Wanted: Magnetic refrigerator door seal for 1964 Coldspot

[63kenmore]

I recently bought a 1964 (top freezer) Coldspot refrigerator model # 106W16EL5. I'm getting ready to have it painted and want to replace the door seals at the same time. Can anyone recommend a source? Here are some photos. Also, can anyone tell me what the hole in one of the door shelves is for; is it for a dispenser of some kind?
Thanks :^)

 

[rp2813]

Great fridge!  You can't beat a butter conditioner, and the space master shelving is super useful in a relatively smaller fridge like yours. 

 

I have always assumed the hole in the door shelf is there to accommodate a tall bottle in the door shelf below it.  You'll find it on a lot of different models and styles of Sears (and maybe Whirlpool) refrigerators from the early to mid '60s.

 

If the door seals are really shot, I'm not sure where you'd find new ones, but I have a feeling that this style and size of fridge was produced for many years, so they might turn up if you do some digging.  If you can remove the existing gaskets and clean them up, that could at least buy you some time.  I did that on my '57 GE fridge several years ago and the gasket still looks and seals fine.  I did have to replace the freezer door's gasket, but that's because it's not a frost free model and I got tired of defrosting it so often.

 

[yogitunes]

yes, those holes were for tall bottles placed on the shelf below....

A. it accommodated taller bottles

B. when you opened the door too fast, it didn't allow the bottle to topple over onto the floor and create a mess...

cool fridge none the less

 

[63kenmore]

64 Coldspot fridge seal

Thanks so much for the information, It never even came to mind that hole might be for a tall bottle; they thought of everything back then. The door seal isn’t damaged, but it is kind of nasty and needs a serious scrubbing. My concern is if it has hardened any over the years, it won’t seal properly and it will cause problems by overworking an old compressor. That didn’t seem to be a problem with my 1947 GE, but that old battleship was made right after the war with some very hefty parts and she’s still purring along today. I don’t see nearly as many ‘60’s or ‘70’s refrigerators as I do the ‘30’s and ‘40’s. Just wish I could remember where I bought the door seal for the ‘47 in the late 1990’s.

 

[rp2813]

If the seals don't show any signs of damage, just give them a good cleaning.  A toothbrush and some detergent solution is all you should need.   Don't forget to tilt the box back and clean the bottom edge of the gasket as well.  The magnets will continue to ensure a good seal.

 

I had a +/- 1970 Whirlpool version of your fridge and used it in the garage for 20 years.  It got hot in there often during the summer, and that fridge hummed along nicely and kept things evenly cold.  The fridge door gasket had been repaired along the top corner with some type of caulking or sealer before I bought it used, and even that didn't faze it. 

 

Don't worry about overworking the compressor.  I've known a few Whirlpool/Coldspot refrigerators from this period that simply wouldn't quit.  If yours is still working fine, you got a good one and it should continue to keep things cold for quite a while more.

 

Be sure to post pictures here after the paint job.  It will look so much better when it's not brown.

 

[63kenmore]

Thanks so much for the info. That makes me feel better; I was really worried about stressing an already old compressor.

 

[63kenmore]

64 ColdSpot Fridge is pretty and shiny again

Here she is after a trip to a Hot Rod paint shop and a super interior cleaning. Quite a new lease on life!

 

[rp2813]

Beautiful!  What did you do about the gaskets?

 

Those "Spacemaster" shelves are the bomb!  Our '70 Whirlpool had a nearly identical interior and shelving system.

 

[63kenmore]

Thank you. ) We found a replacement gasket online. When I started cleaning them I noticed there were a couple of large sections along the bottom of the door that were torn. They told us they will fit, we’ll see...

 

[turbokinetic]

That looks very good! Love the color as well.

 

Will be anxiously awaiting to see how the gaskets fit.

 

Sincerely,

David