Another Timeline

[philr]

As many of you probably saw, Launderess posted about a Norge Timeline washer that was for sale on Craigslist. It's similar to the one I recently picked up with Paul. Now, he's got a second one! 

 

 

This one has a lighted timeline and turquoise accents!!

 

I'm sure he'll post more pictures once he gets back home!

 

[turquoisedude]

A Norge Invasion!

Well, that's what Hubby thought about this weekend's rescue mission to pick up the Norge washer in Rochester... LOL

 

The person selling the machine said he 'had a feeling' that someone might want it when he found it in the basement of a house he was clearing out.  I've kept his number as he says he does find old appliances from time to time but doesn't know what to do with them!

 

So, what I've got here is a model AW 450 Norge Timeline automatic washer - with the Safety Spin lid switch, no less!   When I inspected the washer yesterday, I spotted a date stamp of 7-7-54 on the tub brake solenoid.  This may be a 1954 model - that year is badly underrepresented in my washer, dryer and dishwasher collection.

 

As Phil noted, the panel has turquoise accents and the panel should be lighted (I'll get to that in a minute...).  

 

Note the 'radio dial' style of pointer on the Timeline cycle control.  Neat!!  I was encouraged to note that the Timeline was at the end of cycle position (unlike '8 of 56' where the Timeline was stuck at the troublesome 6-minute point of the wash cycle). 

 

[turquoisedude]

Money shot

This one has a white tub - ooo.... aaah   

 

Tub seems to be in pretty good shape, but there was a good accumulation of crud at the bottom of it.

 

[turquoisedude]

And this looks like a possible source...  That upper rim looks kinda corroded alright. 

 

Something was telling me that this washer is not as low mileage as '8 of 56'.

 

[turquoisedude]

The rear panels from the timer box and the washer body were missing and I noticed a few loose wires.   In the 40s there was an expression 'loose lips sink ships';  today, Hubby's saying is 'loose wires start fires'.  Sheesh, just because I flamed out the Inglis and a Kenmore washer... 

 

Note the wires in the console box.  Those black wires look to have deliberately disconnected.  Well, the one that wasn't burnt anyway!

 

[turquoisedude]

Note that there was no wiring diagram pasted to the back of the tub... However, the 1957 Norge Manual has the diagram for this model and I was kinda able to figure what wire went where.    Those loose wires hanging at the rear of the washer body would have connected to a relay that in turn was connected to the lid switch and would have fed the panel lights.  So, I concluded that at some point the lid switch had been bypassed and the relay removed.  The burnt wire was still a mystery... I fear that perhaps the panel light or lid switch shorted at some point and caused that connector to flame out.   I guess it made sense to have a relay to not subject the switch to a sudden high power arc when restarting the machine with a tub full of clothes.   But I was keen to test the machine, so I studied the diagram to figure out how I could possibly bypass the circuit for the lid switch on my own before I realized that someone already did!  The wiring fairy definitely visited this washer at some point during its active service.  

 

[turquoisedude]

What had been done actually made sense to me, so I figured I might be ready to test the washer. 

 

However, I noticed that a part of the power cord had been damaged.  I did notice that the section of the cord near the plug felt brittle so I decided to try cutting the cord at the damaged section to attach a plug for testing.  

 

It was good intention, but when I tried to strip the insulation off the the cord, the insulation for the white wire just disintegrated!   I hooked up a new cord rather than risk yet another visit from Hydro Quebec and the local Fire Department.  

 

[turquoisedude]

Well, I'm still here writing so the machine did not go up in a big blue flash... LOL 

 

Amazingly enough, the washer motor powered up immediately.  I could hear the timer motor running and the fill solenoids buzzing.  The washer advanced into wash and....  The motor still ran but there was a big struggle with the agitator - it just wasn't turning.   I tried to advance the Timeline to spin - again, the motor seemed to be running nicely but the spin just wasn't happening.   I took a peek behind the machine and I could see the the belt riding the pump and transmission pulleys.   I was surprised by this as I had been able to turn both the pump and transmission pulleys by hand.  The pump did give some resistance, though and the drive belt looks glazed.  

 

So my next step shall be to remove the pump and see if I can clean it out to get it turning smoothly again; I may just pop in a new belt, too.  

 

I did notice that there was a lot of clanging and rattling in the tub as the washer attempted to wash or spin. Methinks I deposited some bits of the top lid rim that were badly rusted when I moved the Norge.  

 

I'll know more this coming weekend, I hope!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Wild coincidence - POD 4-15-2016

Wow, cue up that 'Twilight Zone' music - the Norge from Rochester is just like the one in the lower right hand side of the washer line-up in the Tide ad!

 

[ken]

That image is reversed. The N in the emblem on the Norge is backwards.

 

[pulltostart]

Paul

Nice find! Does this mean that you will have either a new or a second profile - 'Timelinedude'?

lawrence

 

[washerlover]

I'm turquoise blue with envy! Such fantastic machines and I'm so happy this one found a good home. Please keep us posted!

 

[114jwh]

Congrats on another rare find!

You have got such a neat collection Paul

Very cool machine, can't wait to see it all lit up - hopefully without the need of a fire extinguisher lol!

You do such an amazing job of studying those repair manuals and wiring diagrams I have full confidence you'll have it up and running in no time.

 

[retro-man]

Interesting machines. I have only seen 1 in person in my life and that was a friends mothers. It was in the kitchen of the house. Hers had 2 cycles Regular and then a short or quick cycle. Don't remember that the console lit up but bulb may have gone out and never replaced.

Jon

 

[angus]

Wow, what a find!! Maybe this is a "Norge year"...

 

[washerlover]

Of course the Norge machines are long gone, but the signs are still there. Unfortunately the Norge ball no longer turns...just took this photo in Ukiah, CA, where I was at a meeting today. I guess I should have zoomed in a little more...

 

[mrsalvo]

This is great! I'm glad you were able to save the machine. I hope it is salvageable, that you can get it working. What a fantastic find. Congratulations!!
Hope you can post videos of it in action.

 

[philr]

I visited Paul earlier this weekend and made two videos!

 



 



 

 

 

[tolivac]

That so reminds me of the Norge my Mom had when I was little!Put some water,clothes,detergnet in it and lets see what this baby will do!I can't rmember the "Timeline" on hers-but the agitator and drum look like hers.

 

[brucelucenta]

Yes, I imagine lots of our moms had Norges back in the day. Mine did.