1969 Malleys Whirlpool Washer

[mit634]

Hello Guys,

I purchased the Malleys Whirlpool push-button automatic washer that had photos posted on here a few weeks ago - a nice addition to our eclectic collection of vintage appliances. There is a handwritten date on the back indicating it was purchased in 1969.

I have attached some photos taken since it arrived.

Unfortunately the right-hand side control panel chrome end cap is missing. Does anyone know if this part is shared with a US Whirlpool washer ? Photo of the left-hand side included.

Tim

 

[imperial70]

switches on back of dashboard

Appears to be some switches on the back of the dashboard. What do they do?

 

[mit634]

Hello imperial70,
The two switches at right are to turn the internal water heater on or off, and to change the rinse temperature to cold or warm. The red button at left is the motor overload reset.
Regards, Tim

 

[eurekastar]

Very nice!  What a feature rich washer!

 

[corvairgeek]

I spy a '59

Next to the '69. Would love to know more. RHD?

 

[combo52]

Very cool WP 24" washer

I love these smaller models, in the US they had a few highly featured 24" models but never any this fancy with a 3 speed motor and all programed cycles. I would love to find one of these here in the US [ very unlikely ]

 

Unfortunately the missing end cap trim does not look like any WP ever used here, hopefully one will turn up there.

 

John L.

 

[mit634]

Eurekastar - Thank you ! It was a top of the line Whirlpool washer here in Australia.

CorvairGeek - I imported the 59 Impala from Boise ID about 10 years ago. Still LHD as it doesn't need to be converted here.

John L. - Thanks for your advice. Looks as though I will need to find another end cap or make one.

***

We started disassembly for restoration today. Disconnected and removed the control panel, cabinet top and drum cap. No serious rust so far which is a relief. Photos attached.

Got a little stuck with how to get the agitator out. Could someone advise ?

Thanks all ! Regards, Tim

 

[eurekastar]

By the way,

is that the rear end of a Chevy Impala that I'm seeing in the first photo?

 

[hippiedoll]

Eurekastar:

YUP...
That is the rearend of a 1959 impala that looks to be winking at us in that first picture! Doesn't it?
;o)

 

[washerlover]

Left-Hand Lid...

Interesting that the lid opens from the left. What a stunning machine! And love the ‘59 Impala! More pics of that would be fun.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[DADoES]

 
The lid is reversible ... note the screw-hole plugs on the other side of the loading port.

WP didn't have any auto-setting pushbutton-timer models on the U.S. market in 1969.  It's always fascinating to see what was in other areas.

 

[chaskelljr2]

Control Panel/Dashboard...

@ mit634:

I also take it that the control panel is also lighted?

Typically, TOL Washers from that era usually had illuminated control panels.

Here in the US, TOL Washers from Whirlpool and the Lady Kenmores certainly did.

But I’ve never seen a fully featured 24” All-Push-Button Whirlpool Washer before (at least, not here in the USA before).

That is a stunning machine.

Hope you can share a video of it working soon once you get it working again.

Did you ever see a matching dryer to it as well?

—Charles—

 

[mit634]

Eurekastar, Hippiedoll, Todd: will post some pics of the 59 Impala soon !

Todd, DADoES: sideways opening lids were common here at that time. I assume it was a design fad - maybe so that the controls were accessible with the lid in the raised position ?

***

I disassembled , cleaned and tested the bleach and fabric softener dispenser today. One solenoid was sticking but I freed it up. Photo of the test rig attached.

Also the centre pin of the snubber got broken when the washer was transported. I machined a new pin from steel, bored out the snubber and glued in the new pin.

 

[DADoES]

 
Surprising to me the snubber isn't worn down.  Our 1962 had that style of material, it wore down a good 1/4" in 10-ish years, and at an angle from the spring pressure.

 

[combo52]

Removing stuck agitator

Spray some penetrating oil at the top of the agitator and then take the palm of your hand and pound down on the sides and skirt of the agitator that usually loosens this type up you could also try dumping boiling water over it and then doing the same with the palm of your hand.

