turquoisedude
Well-known member
Remember this? The poor dear has been sitting patiently in the garage since last December... It was high time I did some exploratory surgery on it.
Learning my ABC...
- Thread starter turquoisedude
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turquoisedude
Well-known member
The drain and fill flume hoses were nice and brittle and the belts were in pretty sad shape.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Amazingly, the flexible hose from the tub to the pump seems to be intact still.
Jon tested the motor when the washer was first delivered to Melrose by Eddie - it's a Delco! According to the wiring diagram on this washer, the motor could have been a Delco or a Westinghouse.
Added bonus, the pump seems to turn smoothly still.
Jon tested the motor when the washer was first delivered to Melrose by Eddie - it's a Delco! According to the wiring diagram on this washer, the motor could have been a Delco or a Westinghouse.
Added bonus, the pump seems to turn smoothly still.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
Very cool. Please keep us posted.
Jim
Jim
turquoisedude
Well-known member
This doesn't look too encouraging... If I were a betting person, my money would be on 'it's gonna leak'... LOL
BUT it doesn't look anywhere near as bad at the drain port on the Blackstone BA600, so even I should be able to fix this.
My suspicion about a leak was also supported by the hose clamp on the pump. That screw and bolt are rusted good and solid. This is perhaps the one time where I was wishing the hose clamp was a Corbin... GRRR!!
BUT it doesn't look anywhere near as bad at the drain port on the Blackstone BA600, so even I should be able to fix this.
My suspicion about a leak was also supported by the hose clamp on the pump. That screw and bolt are rusted good and solid. This is perhaps the one time where I was wishing the hose clamp was a Corbin... GRRR!!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
So, with a tub repair required and my discovery of the existence of another boot (I guess between the tub and the outer cabinet), taking the top off and tub out would be essential.
Removing the top was easy enough. Despite having a wiring diagram, I still marked the positions of the wires leading down into the washer body. Better safe than sorry!
I decided to try testing the timer only after I got the top off (I could have done that some time ago, but no...). Fortunately the timer motor runs nicely and the timer advances. Geez, it's a noisy one - you really hear the cams clicking and springing as the timer advances.
And last but not least, I found a date stamp on the front lip of the cabinet. Wild coincidence, that week of November 1956, over in Appliance Park in Louisville, my '56 GE Combo was rolling off the line.
Of course, I now have to wonder if the ABC would be considered as a 1956 or a 1957 model. I'll be losing sleep over that for weeks... LOL
Removing the top was easy enough. Despite having a wiring diagram, I still marked the positions of the wires leading down into the washer body. Better safe than sorry!
I decided to try testing the timer only after I got the top off (I could have done that some time ago, but no...). Fortunately the timer motor runs nicely and the timer advances. Geez, it's a noisy one - you really hear the cams clicking and springing as the timer advances.
And last but not least, I found a date stamp on the front lip of the cabinet. Wild coincidence, that week of November 1956, over in Appliance Park in Louisville, my '56 GE Combo was rolling off the line.
Of course, I now have to wonder if the ABC would be considered as a 1956 or a 1957 model. I'll be losing sleep over that for weeks... LOL
turquoisedude
Well-known member
So, here's the downside of the splashy agitation... The rear part of the lid was good and rusty!
The inner tub looks pretty good. The coating on the inside of the tub looks as if it was applied in a hurry; I'm thinking that this washer has been 'under the knife' before.
I'd noticed some difficulty lifting the lid and it seems to be missing some kind of spring/balancing mechanism. I'll be studying the '55 Kelvinator manual carefully to see how I can remedy this. Of course a lid with a window might just turn up... It could be anywhere; even Iowa...
[this post was last edited: 6/20/2016-09:43]
The inner tub looks pretty good. The coating on the inside of the tub looks as if it was applied in a hurry; I'm thinking that this washer has been 'under the knife' before.
I'd noticed some difficulty lifting the lid and it seems to be missing some kind of spring/balancing mechanism. I'll be studying the '55 Kelvinator manual carefully to see how I can remedy this. Of course a lid with a window might just turn up... It could be anywhere; even Iowa...
