox. I just hope this doesn't turn into a wild goose chase.

 

[joelippard]

Thanks so much David, I got your PM and I'll call them tomorrow after they open.  Today I spent the day buttoning up and got more done than I expected.  The bearing I did the water/oil bath on feels very good and sounds good too in the machine.  Tomorrow evening I'll water test the pump before I move on to other small cosmetic items.  Here is a picture of the cleaned and restored mechanism.

 

[joelippard]

More news

Passed the water test and everything else is good except...  We've got clutch issues, it seems it preferred being dirty because it doesn't want to slip and acts as if it were an impact clutch.  I adjusted the tension down to the lowest setting with only slight improvement.  Agitation under load is good so I know it's not the motor.  The clutch is so sticky that it's throwing the overload protection.  My plan?  I'm going to dirty the clutch up a bit with some dry graphite blown up through the adjustment holes, I think this will correct things.  I certainly I hope I don't have to remove the clutch again because this means undoing the pump.

 

[joelippard]

We're still all in one piece

I was able to get the clutch loosened and functioning properly with a method I'd never have recommended to anyone to use.  Sometimes you just got to go with what works.  I'm still doing some final testing over the next few days to make the machine prove it's worth to me before it gets a final cleanup and goes into place.  I think I'm closer though to completing the project.