Montgomery Ward UFO-5639 A/C unit help.

[jholder75]

I just acquired my first vintage window air conditioner.
Montgomery Ward Signature 15,000 btu Model number UFO-5639
It blows nice and cool but the inside fan is horribly noisy on low and boy it is deafening when on high! I have come to conclusion that either there is too much lateral play in the motor shaft or the plastic fan has somehow managed to loosen itself from the metal ring with the allen set screw. I cannot budge the set screw. I do not want to damage this unit as it works very well but I would love for it to be quiet. I would appreciate any guidance and suggestions. Thank you!

 

[supersuds]

Did you find it in Knoxville? As far as I know, there never was a Montgomery Ward store here!

This looks like it was made by Frigidaire, and that makes me think the person who could help you would be our member PhilR. He has some Frigidaire window ACs. You might try emailing him in case he doesn't see this thread.

 

[combo52]

Frigidaire Built Window A/C

It is easy enough to see if the fan hub has come loose from the hub that has the set-screw in it, if so you need a new fan assembly, if not and much more likely is that the fan motor bearings are worn out and you need to replace the fan motor.

These were pretty good A/Cs back in the 70s when they were built, however this thing is among the most inefficient A/C EVER built, these smaller 240 volt units were often pretty bad in terms of operating cost, in addition the compressors were worked so hard because of the undersized condensers these A/Cs used they were not the longest lived machines.

[ They did put out really cold air however ]

John L.

 

[goatfarmer]

More than likely the motor shaft has too much play in it. WW Grainger would be one place to look for a replacement.

 

[jholder75]

Thank you for replies!

I don't know how to directly reply to each of you but I wanted to thank you all for your help.

Supersuds:
I bought it off a guy in Maryville for $40. It belonged to his mother and I believe he said she lived in Virginia. He said she used it to cool a 15x30 den and always ran it on high. He said it was quite loud but was very cold. They also removed it and cleaned it seasonally..
You could be right about it being made by Frigidaire because the compressor is massive and has that nice deep guttural sound when it kicks on. I did however trace some of the part numbers back to General Electric. The fan motor is definitely GE.

Combo52:
I do in fact need a new fan assembly as the noise got worse and after an autopsy the back portion where the hub mounts was fractured in several places spreading outward.
The Torin part number C-299156 / GA800-400-1 could not be found online. But the patent number did find some info about it - Pat# US2652190.
I did luck up at a local appliance repair shop and they had an almost exact same fan. Even the same brand! But it has a friction fit clamp to hold the hub onto the shaft and its a little smaller in width but it is working and quiet as can be!
I have found a Fasco 1-6006 that might actually be a good replacement and it isn't plastic.
I do agree it probably isn't the most energy efficient but it keeps a living room facing south west 68 and the next room about 70-72. I temped the air discharge last at a balmy 42* on low fan..

Goatfarmer:
I took the motor with me to appliance shop and had them check it out. They took it apart and checked the windings and oiled it up and said it was in great shape for its age.

 

[supersuds]

Looks like you've got things sorted out, congrats!

A GE-built AC from this era would have a (fairly compact) GE rotary compressor, I'm almost positive.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Great looking AC! A vintage AC is definitely on my list!

 

[jholder75]

Replies

Supersuds:
The compressor may have been "compact" for 1971 but this compressor is a beast in my book.. lol.. I will have to snap a pic of it when I pull it out of the window again.. So far I have just been enjoying it.. I do know the compressor from estimating size is about 12" high and probably 8" oval.. Reminds me of a crock pot, but taller.. lol

Ultramatic:
Thank you
I have seen you on the vintage appliance and electronics on FB, you are restoring a beautiful Maytag! I hope to see more pics! My dream is to have the Maytag 806 matching pair.
A guy in Jacksonville FL (Russ R.) has a practically new Hoover twin-tub that I would love to have also.

 

[supersuds]

Guess I'm not being clear...

To clarify: What I'm trying to get across is, your unit was made by Frigidaire, not GE, even though it has some GE made parts. A GE unit would have the rotary compressor. Your unit likely has a Tecumseh or Copeland reciprocating compressor.

Here's a link.

http://https//air-conditioner-man.tumblr.com/post/119741013104/1974-signature-room-air-conditioners-this-is-an#notes

 

[supersurgilator]

Holy Toledo 2760 watts! Just for a comparison I went online to the new cheap units and a 15,000 BTU uses 1230 watts. Crazytown! But also look at how many of the new ones you would have gone thru in the lifetime of this. Just don't make em like they used to.

 

[jholder75]

Compressor pics as promised.

These are pics of the compressor. It is still kicking but and keeps up and cycles perfectly. Meanwhile I have a newer (2005) Whirlpool 17,800 btu in the back of the house that struggles to keep up!