The rebirth of a 1956 Whirlpool Imperial Laundry Pair

[appliguy]

Yesterday Paul (turqouisedude) from Canada arrived in Beltsville to deliver 2 vintage appliances and to take possesion of  the 1956 Whirlpool Imperial  Laundry Pair that he is getting from John Lefever....here is a picture Revinkevin took of the pair last October .......while he is here he and John are going to rebuild the washer.....

[this post was last edited: 9/24/2011-09:13]

 

[appliguy]

I was was there to see the start of the tear down process an

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[appliguy]

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[appliguy]

3   Tub seems to be in really nice shape

 

[appliguy]

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[appliguy]

5. Hmmm...... maybe a little lubrication will help.......

 

[appliguy]

6. Then again maybe not...........sorry for the fuzzy picture I caught John in mid swing

 

[appliguy]

7. Even down between the outer tub and the cabinet looked pretty clean....

 

[appliguy]

8. and here is what is behind that awesome control panel

 

[appliguy]

another shot from the other side....unfortunately these are all the pictures I had time to take before I had to leave but there will be more photos to come if not taken by me then I am sure they will be taken by John or Paul stay tuned...PAT COFFEY

 

[turquoisedude]

Just got the photos I took during the weekend and the restoration process transferred - I took TONS but in the interest of not clogging up the board, I am not going to post each and every one as there have been other threads about reviving a Whirlpool/Kenmore (and yes, Inglis, too!) washer. I am going to document the process however and I will try to figure out how to post the finished product.
Now, on this particular washer, initial testing turned up a few issues... The motor started up and ran smoothly, but the washer wanted to spin and agitate at the same time and the tell-tale squeal heard meant bad bearings.
So, out came the original transmission!

 

[turquoisedude]

The original bearings were pounded out and the term 'shot to hell' applies here. Look at how bad they are compared to new ones!!

 

[turquoisedude]

The new ones look much better.

 

[turquoisedude]

The new transmission is an 80s model - compatible and very durable; it should last a few more years!!

 

[turquoisedude]

I don't know why, but I thought of toggles when I read the instructions on this can...

 

[turquoisedude]

New transmission, clutch, and belt are ready for re-installation!

 

[turquoisedude]

Fast forward to the tub re-installation - just needs a drive block and an agitator...

 

[turquoisedude]

No, not that one...

 

[turquoisedude]

Or that one!

 

[turquoisedude]

Moment of truth! The electrics seemed good - lots of lights to light up on this beauty!

 

[turquoisedude]

We replaced 8, yes 8, light bulbs on this machine. But what a cool control panel!

 

[philr]

Wow! That's a nice set! Congratulations!

 

[turquoisedude]

After a false start (a bit of a mis-wiring issue on the timer due to having scrubbed the wire identification marker off the wire... D'OH!) the machine started up and ran wonderfullY!! We did a couple of loads of rags as a test and the machine cycled through beautifully. All I had to do now was get it and its matched dryer back to Ogden.

 

[turquoisedude]

I rented this nifty Chevy van to help with the move - the Westy L5 and the 58 GE dryer fit very easily into this, and with help, the 'new' Whirlpool set AND a parts donor machine all fit in nicely. I drove right through from Beltsville to Ogden, and after a few hours snooze this morning, I was ready to unload.
Well, or I thought...

 

[turquoisedude]

Slight problem... three heavy machines and no 'helpers'...
Recall that there are two ways to do things - the easy way or the 'turquoisedude way'...
I had to come up with a plan 'cause the truck had to go back to the rental place.
After a few tries, I built this ramp to help me out. A large appliance dolly like mine was usless, so I used a standard hand truck. And...

 

[turquoisedude]

It worked! It was a bit unsteady, but I managed to wrestle the brutes out of the truck and into the garage safely. Next step will be to get them into the house, but I think that may only be in late October due to an upcoming vacation and on-going landscaping work. Hubby is well aware of these machines and they are part of a larger project which I hope to complete this winter.
The machines themselves will need some cosmetic work - I will be repainting them (white) and I am considering having the console end caps rechromed. But these are going to be stunning when completed!
Stay tuned...

 

[peteski50]

Restore!

This is a real great restore. This WP belt drive is one of my favorates.
Enjoy using it.
Best Wishes,
Peter

 

[bendixmark]

bearing depth

When installing an upper bearing you should use the larger mandrel(assuming you have it) which allows for a deeper bearing depth so 2 large upper seals can be installed .This is what all the later machines had which went a long way in preventing bearing failure.With one seal you run the risk of them failing again which I learned from experience in the 1970s when I did these jobs all the time.It is nice to have a newer transmission with the exception that you lose that super cool clickclick sound the original cam followers made.

 

[northwesty]

Those really are a beautiful set, great job. I am almost surprised the bearing was so worn as they look like low-use machines. From the photos I'd say it could still use the final "detailing" spa-treatment to give them that 59 Cadillac shine so I am looking forward to that though they still look great. Best of luck.

 

[swestoyz]

they look like low-use machines

Brian - I was thinking the same thing! The center post and basket nut look factory fresh (after a freshening up!)

Paul - this is a fantastic set to call your own. Congrats on one of the most beautiful Whirlpool sets to come out of Michigan. Love the 80's trans swap - appreciate John's advice on this! I have one on hand in case I ever need it...

Ben