Time To Turn To The Westinghouse

[drummerboy928]

Today I finally decided to dive into the Westinghouse a little bit and started by taking off the back. There is a little bit of rust and dust, but overall i’m not overly concerned about the condition of things. However I did encounter a couple issues. I found the water valve was not properly connected and was why it wasn’t energizing when I tested it early in the winter. This was an easy fix but the belt on this machine was another story. It was laying in the bottom of the machine and extremely cracked. Would a belt from a newer WCI machine that says is the same part number work with this washer? I’ve included some picture of the machine for you guys to check out, as well as some of the belt so that anybody who knows these machines a little better could give their advice and words of wisdom on this. I appreciate all of you greatly!

 

[cfz2882]

very cool

looks like the original Westinghouse motor has been replaced with an Emerson replacement.2 section black bakelite pump is an early feature,changed to a single section white polypropylene pump by the time my 1975 machine was made.Some early models had a solenoid on the idler pulley for neutral drain: mounting holes for the solenoid can be seen on the motor bracket.The belt is a clutch type and much smaller than the clutch belt on a Franklin WCI washer-a "marathon"Speed Queen belt might be close.Does yours have the blue agitator?

 

[drummerboy928]

Thank you for all that information! Interesting to know that the motor was replaced at some point. I’m not sure when that would’ve been since the previous owner said it hasn’t been run in over 20 years now.

As far as the agitator goes, it has the black ramp style agitator.

 

[cfz2882]

the motor is bad on my 1975 machine-upper bearing is bad...original motors were round with varnished steel stator for a gold-ish appearance.GE motors were used deeper into the WCI era,by 1984 if not a little earlier.Do you know the year of your machine ? This design started around 1966,ran to about '88.

 

[combo52]

60s Westinghouse top load washer

Neat to see one of those, it should be very easy to find a belt for this. It was a unique belt that Westinghouse used. If you can’t find one I’m sure I have one still that I will never use.

That is interesting to see it Emerson motor and a Westinghouse. It could be original. I can’t imagine somebody would go to the trouble to replace a motor and one of those washers but it’s possible,

It looks like the weep hole for the seal above the transmission must’ve been leaking it somebody tried to seal it with some sort of blue sealant, that’s not a good sign that would just force the water into the top bearing of the transmission.

Get a belt on it and see if it runs does the tub spin quietly when you give a spin by hand, does the bearing sound OK?

John

 

[drummerboy928]

From what I’ve seen on the machine, and heard from others, it’s a 1968. All of the hoses inside the machine are stamped with “68” so that seems to confirm it as a late 60s machine. I’m interested in that the motor is “new” but yet the machine hasn’t been used in 20+ years. Based on the belt laying on the bottom of the cabinet and not connected, it’s possible they tried to get it going again and just gave up but i’m really not sure. I was able to get it back on and spin test it, and it spun up fine although the bearings may be a tad noisy. However it didn’t leak any water so that’s a good start lol. With the belt condition, I was able to set it to spin and test it, but I would never trust the belt during a full wash cycle.

If interested, The mode is LAJ535A3, and the serial is K141067

 

[drummerboy928]

Parts

Just out of curiosity, would anyone happen to have a list of parts for bearings and seals and such? I would like to hang onto this machine for as long as possible, and I know these are not known for having the highest level of reliability when it comes to bearings. Thank you all for the input and help, I would not be at the point I am without you guys!

 

[Unimatic1140]

I'd take that belt to Ace Hardware or other old style hardware store as some of them have a belt measuring device. They should be able to match it up size wise (or something close).

 

[jons1077]

Westinghouse belts

I had to replace the belt on my Westinghouse washer for the same reason. It was splitting and breaking. I have an extra one. I’ll find it and post pics.

 

[jons1077]

Frigidaire brand

It’s a v-shaped material-coated belt meant to act as a clutch as well (it is supposed to intentionally slip during spins)

Mine is orange and has Q181625-L on it.

I posted a link to an eBay item that looks the same. You might try it and see if it works. I imagine it will.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[drummerboy928]

I went ahead and ordered the belt. It was cheap so even if it doesn’t fit, I don’t feel bad about making the purchase. Hopefully it will work and I can get this machine washing laundry again! I’m not sure what to do about the possible leak from that transmission weep hole. I’d like to keep the machine long term, but I’d also like to be able to run laundry through it. Will it be safe to run one or two loads through it as is, or will it need a full bearing and seal rebuild?

 

[combo52]

Late 60s top load Westinghouse washer

Yay Henry glad you found a belt. Hopefully it’ll run with a belt

Have you turn the drive pulley to see if it will even agitate by hand?

At this point there’s not gonna be any avoiding tearing the machine completely apart replacing seals, top, bearing, etc.

But hopefully you’ll get to run a few loads in it, don’t get rid of your daily driver.

John.

 

[drummerboy928]

Reply #11

I was able to turn the pulley both ways and it both spins, as well as spins up properly and quickly when I put the belt back on and set it to spin, as well as moves the agitator when turned the other way. The idler pulley also seems to be able to put adequate tension on the belt and moves freely (with what seems to be a proper amount of force).

I was afraid this would be a machine that would need proper torn down and rebuilt, so I will definitely be looking for parts. I’m hoping I can gather some part numbers and either equivalent new, or NOS parts. It’ll be a big project but something I am excited to finally tackle

With the other machines in the garage (5) and the one in the house, I will definitely have spare machines to do laundry in while this one is apart. I also don’t intend to get rid of any machines at the current time.

-Henry

 

[drummerboy928]

Updates

This weekend was the perfect opportunity to get the new belt on, and to water test the machine. The new belt fit perfectly and tensioned properly with ease, and the machine spun up fine with it. However when it came to adding water, a couple leaks popped up, however not from the pump seals. The hose connections to outer tub for the drain hose, and the lower connection at the tub for the recirculation inlet hose leaked at the seam. There were also some drips at the pump end on both the tub to pump hose, and the discharge hose. Was able to put some new sealant on the connections to the outer tub and that stopped them easily. I also readjusted the hose clamps at the pump and that took care of those leaks.

I was finally able to complete a full test cycle of this machine without it leaking or worrying about the belt shredding itself!

 

[norgeway]

The reason

So many of these failed is whoever thought putting a pump on top of the motor was a good idea was nuts!! Great washers but if that pump seal goes bad it usually kills the motor..