1970's Aussie Westinghouse Laundromat

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mayfan69

mayfan69

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Oct 17, 2005
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Location
Brisbane Queensland Australia
I found this Westinghouse on the kerbside ready to be thrown out last sunday. Not entirely sure what's wrong with at the moment,but thought it needed rescuing. Temperature button cluster needs fixing. Not sure of the exact date of this machine: my guess is late 60's or early 70's.

One question for those of you who have worked on them: How does one test to see if the gearbox has seized? Does the agitator have any "give" in it even when stationary?

Leon

4-5-2006-04-45-16--mayfan69.jpg
 
Similar to Mum's

Hi Leon,
You have certainly bought back memories for me as my dear Mum used to have a model very, very similar to this in the 70's in fact the only difference I can see here is that her model did not have the built-in heater and the cycle selector was a round pull out knob not a key-shaped one as this one has, however everything else is exactly the same as hers, with the lint filter positioned just above the washtub the famous Westinghouse "Spiral Ramp Agitator",and the doubkle wash action in which you will find the washtub rotates in the opposite direction to the agitator strokes.
You are stretching my memory here, but I remember when playing with it(secretly of course!) whenever I tried to move the agitator around when the washer was not in use, it was a bit difficult to twist.
Hope this is of some help to you and thanks for the memories you know Mum really loved that washer it was always her favourite.
Cheers.
Steve.
 
Top of the line model i think Steve

Hi Steve,

Glad i could help bring back some memories. I remember this model as a kid myself, my wealthy relatives had one. I have never actually seen one in action....once i'm able to see it working it should be interesting. I can't test it until i have replaced the power cord that some idiot cut off because they wanted the copper out of it!

Thanks for the tip about the agitator...that helps.

Leon
 
Checking

Hi Leon

Another interesting find, you guys are finding treasure troves at the moment....long may it continue..

The way I check the Hotpoint TL machines is to turn the pully on the gearbox and either get someone to check the agi is turning etc..or mark a position on the agi with bluetack and see if it moves...

This machine certainly looks TOL and offers everything you need. Would the spin be about 650rpm??

I see from your profile you have a 1975 Wilkins Service International 506 series top loader, could you post a pic for us please, would love to see this machine.

I`ve posted a link to the servis top loader album, can you remember this one being sold in Aus??

A great find , Mike

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ch...g.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chestermikeuk/my_photos
 
Congratulations on a good find! Those old brutes were great washing action. Love the ability to heat the water, an option I think would have been appreciated here in the U.S.----at least by me. Does it have a locking lid?
 
Oh My God.....

I'd love to know who and how these machines were constructed/assembled. I would bet my bottom dollar that this Aussie Westinghouse is sporting a c. 1961-1962 General Electic Timer knob. Unless of course this is the result of a bad repair job.

4-5-2006-07-36-36--bajaespuma.jpg
 
Some Wilkins Servis info Mike & Gyrafoam

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the tip about the agitator...will try that one. I'm not sure about the spin speed,but if memory serves, it would be about that.

It is quite ironic that you have asked me about the Wilkins Servis 506, as i was checking out your profile and albums and was going to ask you about the "Mark 22" you're looking for! I was going to ask what you know about the "Mark 22" as i recently found an advert in a 1968 Australian "New Idea" women's mag about this machine and how it had just gone on sale in June 1968. If you are interested, i can always photocopy the ad and send to you? I can't recall either the "Mark 22" or "Mark 41" on sale in Oz...BUT..i did see one of these machines in a Wilkins Servis mechanics yard about 10 years ago. I was told it was a good machine, but difficult to service, so they were not on sale in Aus for too long before being replaced by the "500" series. Have you ever come across either of these machines in the UK so far??

As for the "500 Series", ive posted a link to a previous thread about this machine, you'll see they are basically Australian built Maytags. The last 500 series came with Stainless Steel Bowls which i am still trying to find an example of.

Gyrafoam: Yes...the machine has the locking lid.

Cheers
Leon

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2006/4369x18.htm
 
Wow Leon, congrats!! That Aussie Westinghouse is very neat...of course Westinghouse TL's are my absolute favorites!! When it said "Laundromat" I almost thought it was a front-loader; were Westinghouse FL's produced much in Australia?

When you get it running, you'll LOVE that ramp agitator! The turnover and working capacity even surpasses some non-indexing tub machines!!!

Thanks for the picture of the mechanical workings...the tranny reminds me of a GE, but with a Maytag-style suspension!

--Austin
 
Jason,

I don't think this "Email" is pronounced the way it is spelled...I believe it is more like "Eyy-mye" (long A sound).
 
Hey Westy!

Hey Austin,

I thought you'd like it. Actually....are you able to answer the question about if the agitator does not have any "give" when the machine is not in use?

I really can't recall many Westinghouse front loaders being produced here in Oz...but i could be mistaken. Westinghouse focused mainly on the Top loaders, but i have seen adverts for the front loaders.

"Email"....Yes...it was an appliance manufacturer until Electrolux took them over. They made Westinghouse and later Simpson AND Hoover washers here in Oz.

Leon
 
Hi Leon,

The agitator does not have any "give" or free-wheel when the machine is off. The tub, however, should turn freely when you try to turn the agitator counterclockwise, since Westinghouse TL's (with the exception of the very early 60's US machines made by Easy) are indexing-tub machines and aren't equipped with a spin brake.

Your machine doesn't look like it's in bad shape, so I doubt there are any serious mechanical problems. The only way to find out though is to plug it in and give it a try!

--Austin
 
Thanks Austin

Thanks for that Austin,

I thought as much,but wasn't sure. The tub does turn freely. I think the main issues seem to be the sticking heater/temperature buttons.

I would give it a try, but firstly have to replace the power cord as some d*ckhead cut it off just to get the copper out of it!

Also, is it easy to bypass the lid lock?

Cheers
Leon
 

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