need help cahnging belt on gm frigidaire 1-18

[iei1960]

hi - i'm new to you guys, but i think you're my best bet.
i recently moved into a new (old) place and the washer is a 1976 gm frigidaire 1-18, which works great. at least it did until the belt broke. it seems to be o/w in good condition, but is it worth fixing - or is something else just going to break?
also, while i am trying to locate a replacement belt (i am in the cincinnati area and not having much luck yet) i can't figure out at all how you would spool the new belt back on; there are a couple motors and brackets in the way and i don't want to start pulling everything apart. there's 2 pic's below for reference.
thanks in advance for any help...
ivan

btw, it has a 1-18 dryer (which works perfect) and some kinda stove called a magic chef series vi, presumably from 1976, which works great up top, but we can't get the pilot lights lit to use the oven...

 

[joelippard]

Welcome.

This is fairly easy.  Posted below are the instructions from the manual on how to properly do this.  I purchased my replacement belt at ACE hardware.  It is not a "special" clutching type belt but just a standard general purpose belt.  Mine was made by MBL company and is a 3L310.  I believe it is a 31" belt.  Take the old one with you when you go get one.  You will have to remove the pump hoses, be sure to mark them all so you don't mix anything up and plan accordingly.  Those stock clamps are a pain to remove and reinstall so you may want to consider using band type clamps for reinstallation.

 

[joelippard]

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[iei1960]

thanks a lot!
we will check our local hardware stores and see if we can pull it off...

 

[jetcone]

nothing finer than

a 1-18 thumping away!

Good luck, its pretty easy just follow the steps Joel put up, sometimes I struggle to get the belt off the motor pulley ,its tight between the tub bottom and pulley so I usually drop the two outboard motor bolts and the whole motor assembly dangles slightly to make a little more room to get the belt off. The motor will drop off that way if you aren't watchful.

jet

 

[volvoguy87]

I'm local.

I work at Cincinnati Appliance Parts on Gilbert Ave. across the river from you.
If you know the model number of your washer (do all 1-18s take the same belt?) or a Frigidaire part number, I can see if we can get it for you.

Give the store a call (513) 221-1195 and ask for Dave or just show up and I'll see what I can find for you. I didn't know there was a 1-18 that close!

Best ofr luck,
Dave

 

[76speedqueen]

Thanks for these postings you guys!

Now If I ever need to put a new belt (I already have one) on my avocado 1-18 I will know what I am doing!

 

[iei1960]

she's running like a champ!

thanks so much!
we were able to change the belt successfully! i found the belt a local hardware store for $5. the hoses were all in good shape, so that was good; we just had some trouble with the clamps (even though we had clamp pliers) and ended up just throwing a new clamp on one hose, but other than that it went pretty much like you said - it was just challenging working around everything. dropping the motor and sliding the belt on once we got there though was definitely a cinch. we hooked her back up, threw in a load, and it went to town! amazing!
thanks again!

 

[joelippard]

Glad to hear it!

Do whatever you have to in order to take care of that machine and keep it running.  You will not find anything available today that will compare to it in the slightest.

 

[76speedqueen]

I Agree with joelippard

I have never had cleaner clothes than with my 1-18 I have owned many washers and this to me has outperformed them all.There is nothing on the market that compares today in my opinion.

 

[tklynn]

question for volvoguy87

Hi,
I know this post is a couple years old but I'm looking for help for my mom's Frigidaire 1-18 dryer. I think it's the belt but not sure - the drum won't spin. Wondered if volvoguy87 is still in the Cincinnati area and if I can contact him at Cincinnati Appliance Parts?
Thank you!

 

[volvoguy87]

Contact made.

Thanks for putting forth the effort to fix the dryer. Hopefully it's just a 5300638957 belt.

Dave