Anybody familiar with old Magic Chef ranges?

[browncow]

The rubber over door seal on my old Magic Chef range has fallen apart. I've given the local parts house all the stamped numbers I could make out from the ID plate (D416B2G), but the person I was working with couldn't find a matching model # and seems paralyzed without one.

It's a 36" gas range from the "Supremacy" line, circa 1980. Actually only one segment of the seal is broken; it's roughly 13" long with metal clips and has a V-shaped profile. The door actually has one seal segment on each side, and the top seal in two halves, one of which I seek. I've found one similar, as in the link, but it's a couple inches too long.

In actuality, I'd like to replace the range, but all the 36" wide ranges now are in the high-end pseudo-pro style. If I'm going to spend that much, I'll do it as part of a kitchen remodel, but since that's not an option right now, I'll soldier on with what I've got.

Thanks for any suggestions.

http://www.partselect.com/PartDetail.aspx?Inventory=1643517&imgID=1&SourceCode=6

 

[panthera]

I would think

You could carefully remove the damaged seal, saving the metal support wire or very thin metal insert. Measure and trim the over-length rubber to fit and put it in. If you have to put two rubber pieces on one support, not a big hu-hu- They do not have to be air-tight.

Magic Chef doesn't build for themselves, they use parts (like everybody else). Try the applianceguru website to find a list of who makes what for whom then work through their parts catalogs.

My experience, both in the US and in Munich has been, either the person at the counter cares or they don't give a fcuk. There's nothing in between. Down the street from me in Munich is a kid - I mean, she can't be more than 16 at the oldest. I can go in and vaguely describe the what'sit that sits in the who'sit and makes the thin'gummy go splat, whap, whap at the end of the spin cycle in a '70's Privilg washer and she'll look at me and say - 'Right, second warehouse, third aisle, top bin on the upper left shelf, third down...be back in a moment. Her father, who owns the place couldn't find a Miele water pump with the T-number and the pump in front of him dripping down his pants. Miele has made like three variations in the last 70 years. Been there, done that...

 

[jamiel]

Actually, not all 36" are pro wannabees. Check out www.premierrange.com...made in Belleville, Illinois I believe you can order these at Lowe's or probably your local independent.

 

[everythingold]

Larry at Modern Appliance in Cleveland can get you the parts you need.

 

[browncow]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I extracted the broken one and it looks like it uses the same type of metal clips, so I just might be able to cut one of the new ones to length and reinsert the clips, provided they're not glued-in or something.

I didn't want to be hard on the counter person since he was genuinely trying to be helpful, and the inability to deviate from standard procedure or think outside the box certainly isn't isolated to appliance parts counters.

I fear for this country when all that remains of the economy are "service" jobs. The void left once those who have skills to be able to build, fix, or create things have retired without being replaced will only reinforce the cycle of buying and discarding of cheap disposable goods manufactured elsewhere.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I thought Gemline used to make a large amount of those gaskets. You'd buy them by length and slightly stretch them to install...

RCD