Blackstone 350 Rebuilding

[blackstone]

I'm currently rebuilding a Blackstone model 350 for a lucky member, and took some photos yesterday. I'm not doing a complete restoration, just putting together a working machine, so I can move it out of the store. First step was removing the transmission from a 250, and putting it into a 350 cabinet.

 

[blackstone]

Close-up picture of 350 cabinet, minus the front panel, knobs, and stainless steel top.

 

[blackstone]

Groan!

Picture of the transmission removed from the 250, ready to drop into (figurately speaking, of course) the 350 cabinet. This sucker is just about at the limit of what I can lift and carefully drop down. Not much to reconnect the transmission once into the cabinet--only the three nuts to bolt it in place (not that it has anywhere to go to); the cable connecting to the water valve; the linkage to the control knob; and the electrical connection. Next step will be sliding the outer tub into the cabinet and connecting the hoses.

 

[tlee618]

Very interesting Fred, thanks for sharing this adventure with us. I will look forward to more pictures as you continue with the restoration.

 

[swestoyz]

Thanks for posting Fred! Wow - every time I see a Blackstone I think of one word - beefy. So totally built to out live us all.

Ben

 

[gansky1]

Looks like a heavy load...

And this was a "lightweight" compared with the earlier Blackstone mechanisms!

It's great to see the pictures of this out of the cabinet - was there something not working about the original in the 350?

 

[blackstone]

The transmission that was in the 350 did not work because apparently the mechanical timer inside the transmission was not advancing. Another 350 had a broken connecting rod inside the transmission. The quickest fix was to swap the transmissions, and save the rebuildings for a later date, when I have more time.

 

[blackstone]

I had two 250s and two 350s in the store, only one of which had a working transmission. One of the 350 transmission had a broken connecting rod; the other had a mechanical timer that was not advancing. Easier to swap the transmissions and save the transmission repair for some other time.

 

[blackstone]

13 more pictures to follow, showing the rebuilding that I did this afternoon. First, is the replacement outer tub in the cabinet. Rubber boot will go on the bottom.

 

[blackstone]

Then I can connect the drain to the pump. Lint strainer on the bottom of the tub slides out like a drawer. When replaced, make sure it is a tight fit.

 

[blackstone]

This is the tub support disk that is to be removed from another Blackstone.

 

[blackstone]

Rubber boot installed at the bottom of the outer tub. (Hope it doesn't leak!)

 

[blackstone]

This picture is named "Feet_on_Disk" because that's exactly what it is. The disk has to be seated as far down as possible, and the best way to do it is to stand on the disk while you tighten the set screw. Try doing this in a plastic tub Whirlpool.

 

[blackstone]

Spline on top of agitator shaft, into which the inner tub sits. Outer shaft is for spinning, inner shaft is for agitation.

 

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View of the bottom of the stainless steel inner tub. Well, the bottom is actually cast iron. Die cast bottom of post sits on disk; when tub gets lifted up, water gravity drains through the holes in the bottom, before spinning removes rest of water.

 

[blackstone]

Outside of stainless steel tub. Washboard design allows water to crawl up and over the top edge when spinning, while clothes are not pressed tightly against surface.

 

[blackstone]

Close up view of tub center post that fits into spline.

 

[blackstone]

Inside view of tub after set into machine. This is the second-most strenuous part of the job, since the tub weighs 70 lbs. Best done with two people, but I didn't have anyone around to help. In other words, make sure what you do prior to this step is right, or else you will be lifting the tub out again. Still a nice shiny washing surface after 50 years.

 

[blackstone]

Close up view of brass water valve and water deflector. There is an extension piece on the outer tub to collect water drippings from here, but I wrap something around this opening to help guide the water and prevent it from spilling inside the cabinet. The brass pipe is bent for proper adjustment.

 

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The spider, which moves the agitator. Originally made of metal, later nylon.

 

[blackstone]

Last but not least for today, the agitator placed into the tub. During agitation, the center shaft drops down and the spider engages the agitator. Hopefully. There will be a stainless cap that presses on top of the agitator.

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Fred. Thank you for posting such interesting pictures.

Ross

 

[gansky1]

Great pictures, Fred! These are such interesting machines.

 

[tlee618]

Great pictures Fred, thanks so much for sharing them. I loved the one where you are standing in the tub!!

 

[mickeyd]

Never seen one of these work in person

and always amazed by them. Love how the tub looks so futurisitc. Learn so much when people do this. Do some of the Blackstone models rinse automtaically in hot, and do they really drain from both the bottom and the top? So you have a store, huh?

Like Terry, love the one where we can see your boots right inside the tub.

 

[swestoyz]

Wow - now we are really getting intimate with a Blackstone! It is amazing the 'over-engineering' that went into this machine. The splined shaft for the tub looks like it should be a part in a GM Turbo-Hydromatic 400 - that well built.

The boot shot - what a great picture!

This machine will be stunning when it is finished - thanks for sharing!

Ben

 

[gyrafoam]

I don't know that I'm that impressed with how well built, or rebuilt these things are. I know two of the three machines Mark (Lightedcontrols) bought and had shipped are already out of service after just a few loads.

One thing I do admire with the Blackstone's is how well that old agitator with those little fins is able to create such good roll-over.Very impressive action!

 

[rogera608s]

Fred,
Your pictures are great. I never cease to be fascinated by this machine. I still remember the day we brought my 350 home and plugged it in....it sprung to life and has been washing ever since. I can only imagine how complex the gearcase must be inside.
The person who gets this washer will be lucky indeed.
Roger

 

[blackstone]

Thanks for all the interesting comments about these pictures. I'm posting them also so I can look at the progress for myself.

The Blackstone 350 has infinite water temperature control--you can set any water temperature at any time during the cycle by rotating the knob on the front. The water first drains through the holes in the bottom of the tub before spinning starts; once it starts to spin, water climbs up the wall of the tub and over the top.

I am clearing out our family TV and appliance business. My father started fixing radios in 1938. We lived behind the store, so I was always involved in the sales, service, and delivery of everything. Times change, and now I have to sell the building.

I wish I had more time to fully restore these Blackstones, but I need to have the building empty, in case it sells. I'm just trying to put together a few working machines. They may last forever, or they may not. Besides, I know most everyone here likes to take things apart and put them back together, so I leave that to you. I'm keeping the washer and dryer that my mother used. Whenever I have spare time, I will probably thoroughly fix them. I do have a good supply of parts, along with the service manuals, and I am not throwing away any Blackstone stuff.

Here is a picture of the store building that I am trying to sell, unsuccessfully.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Blackstone

Great to see a full restoration, so solid a machine and fantastic to see the works and all...that agi looks like its meant to be in a commercial machine.I cant believe its the one machine I missed seeing in action at Gregs last year!!!

I like the concept of the tub vanes being able to drive the water up and out, for better extraction.Sorry to hear you are needing to sell your store, its most certainly true that times are a changing!!!, Mike