More Hoover Twin Tub Woes/Questions

[launderess]

My TT's extractor basket is slightly out of alignment, and methinks a slack belt is to blame. One can see in my snaps of the basket how it is slighly off center when empty and becomes more so when doing large loads (well large for the twinne, a few towels or two king sized bed sheets). Anywho long story short is one correct in assuming the only way to replace the spin belt is to remove one or both of the bolts/nuts holding the spinner to the t-brace?

Next problem:

Had the TT on it's side dealing with the slack belt problem and noticed the rubber gasket which meets the bottom of the spin basket and is round the "spindle" which leads down to the base/pulley is developing a crack. As of now the crack is roughly 11 o'clock to 3 o'clock, but am very worried it will go all the way round. Applied a dab of "Seal All", but have a hunch it really will not work (what can one expect of 20-30 year old rubber gaskets). Are these gaskets easily replaced/found? Is this problem as bad as it seems/likely to get worse? Only wish to know before spend funds on a new pump, belts and hoses. Do not wish to do all that work only to have a washer that will need to be coddled or is in it's declining years.

Lesson learned about buying vintage washers sight unseen; Not a good idea unless one either knows who one is dealing with or willing to pays their money and take their chances. Had I known this washer, despite being "never used" was going to become a can of worms, would have perhaps passed.

Thanks all,

Launderess

 

[gizmo]

Hi Launderess

The spinner basket being off centre is pretty normal. You can easily adjust it but it really isn't necessary. The point where the spinner connects to the t-brace is a bearing set in a rubber mount. The rubbber mount has a steel plate with bolts through it which attach to the metal brace under the spinner. The bolts pass through slots in the steel plate. As they are slots and not round holes, you can adjust the position by slacking off the bolts a bit, moving the resilient mount a bit until the spinner is centred properly, then tightening the bolts again. It is a quick and easy job. If you move it the wrong way and it gets worse, no worry, just adjust it again. It can be adjusted fore/aft and port/starboard.

The other "gasket" is from memory called the resilient mount, with a bronze spin bearing set into its centre. They are still available but can be a bugger to replace. If it isn't leaking, ignore the crack. The rubber gets old and gets cracks into it but unless the crack goes right through then it won't leak. It only needs to be replaced when it leaks, or when the bearing is worn out.

The technology in these twinnies is extremely basic, you can do everything yourself. I woudln't fret about it needing some repairs at this stage. Once you replace a few bits and pieces it will wash small loads noisily and with much vibration for many years yet.
I haven't forgotten about yout pump, but my car has just blown a head gasket and the plumber is coming tomorrrow for the house so I am somewhat distracted from the important things in life like old washing machines at present. I should get to it by the end of the week....
I can salvage resilient mounts for you too if needed.

Best Wishes

Chris.

 

[launderess]

Thanks Chris,

The dab of "Seal All" when dried acutally seemed to to a bit of good in holding the "crack" together. Now that I know not to worry so much am not going to fool around with it further. Poured a cup or so of water into the spin basket, and checked the newspaper under the washer(from the day before's laundry), and while the pump still leaks, the area under the spin basket was dry. Will take this to mean no leak at present, so will leave well enough alone. When empty the spin basket is only slighly off centre, so can assume the few loads spun out previously were causing the tub to go unbalanced.

It really has been to hot to bother with all the palaver that twin tub laundering entails. Did try and so some of the bed linens the other day, but really can fit only one king sized sheet in the wash tub at one time. Seeing as I had several, and was in no mood to live "1900 House", put the rest into the washer.

Must find a longer drain hose, as the Hoover one is too short. Am eyeing those sold over in UK, that look like the later US Hoover drain hoses (that came from the back instead of top of the washer). Problem with using modern drain hoses is of course finding one that fits the pump. Am using an old washing machine hose (left over from our Malber)that "quick connects" at the sink, but is long enough to reach th washer.

Please don't worry about the pump and any other bits you may have for me. Continue on with your work/house and let me know when the time is right. Thanks for everything,

Launderess

 

[gizmo]

Hi Launderess

I had a bit of time spare today so I got to your pump. It is pretty good news. The body of the pump is good, the base and impeller are excellent. The only trouble is the rubber seal at the top, where the shaft to adjust which tub is being emptied, has perished and leaks. The rubber valves inside are perfect. I will see if it is available as a spare part, otherwise a standard oil seal from a bearing supply shop should fit. (fingers crossed)

What other parts are you after? I have a couple of castors for you, not sure if they are the same or not but we can try.

Some sort of generic drain hose should be available to fit the existing outlet on top. My machines are all rear panel outlet, to change you would have to put a hole on the back panel, not worth the bother and fuss.

Other less-good news - My car has a cracked cylinder head... $1000+....

!!!

chris

 

[launderess]

Sorry to hear bout your car!

It never ends, does it?

Thanks for the news about the pump! The current pump's rubber ring around the top part was cracked but did not leak. You can see this in my snaps of the washer. Tightly wrapping plumber's tape around the seal managed to make it tight enough to lock out air and allow the pump to work. Let us hope your ideas work regarding replacements! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

Actually took some spare castors had lying around from another washer to use on the twinnie. So far so good and was kind of glad to switch, as the hard rubber Hoover castors were destroying my floors!

Other parts?

Was going to order spare pump belts (red spot) and others to replace/have on hand as extras. Since Hoover has stopped making these units in the UK as well, it does seem prudent to lay in supplies while dealers there have them on their stocklists. If only we had known this back in the 1980's when Hoover discontinued TTs in the United States, could have snapped up lots of parts that probably went into the rubbish.

Still looking for a drain hose, and have seen pictures of the longer hose used on the later American Hoovermatic's and their cousins sold in the UK, not sure about the length though, and cannot find measurements anywhere.

Oh well, enough of my rambling, need to soder a loose connection on a transformer. Thanks again for all your assistance and hope all goes well with your car.

Launderess

 

[kenmore1978]

drain hoses

I bet if you went to a hardware store, you could find conversion couplings that go from one size to another to adapt different size drain hoses to the pump or to the hose that comes out of the pump. Hopefully you have one of those "old-line" hardware stores around staffed with people who know what they are doing.

 

[launderess]

Thanks Ken,

Don't want to go too deep on finding an exact hose as we all know this particular pump is not long for this world,and would need a hose that will also fit the new pump (when I get one).

For now the leaking while a major pain, has me more worried about it causing damage to the belts or other parts of the washer. As for protecting my floors/mopping up the mess, just ordered a job lot of "wee-wee" pads (those huge absorbent pads one puts beneath a puppy while training, or are used on the beds of those with bladder/bowel problems). These pads will hold almost a Hoover damn worth of water (see how nicely I kept this on topic?), and keep the floor beneath dry. It is as much as I can manage for now, so it will have to do.

Find the biggest use for the twinne so far in soaking dirty shirts and linens before laundering. Something one cannot do in a front loader. On the plus side since one is not actually "washing" can put more items than usual in the wash tub and not have them come out in a tangle. Tub soaking is also wonderful because all the gunk/soil falls to the bottm of the tub; one simply lifts items out of the water leaving the muck behind to be pumped out.

Keep those suggestions coming guys!