John

 

[mielerod69]

Congrats

Hi mit634,
Glad you got it. I had posted this machine here last month. Would be great to see some videos of the machine in action once you have it up and running.
Cheers
Rod

 

[mit634]

@chaskelljr2: Charles disappointingly the control panel does not light up. It's shaped as though there could be a diffuser with lamp behind, however, it's all solid aluminium. I don't believe many of the machines available in Australia had the gorgeous illuminated panels your US machines had (even TOLs like this one). I haven't seen a matching dryer yet but always looking ! I will definitely post a video once it's rebuilt and working.

@dadoes: I have the impression this machine has not had a huge amount of use which might explain why the snubber (and the machine generally) is in pretty good condition.

@combo52: John thanks for the tips on how to remove the stuck agitator. Will have another go at the weekend.

@mielerod69: Rod yes I saw you posted those pics. Was funny to see it on this forum before I got around to posting ! Will make some videos once it's up and running.

***

As requested by a few of you, attached are some pics of our 59 Chevy Impala. Enjoy !
Tim

 

[toploader55]

My Gawd...

What a Beautiful Mint Impala. I love everything about that model. Is that add on Air Conditioning ? I have seen under dash add ons but not like that configuration.

And nice Washer too : )

 

[vacerator]

Impala is gorgeous!

Did you it from someone who imported it from Canada, or the sates, as it is left hand drive. Or did you? Holden assembled US/Canadian GM cars from CKD kits back then, and were right hand drive, at least I thought so.
1965 Pontiacs from Canada didn't even get a Pontiac dash board or I.P. They came with a Chevrolet dash. Canadian Pontiac's also got Chevrolet V8's, not Pontiac mills.

 

[corvairgeek]

Dealer Installed Air

Looks like a dealer installed (actual GM kits) 'Cool Pack' A/C unit. They were actually good units with GM parts under the hood, instead of some of cobbled up, aftermarket units. A '60 would have used the A5 compressor, which used hot gas bypass for freeze up control on factory A/C cars. Not sure if a '60 Cool Pack did, or if it cycled like the '62 and later A6 compressor.

 

[circlew]

A beautiful '59 Impala. Several neighbors and friends of our family had them, both in sedans and wagons.

From what I've heard, the Canadian Pontiac models for many years were actually Chevrolets underneath, with special sheet metal to look like US Pontiacs. However, the body parts are not interchangeable with US Pontiac models.

 

[strongenough78]

Can you post up a few pics of the engine please? Gorgeous car!!

 

[mit634]

@toploader55: It's a genuine Chevrolet Cool Pack air conditioner. It's one of the best car air conditioning systems I have ever experienced in terms of air flow and coldness.

@corvairgeek: It does use the Frigidaire A5 compressor and hot gas bypass valve to effect temperature control and prevent evaporator freeze-up.

@vacerator: We imported it from Idaho about 10 years ago. It doesn't need to be converted to RHD as it's so old. In 1959 Holden did import cars CKD from Canada which were RHD. I have seen pictures of an Australian Pontiac of the era with the Chevy dash you mention.

@circlew: Thank you! It sounds as though the Canadian cars of the era (and those exported) were an "economised" version of the amazing cars that were being designed and build in the USA. We are glad we got a true US-built car with all their features and style.

@strongenough78: Thanks! I will get some pics of the engine. Be warned that it's a six !

 

[mayfan69]

Nice Whirlpool

Hi Tim,

 

It's a lovely Whirlpool: is it a 1500?

 

All push button machines are always great to have!

 

Cheers

Leon

 

[strongenough78]

Tim, lol thanks for the warning. Those old 6's were good engines. Is the A/C still the old R12 system?

 

[corvairgeek]

Austrailian Refrigerant Importation

Sadly, R12 cars must be evacuated and recovered for importation, IIRC.
Since the OP says it works great, I will assume that the system is now running on HC / Propane. Works fantastic, but illegal in many states in the US.

