Tom -
That machine must have really leaked up quite a puddle in its last home. Between the small hole in the tub, and the detergent river that was coming from the centerpost gasket, she wasn't holding much water. I think I see some red sealant around the tub center lip, so that leak may have been addressed once already.
As to fixing the tub, I like two-part epoxy. It is easy to use, odor free, and when done right, it provides a very good seal. There are a couple other areas of that tub that are on borrowed time up at about the two o'clock position whch I would epoxy as well.
The tub mounting bolt hole at the bottom is not in good shape either. Try to use a 76673 tub repair kit here and it may cover most of that area. You'll want to seal the rest as best you can, but don't get sealant where the tub repair gasket will go or it may not seal perfectly flat. I put the two part epoxy in AFTER I have re-installed the tub. The tub outlet hole is deteriorated, but I dont think it makes the tub unusable, at least not from what I can see.
I don't know what to say about the spin tube - it looks okay except I can't tell if there is a bright gouge worn into it or if that's my computer monitor, etc. If it is gouged, you need to either lower the bearing and/or seal so this gouge doesn't ruin a new seal, or replace the spin tube. I would go for all-new if possible for a long term solution.
That centerpost is pretty rough. You and Turquoisedude Paul are doing nearly the same work right now. If you remove the rust and clean up the post as best you can, as long as what's left is solid with no pin-holes of rust, you should be able to POR-15 that post and get some more use out of the machine, especially if you're not going to use it 8 loads per week, etc. I know Patrick / PDub did the same job with the POR15 and has had great success thus far in a '66 Kenmore.
If this were my project, I think before I did too much with the tub, I'd ascertain what to do with the centerpost. This machine is providing you with a very good lesson book on what you can find in these older machines.
Gordon
