1969 Malleys Whirlpool Washer

[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.
)

 

[mit634]

@hippiedoll - thank you so much and for sharing your memories. They sound like great times !
Tim

 

[mit634]

Can anyone suggest where I can buy the rubber balls for the suspension rods of a Whirlpool / Kenmore washer ?

Ideally also the tub cap rubber seal for a 24" machine although I realize that might be close to impossible.

Regards,
Tim

 

[washerlover]

Hi Tim, thanks for the Impala photos! I need a bowl to catch my drool over such a beautiful automobile!

Looking forward to hearing more of your progress with the Malleys Whirlpool...

 

[mit634]

Hi All,

I have made good progress on the washer restoration.

Unable to source a replacement agitator shaft I have repaired the original by machining out the old corroded section, filling with a shaft repair compound and then remachining to the original profile.

Otherwise lots of cleaning, rust treatment, painting and happily some REASSEMBLY have also occurred.

@washerlover - thanks for your note Todd. Glad you like the car !

Regards, Tim

 

[mit634]

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[mit634]

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[mit634]

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[mit634]

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[mit634]

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