The Bendix Power Surge Washer

[Unimatic1140]

Brent the towels came out just fine, everything was clean, of course the phosphated vintage Cheer helps too

Austin this washer uses a Spring and Leaf suspension system, very similar to what is on the Norge which also does not use any extra weight in the tub for balance. With the pump removed you can see the suspension system.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Tonight I replaced the pump (bad pump on the left) and the machine is much quieter, its a good thing I found I had an extra Philco-Bendix pump, no wonder why the old pump was making so much noise...

 

[filterflo]

Just love that washer Robert, being a big fan of Bendix and Philco. Just a quick thought: was there ever a companion dryer to go with the washer? All the Bendix dryers Ive seen from this time frame seem much larger in cabinet size than these washers.......wonder if Bendix had in mind a matching dryer........

 

[tlee618]

Well Robert after seeing that pump, I guess we know now that this machine has seen some use. Looked so "new" on the outside. Glad that you had a new pump "on hand"!! Terry

 

[peteski50]

Bendix Powerserge

Hi Robert,
I love this washer. Even though the pump was bad it still looks good under the hood. I would love to actually see how the disk moves at the bottom of the tub.
Best Wishes
Peter

 

[frontaloadotmy]

FilterFlo

In gansky1's link 7 of 9 seems to imply that it was just paired with the basic "super-fast" dryer with a matching
formica top.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Yes I'm not sure about the matching dryer, I think all Bendix dryers at that time were 30" wide.

 

[gansky1]

Aaaaaak! Look at that pump! Thank goodness for that "Magic Parts Box" you have!

That matching dryer was "Super-Fast" because it had a very high airflow, 210 cfm and it could be connected to a 50 amp line for 8000 watts of drying power (like the WP/KM). The gas model had a BTU input rating of 33,000. I acutally found a 1957 model of that dryer in a shop in Nebraska a long time ago and they wouldn't sell it to me, the lying liars kept telling me it was sold! ;-)

 

[lightedcontrols]

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!!!

What a GREAT find. Can't wait to see them in action! Mark

 

[JerseyMike]

Wow!

Whoever owned this machine took very good care of it! It looks mint from the outside. The pump's condition suggests that that this machine saw more then some use. Good thing that you had an extra pump on hand! Did you find the source of the leaks?

Mike

 

[Unimatic1140]

Yes the source of the leak of water from the wash tub into the outer tub is between the bottom of the spin tub and the rubber boot. I thought it was between the agitator disk and boot, but that seals perfectly.

Unfortunately that means removing the tub to get at the boot retaining ring. Something I don't have time to start until at least early next week.

 

[mickeyd]

Thanks, Roberto

The interior of that pump looks like overly salamandered Creme Brulee, not very pretty but probably delicious.

Better, though, is the peek at the late fifties Pulsamatic. Is that the one that alternates hot and cold streams for warm? Gram's machine--I loved it. Hers had aqua or turk dials: water temp dial just as big and mighty as the cycle dial. Again, that machine has the fastest agitation I've ever seen. Do you know of anything faster?

Julia Child would love your immaculate doily (sp?)

Miguel

 

[Unimatic1140]

Update on the PowerSurge

Again, that machine has the fastest agitation I've ever seen. Do you know of anything faster?
Mike yes, the Apex bounce/wobbled the tub at 650 wpm, as opposed to the Pulsamatic's 630ppm, so it was slighlty faster.

Anyway so back to the PowerSurge washer. Well after a few more fun wash loads in the Thor-o-Matic that big rubber diaphragm boot at the bottom of the wash tub had failed. Where I pointed out there were wear areas where the boot meets the wash plate a large hole suddenly formed and let all the wash water drain from the wash tub down into the outer tub.

So here is the good news. The boots from the 1959-1960 Philco Automagic washers are very similar and have the exact same outer diameter. I have a few of those early Automagic boots brand new in my stash-o-parts. But, the inner diameter side of those boots has an extra lip on it compared to the power surge boot. So I took my exacto-blade and carefully trimmed that extra lip off the new boot. The Automagic boot works perfectly and should last for years to come!

YAY. This is good news Greg for both of us that the later boots work!

 

[tlee618]

So glad that you were able to solve the "boot" problem Robert. I will be looking forward to more pictures. Terry

 

[bobbyd32l]

w00h00!! I cant wait to see this one in action! Congrats on such a great find!! Post some more pics soon as well as vids!!

 

[appnut]

Incredible Robert. AYA!!

 

[JerseyMike]

Awesome!!!

I'm so glad that you were able to find a solution to the problem!

I can't wait to see this one in action!

Mike

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Robert. Glad you were able to solve boot problem. Dr. Manny invited me to come down to the shop to check out his progress on the Thor this morning. Roger is coming too. One of the problems is replacing the boot but Manny says he will find something.

Ross