Vintage Whirlpool Pump Advice...

[bellalaundry]

I've just removed this pump from my Whirlpool "Convertible". It's not totally free and is sometimes binding.

I did open it up (easily done with the clips). I removed the impeller with shaft to see why it might be binding.

I was a little surprized that there seems to be remnants of an oil wicking system, however, because it was deteriorated I picked it away with tweezers. I put the pump back together, and although it binds/rubs less, its still not turning with ease.

Are replacements that don't require any mods still available? Should I keep working at at it? If I am lucky and do get it turning properly, do I need a new gasket and are those available?

Whatcha think? Help needed!

Guy

 

[combo52]

Whirlpool belt drive four port worship pump

I forget the part number for this pump, but you can use the regular 350367 four port washer pump.

You just take the plastic bottom off your pump and exchange it with the different one from the 367 pump. We used to do this all the time for the portables. You don’t need a new gasket use the gasket from the new pump, however.

There should still be a lot of these 350367 pumps around on eBay, etc.

John

 

[maytag85]

Might want to take it apart again and try putting it back together. Have had the same thing happen to me before not only with these older Whirlpool pumps, but things like electric fan motors where it would bind since it wasn’t aligned correctly. These older Whirlpool pumps are designed to be serviced, the later ones don’t have the oil wick I believe.

 

[combo52]

Whirlpool belt, drive washer pumps

Even though these pumps like the one posted can be disassembled when they start acting up, there’s really not much you can do about it they just need to be replaced unless you really want to go to the mat trying to make parts, etc..

All whirlpool washer, pumps for belt drive machines have an oil, wick and oil can be added to them without even disassembling them if you like.

All that said the water pumps in whirlpool belt drive machines was one of their major weak points even though some of them go 10 and 20 years they weren’t nearly as good as the Maytag poly pump that was used their helical drive washers, I’ve said it before, but Maytag unquestionably, have the best water pump in any automatic washer ever sold in the US, the only other pump that was probably as good was the water pump in the 29 inch whirlpool built combination, washer dryers.

John

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Four-port pump for portables

The part number for the correct pump here is 350370. Surprisingly there are four listings on eBay right now, at least one with more than one pump available. One of those listings is from Canada even!!

I think, given the choices here, since this is an uncommon pump for belt-drives, I would grab one now and be done with it. No experimenting, less risk of floods or failure, and bolt-and-go and you’re ready to wash.

That’s just me though…the security of a brand new pump is hard to ignore.

Gordon

 

[launderess]

eBay and other sources often have good number of those WP pumps of various sorts on offer. Some have been sitting for months or years (same listing over and over) as there are few to nil takers.

Had two purchased for WP convertible/portable that were NIB but never used. Once sold washer on managed to finally sell one of the pumps, other is god only knows where around here, may have rubbished the thing.

Matter of fact have a stash of parts for vintage WP "portable" washers somewhere around here. They have been lying about spare haunting one since got rid of WP washer and need to find new homes.

 

[114jwh]

I'd vote to just replace as well, especially since the pumps are still fairly available now.

Is a belt drive portable (the apartment sized version) different than a "Convertible"? I had to change a pump on an apartment sized portable many years ago and remember having to change out the pulley because of the different type of belt these used. I remember that special pulley was plastic and the guy who sold me the pump making sure the extra pulley was in the box before I left the store.

The one I replaced was a 3 port pump however so I'm guessing the "Convertible" one in question is one of the earlier portables that were built on the full sized platform?

 

[launderess]

Convertible

WP called these units "convertible" because they could be used either as portable or made stationary. Main difference being water connections. Washers had two inlets; hot and cold water. One could cap off "hot" and just use cold water inlet but controlling water temp from faucet.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?21609

It rolls on casters!

 

[combo52]

Whirlpool, compact belt, drive washer pumps

There were three different pumps used on whirlpool compact belt, drive washers, the one that was in the first post that guy posted is the one Gordon and I were talking about. It’s the same as the 350367, the complete number is 350370.

The compact belt drive machine that was introduced in 72 used a three port pump, which is different and not interchangeable. That’s the one where you have to change the pulley for the belt used on the compact machine,

The water pump that was used in the washer that was in the video that laundress posted and reply seven is just the plain 350367 pump.

It doesn’t matter whether the machine was permanent, portable or convertible. They all use different pumps, depending on the style of the machine.

John

 

[bellalaundry]

Well Great!

So much good information! It is the Convertible built on the "full size platform" that I'm repairing.

I did go ahead and order the one from Canada, I fiqure the shipping may be quicker.

Thanks All!

Guy

 

[launderess]

WP "Convertible" Portable Washer

Here is link to thread one started after aquiring a vintage WP "convertible/portable" washer. Have long since sold unit onto another member, but you get the idea.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?25196

Notice on back there are two water inlet ports. On front water temps controls have setting for "Cold/Cold". IIRC this was in addition to regular "cold/cold" in that one left washer at this setting and capped off hot water valve when using machine as portable.

OTOH when used as stationary washer one simply plumbed things same as any other.