Restoration of the 1960 Frigidaire WCIR-60

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

rickr

rickr

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2003
Messages
4,081
Location
.
Well, this is a "work in progress" so this is not up and running just yet. I have to get the electrical wiring figured out, and a new tub nut machined to fit the inner bellows.

I am installing a Rollermatic transmition, in place of the original Multimatic. This has been a kind of a nightmare, and if this machine were not so beautiful, I would not even bother with it. However, it is a very unique style of Frigidaire, so it must be saved.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-06-45.jpg
 
.

I got this beautiful empty cabinet and two control panels from Greg Nunn a few years ago. Greg also sent me a Multimatic transmition for parts. I also bought a 61 Custom Imperial with a Multimatic to use as a parts machine for this 60.

No such luck! The torque springs were bent up in both transmitions, among other things wrong with both the Multimatics I had so far. So, this empty cabinet sat in the garage for a few years.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-15-44.jpg
 
.

Greg had told me of a service bulletin he had ran across one time that stated that the 59 though 64 machines could be updated with the 65 to 69 Rollermatic transmitions, so I started to hunt for a Rollermatic. Steve Riley had one in scrap machine, so he was kind enough to remove the transmition and from the scrap machine and send it to me.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-25-25.jpg
 
.

So, I have been working on this project for a last few weeks. Every time I try and move forward, something else won't quite fit. However, thanks to a machinist, and help from my partner, the Rollermatic is now installed.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-30-59.jpg
 
love the pics and the washer itself!

what a beautiful console! love the way the control dial rersembles the later rollermatic models like i have.

you are able to have a tub nut machined, interesting!

and what a beautiful panel that is when lit by that flourescent lite.

would love to see pics of the tub and pulsator. good luck with it, you are making me anxious to resume work on my rollermatics here as soon as the weather warms a bit!
 
Last nite's bedtime thoughts after the Uni/Multi/Pulsa/R

How am I going to explain to them the Frigidaire that our neighbor Rose had. I remember two handles on the left side of the machine. I don't know how to work them. Looked like you could slip your hand around them. I have never seen the machine anywhere else, even in my 3 years here at Aworg. Had to be somewhere around 1960. Just a kid.

Holy sh** Rick ! That is a dead ringer! Is telepathy possible? Beautiful.
 
Here was another thing that would not work...

The hub for the spin tub! The center hole was too large. (this tub was out of the 61 parts machine) So, the machinist made an insert, so the tub hub will now fit.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-35-56.jpg
 
One more pixs, before I hit the bed...

Will post more tomorrow night.

This machine has a suds saver system! Very rare for a Frigidaire of this vintage! At the lower right, is the suds valve, and at the lower left is the electric pump for the suds return.

I serviced the pump motor, and it runs fine. I hope the pump itself does not leak, as well as the suds valve. If they leak, I will simply bypass the suds system. The replacement parts would be impossible to find.

rickr++2-16-2010-22-46-34.jpg
 
Wow.

I never have seen that model before. Even as a child, I would look through Mom's Good Housekeeping and others for the appliance porn and never saw that model.

Beautiful Machine. and as always Fantastic Work Rick. Eddie
 
Great adapation

Now, that's ingenuity! I tip my hat to you on bringing a machine like this back with such a major 'organ transplant'. Once more, proof that where there's a will, there's a way! Great job!! Can't wait to see more!!
 
Rick

I really admire what you're doing here. I've done enough work on Frigidaires now to know that nothing you are doing is easy. I hope everything turns out well. Thanks for the pictures, keep us up to date.

Joe
 
The new brass pump is gorgeous

and the pic of the rollers mechanism is detailed enough for entry-men like me to study. Wonderful.

About the suds-saver: If it works leak-free, that would be awesome; but if not, don't sweat it. We only had one in the family. It needed to be primed every time it was used. (And that was only by me whenever I visited ;>) It is a slow, weak pump--2&1/2 gallons per minute--maybe the slowest pump in washerdom. You have to skip the "Lint Away Wash" or else the heat and suds will be diluted by half, unless that's what you want. Think GM added it on just to keep up with the Jonses, and it didn't last and was never popular. But if it works, what a great rare toy.

Can't see where to select it on your baby. On ours, it was marked on the Wash Temp Dial.