[this post was last edited: 6/20/2016-09:43]
turquoisedude
Well-known member
So, referring to that 1955 Kelvy manual, I kinda figured out that I should be able to remove the tub and drive shaft assembly in one unit. But to do so, I'd need to remove the pulleys. Seemed easy enough...
I had to remove the cross brace at the bottom of the cabinet. Word of warning to anyone else who may tear into an ABC machine like this- there's a ball bearing the size of a small egg at the bottom of the brace plate. Losing it is not an option... LOL Well, the plate came off fine.
BUT, this is where I'm stuck for the moment: the agitate pulley is not attached to the drive shaft with a hex nut. The manual calls it a 'split pin' but when I described it to Phil, he said it is really a 'spring pin' or 'roll pin'. Anyway, the manual said to 'drive out from either side of the pulley'. Sounds easy enough, but I don't seem to have the appropriate tool or punch to accomplish that. So, I'll be on the hunt for one of those this week. I hope our local Crappy Tire knows what the heck I'm talking about!
And I still have to get that pump clamp off somehow. So, I've got some challenges here. And it looks like POR15 is going to be my new best friend.... Stay tuned!
[this post was last edited: 6/20/2016-10:57]
I had to remove the cross brace at the bottom of the cabinet. Word of warning to anyone else who may tear into an ABC machine like this- there's a ball bearing the size of a small egg at the bottom of the brace plate. Losing it is not an option... LOL Well, the plate came off fine.
BUT, this is where I'm stuck for the moment: the agitate pulley is not attached to the drive shaft with a hex nut. The manual calls it a 'split pin' but when I described it to Phil, he said it is really a 'spring pin' or 'roll pin'. Anyway, the manual said to 'drive out from either side of the pulley'. Sounds easy enough, but I don't seem to have the appropriate tool or punch to accomplish that. So, I'll be on the hunt for one of those this week. I hope our local Crappy Tire knows what the heck I'm talking about!
And I still have to get that pump clamp off somehow. So, I've got some challenges here. And it looks like POR15 is going to be my new best friend.... Stay tuned!
[this post was last edited: 6/20/2016-10:57]
abcomatic
Well-known member
Paul, How do you do it? You have this wonderful ABC. You are in Canada and I live 35 miles from where the ABC factory was. Do you think I can find one, no. Wow. Good luck with this. Gary
christfr
Well-known member
ohhh I'm not even there and I love that machine you will too.. they are easy to work on...ohhh fun for days
Paul, do you have a Dremel tool? I've used one several times to cut clamps and such when I've worked on my old truck. Just be careful not to cut too deep!
toploader55
Well-known member
I can't remember does that have Rubber Fins ? : )
That's such a Cute/Handsome Machine.
That's such a Cute/Handsome Machine.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Eddie, I think only the Kelvinator version had the 'Creature From the Black Lagoon' fins... LOL This one doesn't, alas, but I'm not kvetching!
toploader55
Well-known member
I think the Very First ABCs had Rubber fins.
The Models that looked like the Maytag AMP with the dials on the front surface of the cabinet on both sides. They also had the Port Hole in the Lid.
Robert has one. There used to be a vid in the Old Web Page of the Club in the Library or in the "See it Wash" and I think it said somewhere "Flying Rubber Fins".
The Models that looked like the Maytag AMP with the dials on the front surface of the cabinet on both sides. They also had the Port Hole in the Lid.
Robert has one. There used to be a vid in the Old Web Page of the Club in the Library or in the "See it Wash" and I think it said somewhere "Flying Rubber Fins".
turquoisedude
Well-known member
I did some serious work on the ABC O Matic over the long St-Jean-Baptiste Holiday weekend down in Ogden. I was disputing those claims about these machines being "easy" to work on just because I had quite the time taking the blessed thing apart!
So, I figured once I drove the pin out of that larger pulley (it's a 1/4 inch punch that did it), removed pulley, then found a series of spings, washers, clamps and finally these odd-shaped pins (don't even know what the correct term for them is). It was a slow process and I was being very, very careful, but I did get the washer tub out at last!
