1980s White-Westinghouse Pair in Almond

[spiraldasher]

Hi all,

About a year and a half ago, I was given this pair by a friend who switched it out for a newer washer and dryer because "they just stopped working." I've finally figured out how to get them side by side rather than on top of each other so each machine is more manageable. And with this, I thought I'd better get them fixed up, because as of yet, I have a very small collection of automatic washers, and none of them are a tumbler style.

The washer's electricals seem to be just fine, but the tub is scraping against the outer drum when I try to move it by hand. I hope it's nothing worse than replacing this plastic ring that appears to fit on the outer tub and give the inner tub something to support itself. I'll post a picture of the thing as soon as I can.

The dryer is a whole other situation however. It heats up and the blower runs just fine, but the drum barely turns, if at all, without my aid.

This pair was in use up until the time I got them, too. The whole family had no problems with them before, and wanted them fixed, but no local repair man would take on the job.

Thanks for all your input, and here they are:

 

[combo52]

1983-1986 White- Westinghouse FL Washer Pair

These were good performing fun machines, the washer is about the last of the real WH designed 3 belt washers

 

The scraping sound when you turn the washer could be one of several things, If the wash basket moves up and down it might have bad bearings, if not the sump strainer and baffle in the bottom of the outer tub may have broken loose and is rubbing against the basket or it could be as simple as a nail stuck in one of the basket holes dragging on the outer tub.

 

The dryer that does not tumble could be a badly worn belt, WH used a flat belt that would wear down in width and would lose traction. The dryer should be taken apart and the rear drum bearing, idler pulley and front slides inspected for wear cleaned and lucubrated etc.

 

Get in touch if you need any help or parts for these machines, over the years I worked on hundreds of these washers and still work on a lot of these dryers.

 

John L.

 

[spiraldasher]

Thank you!

Here's a few pictures of that plastic ring I was talking about. I checked to see if there was a nail scraping or the sump strainer and baffle were loose. There is nothing obstructing the tub movement except the position of the tub. Its tilted downward about a quarter inch in relation to the outer tub, and if I lift it up that distance, I can turn it smoothly without resistance. It might be the bearing, but the fact that this piece is as shredded as it is makes me think it might play a part.

Thanks again,

SpiralDasher

 

[ea56]

Chris,

The 87’ White-Westinghouse set that I bought brand new in 87’ looked virtually identical to this set. They were wonderful machines, my favorite of any I’ve owned. The tub on the washer dryer drum both look to be in excellent condition.

It’s no surprise that the former owners never had any problems with them. I owned mine for seven trouble free years, sold them with the home and the new owner used them fro several more trouble free years too, and this is with the home being a rental.

Good luck with them. I hope you get them up and running again, you’ll be very happy with them. As for the rusted door on the washer, you may be able to sand off the rust and get an auto body shop to repaint the washer.
Eddie

 

[iowabear]

I had never seen the control panel on one of these washers.  You set the water level manually?

 

[ea56]

Yep, thats what the weigh to save door was all about. You put the load on the open door and there was a scale indicator next to the opening to the tub that would indicate the size of the load based on its weight. This was a feature that went back to the original slant fronts, or at least the models as far back as the early 50’s.

And these bad boys fill with enough water to get the job done!
Eddie

 

[potatochips]

If only I could find a set like this, really nice find, congrats!

 

[bendixmark]

Scraping

From the picture the washtub is leaning down.That ring is the clothes guard.My guess is you have bad tub bearings or a broken tub support which those machines were famous for doing.Those machines are a lot of fun I have a 1950s version of that. You could fix that but I have been told its not a fun job.