Philco Restoration, Part One

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One of my all time favorite washers is my Philco Flex-A-Wash washer with the "Blades Of Water" wash action. This is one of the washers we saved from the farm in Aberdeen, and I had an extra one that I saved for many years as a parts donor. Have had them sitting here for over three years, so I finally got the energy and ambition to attemp a restoration and make one good one out of two.............This is what the washer looked like at the start:

 

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This model has the famous "Contour Fill", but had been outside in the elements for many years, and the tub and most of the components were in pretty sad shape: Rusty tub is shown here:

 

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Had an extra rubber part for the agitator, but its not the greatest, was saving it for a pattern in case I needed to make a new one...........

 

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Starting the disassembly, the tub is in pretty rusty condition. Can you imagine what the previous owners clothes must have looked like in water that rusty?

 

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Agitator removed

 

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Worn agitator parts..............

 

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Close up of the Philco bellows, looks very similar to a Frigidaire bellows........

 

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This washer was rescued from its outside location, and the bottom was on the ground for many years, and suffered some rust damage, but nothing really serious..........

 

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Photo here of the motor still installed. I got this motor to run, but alas the pump was cracked. I will end up using the motor and pump from my donor washer which was still good.......

 

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Close up of the Philco motor. The pump seal was a weak spot of this design, as when it would leak it would get the motor wet and ruin it if not caught in time........I will save this motor as an extra........

 

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I had been saving any and all Philco parts for many years, all that I could ever find...........here is a few extra agitator parts that will help make this a working washer again!

 

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Moved the washer outside, with the top removed and started hosing the S Dakota dirt and rusticles out of the machine........

 

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After what seemed like hours of soaking the tub in Super Iron Out, #320 Wet/Dry sanding, Comet cleanser, fine steel wool, I finally got the tub back to its pretty blue/aqua color. I think Philco was one of the few manufacturers to use a colored tub in its washers..........

 

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Here is a pic of the extra washer that I tore down to use for extra parts. This was a BOL model, but the major components were the same......The washer that Im keeping is in the background......

 

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Close up of the Philco transmission. This is the one that will actually go in the washer that Im keeping. I kept the original bottom, used this donor transmission as the S Dakota tranny had a leak at its main seal, used the S Dakota outer tub, whew! this was a total tear down, but the results Im hoping will be worth the work!...........

 

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Most of the tub parts reinstalled, now its starting to look like a Philco washer again!..........

 

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Painting the bottom with POR-15.........This will stop that pesky rust dead in its tracks.......

 

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More POR-15 painting.........

 

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Here is the top, detached from the washer, getting ready for a good cleaning after many years of neglect.......

 

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Basic components back together, doing a make-shift hook up, will it hold water? Will it work?

 

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Filled with water, the anticipation as to if its going to leak is almost too much........so far no leaks....Yeah!

 

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Motor and assembly.........No Leaks!!!

 

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Setting up the test run and outside hook up.......

 

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Getting ready for its first load of wash in many many years!...........

 

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Miracles do happen,,,,,,,,it works!

 

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This is the famous Philco "Undertow" wash action,
AKA "Flex-A-Wash".........

 

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More "Undertow" wash action and the water movement thru the center filter housing.....

 

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Philco spinning..........alas its not the best spinner, I think at about 550rpm......not sure, maybe others can help with this number?

 

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Philco draining.........The satisfaction of seeing it work and knowing that its going to be a working washer again is so gratifying! Next step, part 2 of the restoration will be making the cabinet presentable again and then attacking the dryer........

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Congratulations Jimmy:

Hey! Jimmy, "Congratulations" on your success of getting 1- Washer out of 2-Washers operating. I'm curious to know, how did the Water stay in the Tub, with the Drain Hose sitting lower that the Tub Top? It looks great, can't wait to see the whole Washer back together again. What a wonderful "Work of Art" and a great Job at getting rid of all the Rust in the Tub.

It should certainly give you many years of fun operating this Philco Washer. Are any of your Philco Dryers a Match to this Washer?

Peace, Happy Philco Washing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...