 

[mit634]

@mayfan69: Thanks Leon. It's my first vintage washer so I'm quite smitten. And yes it is a 1500. I'm looking forward to having it all restored, running and putting it to work.

@strongenough78: Vern here are some pics of the engine bay and original Frigidaire A5 compressor and hot gas bypass valve.

The car is somewhat of an enigma as the lady who bought it new ordered a TOL Impala with a hardtop and sporty red on white two-tone color scheme, yet ordered the base Blue Flame Six engine with stick shift transmission (with overdrive I should add).

@corvairgeek: Yes it's running hydrocarbon refrigerant and you're right that cars have to have the R12 removed before importation.

It bemuses me the amount of scaremongering that accompanies the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants in cars and home appliances. I believe the positives vastly outweigh the negatives. I also love hydrocarbon refrigerants because I can buy and use them without any controls (at least for now) whereas for the synthetic refrigerants I would need a licence.

***

Back on topic - still no luck getting the agitator out of the Whirlpool. I tried thumping, whacking, pulling, even boiling water. I have added more penetrating oil and will let it sit for another week.

 

[corvairgeek]

Thanks for the pics

Love seeing them!

 

[mit634]

Hello everyone,

I got back to stripping down the washer this weekend. It was a challenge as it clearly decided it wasn't going to come apart without a fight.

I made many attempts to get the agitator off and finally succeeded by wrapping its top with a rag and soaking the rag with boiling water. Then I used Winbags to get some serious and constant pressure under its base. When it finally popped off it flew about 3ft into the air. Fortunately no damage to it or me.

I screwed a bolt into the agitator shaft top and used my gear puller to remove the agitator drive block. Interestingly the thread in the top of the agitator shaft is 5/16" BSF. Some other bolts on the washer are Whitworth, and so it appears it was made with a mixture of American and British bolt types.

The basket nut came loose without too much difficulty (the only thing that did). The basket itself required my partner to pull up on the rim while I tapped sharply on the drive block in order to get it loose.

After removing hoses and sensors from the outer tub, I removed the four screws holding it to the base plate. Again it took a lot of pushing and shoving to get it to come loose.

I then detached the motor, suds saver valve, pump and magic clean filter. The hose tails of the suds saver valve crumbled into powder as I removed the hoses. Clearly the pot metal it was made of did not like years of sitting in water and detergent. Fortunately I found a replacement valve assembly on Ebay.

The gearbox and agitator shaft came out after some persuasion. The spin tube, clutch and pulley assembly required serious pounding. I managed to get the spin tube bushes out with my bearing puller although required substantial force.

Finally, I removed the base plate and suspension rods and so the cabinet is now completely stripped and ready to be cleaned, rust treated and painted.

I would like to thank whoever (Ultramatic perhaps ?) created the 57 Kenmore restoration pictorial on this site as it was extremely helpful.

I have a few questions I hope you can all help with:

1. Can you buy anywhere the rubber balls that go on the suspension rod ends ? Also the tub top cap rubber seal for a 24" machine ?

2. When I removed the spin tube, a quantity of oil (approx 1oz) dribbled out. Should this oil have been there ? If so, what type should I replace it with and where is it best to put it in relation to the two bushes ?

Thanks so much everyone.
Regards,
Tim

 

[hippiedoll]

Oooow...

Mit634:

Love the '59 Impala!

My mom & dad each had '59 Chevrolets cars when they were dating (one I believe was an Impala & the other could of been a Belair?). One of my aunts had a '59 station wagon. I remember that one because I was really little when she had that. I just remember it was a light-medium metallic blue color. And she must of taken me & my cousins somewhere (store?). When we got to the house, she sat me on the passenger side, rear "wing".
That's all I remember
/

Thanks for sharing pictures of your beautiful '59 Chevrolet Impala.
)