Good luck with this, Rick--a rare gem indeed!
 
Thanks guys! Keep your fingers crossed and maybe I'll get this "Frankendaire" up and running someday. <:

I'll post more pixs tonight.
 
Wow Rick, facinating make-over! Great solution to the shaft problem. Nice to having a machine shop available to facilitate a custom bushing for the tub hub. Very cool. I wonder if a hub from a 63 and later tub would have worked in place.

What I am most curious about is how you were able to get the timer and fabric control to integrate with the Rollermatic Mechanism. The 1960 is a crazy design the motor contactor in the panel to control spin speeds, etc. Am I correct in saying that the Rollermatic mechanism you put in place is the 2 speed 710 RPM?

Ben
 
Hi Ben, you are correct in that the 1965 transmition came out of a two speed machine with a high speed of 710 rpm, and low speed of 465 rpm. That is ok though. At least this way this machine can be used again. Otherwise it is only a "theatre prop"

My brother is an electician, so he can figure out the wiring. I printed the manuals for the 65 and 59 models from this site, and my bro is taking them home to study. I am sure he will be able to figure something out. The transmition, snubber plate, and spin tub are installed, so i think the hardest parts are over.

Does anyone else out there have this model? I think Scott from L.A. had this same model when he was living in Minnesota, but I don't think he took it with him when he moved to L.A.

As I remember the story, Robert found the machine I am working on, years ago.
 
The '60 wiring is somewhat different from the '59 wiring. I'll scan the diagram and post it here for your reference this evening.

Scott's washer still lives in the midwest. The 1960 is my absolute favorite Frigidaire control panel besides the 63.
 
Thanks Ben! I will watch for the post.No wonder I am having some problems figuring out the motor wiring!

I could have installed a Rapid-dry transmition, but could not find one. I almost parted out the 1966 Custom Imperial that I painted turquoise for the Rapid-dry transmition for this 1960, but decided I wanted both of them restored instead. <:
 
BTW: Do you know if Scott's 60 Custom Imperial runs? Just curious if there are any of these out there in running condition.
 
Two of My Favorites

Viola Johnson, the postmistress in our home town of 300, had that washer. I always associate it with Rit advertisements. I last visited her in 1884 and it was still running without a repair. Her first washer was a Frigidaire with the knob on the front of the cabinet that washed for her three boys. Her husband, our school bus driver, died in the late 60's so it had a relatively easy life.
1960 was a banner year for Frigidaire. All their appliances were styling wonders. So two of my favorites, Rick and the Frigidaire, make some great eye candy in a washer thread. Good luck!
 
1960 CUSTOM IMPERIAL PAIR

Tom has a pair of 1960s at our museum they both work Tom used them for several years. I am impressed you are trying this transplant I don't think I would have ever tried this. Greg I would like to see the service bulletin that said this could be done as I have never heard of such a conversion.
 
Hey Rick -

I just sent you a copy of the wiring diagram. I wanted to make sure you got a nice large copy of it, vs. the reduced size you'd see posted here.

I think Jimmy has a 1960 WCI set, and Rich had one as well. Scott's machine runs fine the last time I used it.

Talk to you later ----

Ben
 
Hi Kelly!!

I last visited her in 1884 and it was still running without a repair."

All I can say is, you look remarkably youthful for someone who goes back so far...

Not only that Sandy, thats a HELL of a testimonial for a Multimatic! Maybe I should have tried to repair the Multimatic.... NOT! <:

I did not know there were that many still out there. Wonder why these don't turn up very often?
 
Rick,

Is the last button on the far right the one that controls the suds, or does the control not have a way to do it--as yet!-- in your "Frankendaire" creation ?
 

Similar threads

P
Making a Frigidaire RS-35 range knob
Replies
7
Views
189
piglet
P
S
Hotpoint, Speed Queen, and a few Frigidaires
Replies
18
Views
220
48bencix
4
losangeles
Pulsator column for 1960 Frigidaire washer Model ADP-60
Replies
0
Views
9
losangeles
losangeles
richardc1983
Fisher & Paykel DH9060FS1 9Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer Review: Truly innovative technology
Replies
25
Views
2K
lavamat_jon
L
A
Thank you for your help. Another saved from the scrap yard!
Replies
5
Views
106
appnut
appnut

Latest posts

Back
Top