Hoover 720 (Blackstone) tub removal

[Frigidaire Deluxe]

Hi everyone,

Picked up this relatively good condition Hoover 720 over the weekend. I want to remove the inner drum to give it a good clean as it’s really dirty. I’ve gotten to the point where the drum should just pull out, but being 45 years old it isn’t proving to be easy. I’ve tried hitting down and the sides with a block of wood and a mallet and trying the letting it spin up then stopping it trick with no luck.
If anyone has any ideas that would be great!

 

[gizmo]

That centre post looks pretty rusty, you could wire brush it to remove flaky rust, otherwise it will fight you all the way up.
After cleaning up the post, I'd soak the top of the aluminium hub (where the post passes through) with Inox spray, it's a fantastic loosener-upper.
Let the Inox soak in overnight, a couple of days with a spray each day might help.

Try to get the inner drum (basket) to turn freely on the shaft before you try to pull it upwards. Try to rotate it back and forth to free it up.

If it still fights you, you might have to heat the hub with an LPG torch. To be avoided if you can.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/inox-300g-aerosol-lubricant-can_p6100723

720s are a great model and that looks like a lovely example, good luck with it.

 

[Frigidaire Deluxe]

Thanks so much Gizmo! I can’t express how helpful you’ve been to me with these old Aussie machines, you certainly know your stuff for sure. I’ve just removed the rust today with a wire wheel and bought some Inox and put it on it. Hopefully this works!

Certainly a well built machine, very very quite as well. I like how the connector for the control panel is the same on the Malleys whirlpool. There must have been one company supplying them! Just like how some parts were shared across Australian cars.

 

[spin-doctor]

I love the styling of that old machine. Never seen one like that. Try to save her if you can.

 

[Frigidaire Deluxe]

I love the styling of that old machine. Never seen one like that. Try to save her if you can.

Yeah, it’s pretty unique, the control panel on the machine that came before this is even more impressive, stands out a lot!

 

[Frigidaire Deluxe]

That centre post looks pretty rusty, you could wire brush it to remove flaky rust, otherwise it will fight you all the way up.
After cleaning up the post, I'd soak the top of the aluminium hub (where the post passes through) with Inox spray, it's a fantastic loosener-upper.
Let the Inox soak in overnight, a couple of days with a spray each day might help.

Try to get the inner drum (basket) to turn freely on the shaft before you try to pull it upwards. Try to rotate it back and forth to free it up.

If it still fights you, you might have to heat the hub with an LPG torch. To be avoided if you can.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/inox-300g-aerosol-lubricant-can_p6100723

720s are a great model and that looks like a lovely example, good luck with it.

So I’ve tried using a fair bit of Inox with no luck at all. I think heat is my only option. I’ve hit the hub with a rubber mallet and a mini sledge with a piece of wood in front too. I’ve tried jamming up the transmission against the tub supports and turning the tub as hard as I can and it’s still on there tight.

Is there anything to be avoided with the torch? I know to avoid the seal but don’t know if there’s anything else to avoided heating up too much.

 

[gizmo]

I have only removed a tub from 1 or 2 of these machines and that was a looong time ago, so a distant memory I'm afraid.
I can't give more specific advice. Maybe John L (Combo52) or Robert (Unimatic1140) or one of the other very experienced members might have advice?

Really, you might be opening a can of worms by trying to remove the basket. Leave well enough alone... Just treat the rusty centre post with a rust converter product, paint it with something suitable (People here seem to mention POR15 though I have never used it) and start washing in it.

Just do lots of very hot washes to clean it out.
I have used machine dishwasher detergent in very hot water to clean out filthy washing machines, but ask the experts here if they think it's a good idea for this machine - the rusty centre post might get even more corroded if you haven't given it a really good protective coating first.

You could also remove the plastic ring around the top of the tub and then squirt a water blaster down the gap between inner and outer tubs to clean away some accumulated filth.

Trying to remove the tub unnecessarily may well end in tears - parts aren't easy to find these days.

 

[combo52]

Removing the wash tub from an old washer.

I agree with gizmo, I would not remove this washers tub assembly unless you have all the parts around that might be needed, otherwise you may end up with a machine that is in pieces and useles.

Gunky washing machines will clean themselves over time with proper use.

I got a 1954 FD Unimatic 20+ years ago that was a stinky mess, but enough hot washes and bleach have eliminated the odor and I have never even removed the washers top even though I have all the parts nessassary.

John L.