Texas WO-65 Status

[DADoES]

Austin and Venus came down Sunday afternoon for a look at the treasure. It's cleaning up beautifully! We got started on the motor start switch situation and immediately ran into four ornery pump plate screws. GRRRrrr. I imagine there'll be plenty more gotchas.

Well, even if it takes YEARS to get in proper working order, or never gets done at all, I don't much care. I'll still have it and the Krusher won't, whoohooo!!

 

[jetcone]

Thats the Spirit!

Glenn once you are past the pump its like cracking open a Lobster all the meat is at your feet!

Jets Tip of the Day:

Brush the threads of all pump screws off with a steel brush, then coat them with Loctite before assembly. That will seal the threads from detergent intrusion in the future so you can take the pump off easily later. It never fails with Unimatics you get them all back together humming along nicely for a year and then one day UFN -UGLY FAN NOISE happens and that means dreaded pump disassembly again.

 

[retromom]

WO-65

Glenn:

All I can say is...."she's a beaut!" What a great washer. I can't believe how perfect the tub is and how clean it is underneath (thank heavens no critters scurried out). Her chrome accents are magnificent!

I thought we were the only ones who had deal with ornery screws that refuse to budge. Usually it's only one. How did you come up with four? In the meantime, I would definitely change out the power cord to a grounded one, lest you receive any other *shocking* surprises.

You know that this is going to be a labour of love. Spray on some more PB (aka "PATIENCE BOYS!")and take your time. She is a true Texas woman...a little rough around the edges, but she cleans up real good!! ;-)

Of course you know that Austin and I will be back to assist in her restoration.

Congrats again!
Venus

 

[westytoploader]

Fix-In #1...FUN!

The afternoon started with running a load of 8 pairs of jeans in the F&P. Very splashy wash (compared to watching the videos of the GWL08, the IWL12 has a smooth but very quick stroke on certain settings, and water will splash out of the machine) and lots of water drama during the fill and EcoActive cycle as well!

The WO-65 is absolutely STUNNING, and very SOLID! I was surprised at how HEAVY it was...and built better than my Bendix! The tub and agitator are in PERFECT shape, with the exception of the dropped ring. I didn't see any rust in the outer cabinet either. And that 1140 RPM spin is something else!

Mom talked and enjoyed a cold beer with Glenn's dad, and took many pictures while Glenn & I worked on the machine. We detailed the chrome and porcelain top, vacuumed the cobwebs out of the underside and tub, and removed and scrubbed the cross-brace. We were going to fix the motor start winding problem, however, neither Glenn nor I could remove 4 of the pump cover screws!! Glenn's dad did come up with some great ideas on how to remove the screws more easily, and thought an impact driver would get them loosened up, so we'll see what happens. I figure that if the impact driver doesn't work, then they must be REALLY stuck in there!

It cleaned up wonderfully! Most of the grime and corrosion on the chrome and porcelain came right off with a good wiping/scrubbing! Check out the pictures, and here's what it looks like after all that elbow grease! I have an idea that the rags used during the restoration should be saved and used for the maiden wash!

Oh, by the way Glenn, sorry we didn't have time to use the Coffeemaster C-50...maybe next time we can bring the Silex "narrow-neck" as well!

--Austin

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=14@Happy%20App'villers%20and%20the%[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/WESTYTOPLOADER

 

[pdub]

Stunning!

Glenn,

Your machine is absolutely beautiful. I know you've probably heard it a million times. Congratulations.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of 50 year old washer Restora

Great pictures you guys! Oh well, sometimes it takes a lot of work and patience before that "maiden washload" can take place, but it makes it all the more fun when it happens.

Here is some tips for those screws:

The screws are really long and they go all the way up into the motor end bell. Try heating the motor end bell (carefully not to burn any wires or other components) at the point where each of those four screws are screwed into the bell.

Next be sure to have a screwdriver with a blade that matches the length of the screw slot as closely as possible.

Be sure to lock the middle of the screwdriver with a vice grip and push in really hard on the end of the screwdriver. If there are two of you, one can push and the other can turn. All this should happen after heating the end of the motor bell.

When you get the screw to start to turn, turn it back the other way and oscillate the screw back and forth slowly but surly going a little bit further with the left turn with each oscillation.

Welcome to working on 50 years old automatics. No you see why some of us have to time for television!

 

[golittlesport]

Hi Glen
I know those rings on the agitator are like hen's teeth to find. Here is tip passed on to me by Jimmy Filter Flo you can try. Use a round-style Hoover vac belt (like for a Hoover Convertible) and stretch it around the agitator. One below the ring and one above should hold it in place for a splashy wash.

 

[westytoploader]

I might have a few Hoover Convertible/Eureka upright round belts; I'll see what I can find.

As for another important piece of information, I noticed that the tub does not "squeak" at the end of spin.

 

[gansky1]

Just use some clear silicone to hold that ring in place, looks authentic and holds forever...

 

[rickr]

washer repair guy's

Well you guys will get that baby in shape,and I am sure it won't take years either. Look how fast you got it cleaned up! And it sure shines like new! Just follow the tips the Frigidaire experts give you and it will be ready for it's first wash before you can say;"up and down and up and down and up and down". Very nice photos also.Thanks for sharing.

Rick

 

[rocky2]

Despite the setback, it must still be exciting to slowly bring it back to life. She's cleaning up beautifully. Keep it up guys. Looking forward to the day we see the videos of the maiden wash. Thanks for the pics.

By the way Austin, in one of the other threads from a while back, I wanted to complement you on the great job you've done with your Bendix.

 

[retromom]

47 Bendix

Hey Nelson:

Don't forget, mom held the sides together whilst Austin put the screws back in!LOL

 

[rocky2]

Hi Venus,

I'm sure Austin appreciated the help. It's great when more than one family member share the same interest in collecting. It sure beats having them roll their eyes and giving that "Oh Lord, what the hell are you dragging home now!" look LOL.