56 Unimatic Set Restoration

[fridgiman]

Hey Gang
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving
Here's some pics of the 56 Unimatic set that I picked up in Michigan that Robert had posted for sale back in Sept.

Van loaded and ready to go to Michigan
Yeah !!!

 

[fridgiman]

In Michigan with set loaded in van and ready to go back to Ohio

 

[fridgiman]

Dryer in its new home

 

[fridgiman]

Filtrator dryer's controls
Has 4 heat setting:
Delicate
Low
Med and
High (scortch)

 

[fridgiman]

Inside dryer
Not 1 dryer sheet but 2 have been sitting in there for god knows how long

 

[fridgiman]

Unimatic in its new abode

 

[fridgiman]

Unimatic control panel
All nice and coppery

 

[fridgiman]

Back of the machine with the original moving blocks hanging at the right side

 

[fridgiman]

The whole inside of the machine including the inside of the control panel was covered with a thick sticky smelly goop.

 

[fridgiman]

Inside of the tub was covered in a film of hard water mineral/lime deposit.
You can see that the tub is all dull and rough
They must have some pretty hard water up there in Michigan

 

[fridgiman]

After a shot of Lime-away, a scrub brush and some elbow grease.
All shiney and new !

 

[fridgiman]

Had to scrub out the interior as well
As you can see the snubber plate also looks almost new
Still needs more cleaning though
At least the smell is gone

 

[fridgiman]

The set had to have some needed repairs by me.
First the timer would not advance.
There was a poor design flaw in the fill flume. They put the fill flume right next to the controls on the inside of the control panel with no barrier. When the washer fills the water tends to splash on the controls. On this washer you can see the hard water stains from the splashing water on the inside of the control panel and down the back of the washer. All the controls were hit by the water and rusty. Luckly only the timer was affected as all the other controls still work.
I was lucky enough to locate a timer and was able to replace it.
Here is a shot of the old rusty timer.

 

[fridgiman]

New timer in place with a cleaned back panel
You can even see the color of the wires now

 

[fridgiman]

To fix the splashing water problem I went to the auto parts store and bought a hose to fit the fill nozzle.
I figured I really didn't need the screen in the fill flume so I removed it. I connected the hose to the fill nozzle and pushed it down the fill flume.
Works like a charm and no splashing

 

[fridgiman]

The next repair was the water valve--- it did'nt work at all.
Took it apart and soaked all the guts in vinegar overnight. Next day took a toothbrush to it, cleaned it up, put it back together and it worked like a charm.

 

[fridgiman]

Last repair ( at least I hope for awhile anyway) was the drain hose. It had the original Frigidaire drain hose with the brass threaded end. It was in too bad of a shape to save so I trashed it.
Went to Home Depot and pieced together a brass and PVC fitting that worked out well.

 

[fridgiman]

The dryer also has a couple of issues
One of the fan blades is bent or loose and hitting the side of the fan housing.
And just like the washer the timer is not advancing.
So I'll be busy with the dryer for a couple of days.
Hope I can locate a timer for the dryer like I did the washer.
Also hope to have first wash pics with the washer posted soon

Carving the bird with my sister yesterday.

 

[toploader55]

Very Nice.

Great Looking Set. Enjoy them and Congratulations. Eddie

 

[fridgiman]

Almost forgot
Also replaced both of the bellows

 

[turquoisedude]

Very nice!

So glad these machines got a good home! Congrats and enjoy your new machines!
Just curious where in heaven's name did you scare up that timer for the washer??

 

[appnut]

Jim congratulations!! I couldn't remember who had gotten this set. And thank you for alkl the great pictures. This is the only Unimatic year I've never seen up close and personal, either in my childhood or as an adult at washins. Bob

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice job!

 

[fridgiman]

I found the timer at the parts store that Jimmy (filterflo) and I went to in Oct in Aliquippa, PA.
Jimmy posted the guy's name and telephone number.
You can find it in post #311789 on 10/27/08

 

[golittlesport]

Beautiful set. Congratulations!! And thanks for the great photos.

 

[maypool]

great work

they look brandnew, after all that work n' elbow grease

 

[filterflo]

Hey Jim, Im so proud of you and your great work. You are becoming the Unimatic expert......now having done 2 machines with wonderful results......Congrats on a job well done !

 

[tuthill]

Nice machines

 

[rickr]

Great job Jim!
Congratulations on a beautiful set of 50's Frigidaire classics! So glad to see they found a good home.

 

[peteski50]

Frigidaire!

Jim,
Really beautiful set. Best Of Luck with this wonderful pair.
Peter