So, I figured once I drove the pin out of that larger pulley (it's a 1/4 inch punch that did it), removed pulley, then found a series of spings, washers, clamps and finally these odd-shaped pins (don't even know what the correct term for them is). It was a slow process and I was being very, very careful, but I did get the washer tub out at last!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
And the inner tub was now viewable by all... I was very happy to see that the second tub boot was still more or less intact! I'll need to clean that up and do some water testing, though.
I managed to get the pump drain out; that drain port was not in as bad condition as I thought. Phew!
But that clamp for the pump drain hose was rusted good and solid. I had to chisel the poor thing off.
Good news, though - the pump still turns freely and the impeller seems to be in good shape. Yay!
I managed to get the pump drain out; that drain port was not in as bad condition as I thought. Phew!
But that clamp for the pump drain hose was rusted good and solid. I had to chisel the poor thing off.
Good news, though - the pump still turns freely and the impeller seems to be in good shape. Yay!
brucelucenta
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The ABC and Kelvinator style of washer are my favorites. They put on quite a show when you have the big glass insert lid. No transmission either!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
The outer tub rim was good and rusty... curse that splashy washing action... LOL
The 'vacuum breaker' for the water inlet worries me. it looks like it had been "fixed" with some caulking goo at some point. I'll try cutting a new gasket and it will probably get reinforced with some silicone too. We'll see how that works out.
I'll need to replace the top tub gasket and the rear tub baffle gasket. I'm hoping that I can substitute modern weatherstripping. A trip to Home Depot will be in order!
The 'vacuum breaker' for the water inlet worries me. it looks like it had been "fixed" with some caulking goo at some point. I'll try cutting a new gasket and it will probably get reinforced with some silicone too. We'll see how that works out.
I'll need to replace the top tub gasket and the rear tub baffle gasket. I'm hoping that I can substitute modern weatherstripping. A trip to Home Depot will be in order!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
I gave the tub bottom and rim a good brushing with the wire brush - there were a few rust spots that worried me... But it's nothing a coat of POR15 won't cure. Well, I hope...
turquoisedude
Well-known member
This scared the wits out of me at first... That hole in the agitator base plate looked like it was a bad thing. But after I cleaned it up, I realized the hole is perfectly round and concluded this was intentional. Given that the original boot was pretty torn up, there had been a good amount of water gathering in here. That problem with go away on re-assembly.
Well, assuming I can get the washer back together again... As mentioned, I'll have to put my thinking cap on to replace the original gaskets. Hopefully there will be more progress to report after this coming long weekend.
Well, assuming I can get the washer back together again... As mentioned, I'll have to put my thinking cap on to replace the original gaskets. Hopefully there will be more progress to report after this coming long weekend.
christfr
Well-known member
your getting there lookin good
stricklybojack
Well-known member
.
Lovin' this Paul!
Lovin' this Paul!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
So....
I spent most of last week visiting with jetcone (Jon), Greg, Fred Nelson, and Phil down on the 'cape and did some substitute parts shopping along the way. My plan for this past weekend was to water-test the outer tub to make sure that center boot was still OK (It looked good, but looks can be deceiving in this game!).
I intended to use the old tub to pump drain hose; probably not a good call to begin with but I managed to mess it up when I tried to reinstall it...
I spent most of last week visiting with jetcone (Jon), Greg, Fred Nelson, and Phil down on the 'cape and did some substitute parts shopping along the way. My plan for this past weekend was to water-test the outer tub to make sure that center boot was still OK (It looked good, but looks can be deceiving in this game!).
I intended to use the old tub to pump drain hose; probably not a good call to begin with but I managed to mess it up when I tried to reinstall it...
turquoisedude
Well-known member
While cleaning it, I noticed a small tear which was probably the reason for the rust at the inner tub outlet and leakage on the pump itself.
Trying to get the not-all-that-flexible-anymore lip around the tub drain outlet did not go according to plan... As my late grandmother would say 'Well, that's torn it, duckie'. Sigh....
I tried to get a sink drain flange like what I used on the '57 Hotpoint but I bought one that was just a wee bit too big. I'll be doing a tour of the local plumbing stores in and around St-Hyacinthe this week to hopefully find something that will fit.
