Taking Apart a Bendix Economat

[Unimatic1140]

Now its time to remove the pump.  Again there was two pumps and this is the early version.  I was surprised to see that Bendix had outsourced this pump to another company.  Later on it appears they built their own.  The pump not only has to remove the water, but also remove the air from the tub to make it collapse and extract water from the clothes.  I can read part of the date stamp, but the year has worn off unfortunately.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Finally I remove the timer, you can see the suction release valve that is built right into the timer.  When extract is over the rubber seat is lifted and air is sent through this tube into the tub to release the pressure.

 

[Unimatic1140]

With the parts machine done I now filled the other Bendix with water (the one that I've had for 10 years) to see where it was leaking from.  Unforutnately it was from the rubber tub.  In pulling out the tub I discovered that under the metal plate it has all sorts of detergent residue on it as well as at the bottom of the tub.  I'm soaking them now in hot water and will scrub all of that off, hopefully that will make for a good seal again.

 

More to come when that task is completed.

 

[macboy91si]

Vacuum

The idea of a vacuum bladder washer is neat. Thanks for the detailed shots of a neat, rare machine. How durable are these rubber tubs with normal use? I know they would be susceptible to puncture, but the actual rubber on the one you removed seemed in good shape. Does your tub read "Goodyear" around the rim? Thanks -Tim

 

[combo52]

RUBBER TUB BENDIX

Neat to see you working on this washer, I was playing with ours last weekend, if you need any parts for these I have a box of used parts for these, sorry no good tubs. I had never seen the earlier water pump before I wonder what it looks like inside?. The later round pump was not a Bendix built pump either but rather a Gorman-Rupp pump almost the same one used in the 1956-1958 33" WP built KM & WP combos.

 

[spin-it]

Robert:
Loved the photos and the step by step chronicle of the breakdown. Relatively simple machine. For now it's the closest I will get, the search continues. Thanks,
Kevin

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Oh this is what I've been waiting for!!! Do you have any videos? Nice machines Robert!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Rubber Tub

Hi Robert, such a simple design, was fascinated seeing it in action (well listening to the sounds!!!) with you in 2001, always wondered how the insides would look, great show...

Just how thick is the rubber tub?? your first model seems to have a darker coloured tub and a more supple appearance, is this grey one thicker??

Happy fixing, Mike

 

[swestoyz]

Very cool tear down Robert. I've always thought that Bendix copied Maytag's Model E transmission for these. They look similar, have a similar splined agitator shaft, and internally are quite alike. They must have been different enough that the boys in Newton didn't cry fowl.

Hopefully the tub is good from the parts machine that it can be used in the later Bendix. The Crosley though, that's where the money is!

Those weird screws - they're Gulmite screws. Maytag used them for the same application, and I've also seen Bendix use them on the Duomatic door hinges.

Ben

BTW - thought you'd enjoy this sheet discussing the date stamp for the General rubber tubs.

 

[jamman_98]

Theory on the Odd Rubber Valve

I believe the odd valve is for letting excess air out of the top. If the clothes are being squeezed out there might be some excess air that needs to come out. To prevent the round top from losing it's seal on the tub, the valve would let off the pressure. Like a safety valve.

 

Just a thought

 

Joe

jamman_98

 

[joelippard]

This is alot of fun to see such a unique machine being taken apart, I look forward to seeing the rest of the process.

 

[appnut]

Yep, Mike remembder we stood there and wtche3d it wash (reminded me so much of a Maytag) and then listened to it ha ha ha.   Just think you experienced 1140 rpm Unimatics and a rubber tub Bendix all in one weekend.  Talk about extremes. 

 

[300c]

My Next Door Neighbor Had One of These

Robert, fascinating! I remember when I was a young lad in the early 1960s that my next door neighbor had a 1951 Bendix top loader with the rubber tub that squeezed the clothes rather than spinning them. She used to let me look it over. She had bought it new and had to replace it around 1966. She traded it in for a BOL GE Filter-Flo.

I hope you can make some videos of these machines.

 

[westie2]

Thanks Robert fo all the pictures. This sure brings back memories of my grandmothers. Hers was a semi=automatic that you had to fill with a hose attached to the sink faucet. She had hers from about 1951 until the mid 60's when my grandfather left a nail in a pocket and it runined th tub and they were not able to get another. They bought a MOL Whirlpool. I can still hear it running in my mind.

 

[peteski50]

Bendix!

Thank you Robert for posting - this brings back a lot of memories when I was a tot my grandparents neighbors had one. I liked the sounds it made and I look back and have many fond memories of this machine! Best Of Luck with the restore!
Peter

 

[washernoob]

Seeing that rubber tub is really cool! Never really could visualize what it looked like out of the tub.

Im sure it will be like new when you finish it!

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Just how thick is the rubber tub?? your first model seems to have a darker coloured tub and a more supple appearance, is this grey one thicker??
Hey Mike, actually its pretty thick rubber.  All of the rubber tubs I have are in generally good shape, I'm thinking it was leaking  between the rubber and hold down plate.

Thanks Ben for the date stamp info, that is cool! The early parts machine tub is a B and the later one is a D.  The Crosley is a Good Year tub.

 

I believe the odd valve is for letting excess air out of the top.

Joe that is a really good theory, makes sense to me.

 

[mickeyd]

What I wouldn't give!

 

 

Either we kidnap Drew Cousteau with his underwater camera to Robert's so he can film the squeezing or we chip in and buy Robert his own to film the deep sea wonders, and then we'll have Nirvana right here in Earth before the Aliens come. The belly wiggles in mirth.

 

[a440]

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Great pictures of the breakdown Robert.</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Thanks for taking the time to post them.</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">What an interesting machine!</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino;">Brent</span>

 

[spankomatic]

<span style="font-size: medium;">Great photos,Robert. I'm curious... Does this machine have a filter? Looks like one might go down the agitator like a Maytag. It just has me wondering......</span>

<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span>

<span style="font-size: medium;">Jim</span>