I was kinda ticked off, but I had a couple of new machines to play with and that took my mind off things. I'll be posting about them in detail but just to tease everyone, who knows what the Jacobs company made back in the late 1940s??? Stay tuned...
Trying to get the not-all-that-flexible-anymore lip around the tub drain outlet did not go according to plan... As my late grandmother would say 'Well, that's torn it, duckie'. Sigh....
I tried to get a sink drain flange like what I used on the '57 Hotpoint but I bought one that was just a wee bit too big. I'll be doing a tour of the local plumbing stores in and around St-Hyacinthe this week to hopefully find something that will fit.
I was kinda ticked off, but I had a couple of new machines to play with and that took my mind off things. I'll be posting about them in detail but just to tease everyone, who knows what the Jacobs company made back in the late 1940s??? Stay tuned...
turquoisedude
Well-known member
So....
The stars aligned very nicely late last week. Hubby headed off to a summer meeting on Thursday and the weather forecast was looking iffy for most of the weekend of the 9th and 10th of July. But since I'm retired, I took off on Thursday night bound for Ogden with one mission in mind - get that ABC back together again!
I still had some parts to replace though and I made some creative purchases... Anyone who heard rumours of weird-sounding guy in the weatherstripping aisle of the Home Depot in Cape Cod, well, that was me! LOL
The stars aligned very nicely late last week. Hubby headed off to a summer meeting on Thursday and the weather forecast was looking iffy for most of the weekend of the 9th and 10th of July. But since I'm retired, I took off on Thursday night bound for Ogden with one mission in mind - get that ABC back together again!
I still had some parts to replace though and I made some creative purchases... Anyone who heard rumours of weird-sounding guy in the weatherstripping aisle of the Home Depot in Cape Cod, well, that was me! LOL
turquoisedude
Well-known member
But I still had to figure out what to do for a tub drain... I wound up using a bathtub drain flange. It fit, but I couldn't find a nut to fasten it to the tub bottom. I set it ever so carefully into place with LOTS of blue silicone.
I let that set overnight on Friday.
I let that set overnight on Friday.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Imagine my relief when I poured some water into the tub Saturday morning and found it held vater!
So, while waiting for the inner cabinet to dry, I figured I'd spiff up the wash tub. 60-some odd years of detergent residue came off surprisingly easily.
So, while waiting for the inner cabinet to dry, I figured I'd spiff up the wash tub. 60-some odd years of detergent residue came off surprisingly easily.
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Now for my first creative washer part substitution using weatherstripping...
At the top of an ABC or Kelvinator washer there is a rubber strip that covers the water exit holes so that all the water doesn't get splashed out during the wash cycle. But when the washer spins, the strip will flex and allow the water out. Needless to say the original strip was in pretty bad shape in the washer, but with a bit of cutting, a self-adhesive door sweep did the trick!
At the top of an ABC or Kelvinator washer there is a rubber strip that covers the water exit holes so that all the water doesn't get splashed out during the wash cycle. But when the washer spins, the strip will flex and allow the water out. Needless to say the original strip was in pretty bad shape in the washer, but with a bit of cutting, a self-adhesive door sweep did the trick!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
I had noticed an awful lot of grease and goo on the inside of the washer cabinet. Some of the 'things' looked like dust bunnies that had detoured via the La Brea Tar Pits...
I used varsol to clean the base up and wow, what a difference it made. I even wipe the generations of dust off the wires - can't make any mistakes now... LOL
I used varsol to clean the base up and wow, what a difference it made. I even wipe the generations of dust off the wires - can't make any mistakes now... LOL
turquoisedude
Well-known member
The last thing I did on Saturday was to clean up the cover of what ABC called the 'vacuum breaker' for the fill flume. It looked pretty bad, so I treated it and the part of the back cabinet where this is installed to a coat of appliance epoxy.
And while this dried overnight, I treated myself to an evening of Hi-Fi therapy starring Benny Goodman, the '56 GE Hifi, and several darn nice gin and tonics....
And while this dried overnight, I treated myself to an evening of Hi-Fi therapy starring Benny Goodman, the '56 GE Hifi, and several darn nice gin and tonics....
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