Westinghouse Custom Imperial WD Restoration

[jenkemunchained]

Hello, New member here.
I picked up this Westinghouse Custom Imperial front loading Washer and Dryer set. I'd like to do a full restoration, and then use them for my daily laundry.

My first, biggest question here is- Where can I buy replacement rubber door seals for these? The washer uses some kind of weird accordion seal I've never seen before. And the dryer door gasket looks pretty specific too.

They were in working condition when they were put into storage years ago. My plan was just to open them up and replace everything rubber, grease any moving parts, then go from there. Is there anything in particular I should look out for? Common points of failure on these?

I have experience with mechanics and general tinkering, but this is my first vintage appliance restoration; so any advice, resources, information, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

 

[combo52]

Beautiful 1958 top-of-the-line Westinghouse pair

This was the last year of the true slanted tub in the slant front Westinghouse front load washers.

The following year 1959 they redesigned the washer mechanism pretty heavily. It still had the slanted front where you loaded it, but the tub was put on a horizontal Alexis and no longer tangled laundry.

The rubber door boot for these machines has been a problem for a long time. Several people have attempted to make them, but so far I don’t think there’s any that are readily available to replace the rubber boot on the washer. I doubt it would be too difficult to divide some sort of CO for the dryer. This is a positive airflow dryer so you need to have a reasonable seal otherwise it’ll just spew out Lint moisture and heat around the door.

These are very cool machines. It might be a little hard to use them as daily drivers. If you use them more than about a load a week but anything is possible if you’re determined enough I’m very familiar with both the washer and dryer if you have any questions.

John

 

[DADoES]

 
Nice find.

 

[turquoisedude]

One of the few machines I've given up on...

Wow, I had the same set a few years ago.  I put in a LOT of time and effort as well as a small fortune in replacement parts to get the washer running and I just couldn't do it.  The dryer was actually still running when I got it, but as John mentioned, without the original door seal, it will send lint everywhere.  

The set did not get turned into a Kia - another younger collector has both machines now and who knows... maybe he'll be able to figure out what I couldn't.  

 

[peteski50]

Westinghouse!

These are 2 real gems - Best of Luck with them
Peter

 

[jenkemunchained]

Thanks for the feedback

Dang it.

Well, I was very excited about this set, but given the feedback I've gotten here, it looks like I am going to have to find another owner for these beauties. I just don't have the space in my home for a washer/ dryer that isn't my daily use set.

Where should I look to find a buyer for these? I don't want them to end up in the dump, or getting turned into some lady's "cool retro diy arts and crafts project."

How would I even figure a value for something like this?

 

[combo52]

Where do you live? Where are these machines now? Maybe we know somebody not too awful far away. That would want to buy them.

 

[jenkemunchained]

Actually...

So I finally lugged these into my basement today and took a closer look. I had at first just taken for granted that the door seals would need to be replaced, since they're rubber and old.

But, on closer inspection, the door seal on the washer is totally intact, feels totally pliable, and seems to be making a great seal with the door.

I'm going to clean them up and take a closer look inside later this week. I'll post more pictures when I do. is it possible those door seals could still be serviceable at this age?

I've got these in the pacific northwest area if anyone knows of a good home.

In the meantime, I'm excited by the thought of actually running some loads through these, even if I won't be able to keep them in the end

 

[eronie]

Were are you?
Someone local might want them!
Pacific Northwest is very vague.

 

[bendixmark]

Westinghouse

I have that washer also.Mine needs the boot as well.I have never gotten into it.

 

[syndets2000]

I have a set waiting for me to restore in turquoise, and the washer has a 3 belt drive system. The early production models still had the speed changer transmission, so I'm wondering what your laundromat uses. Any chance of getting pics of the drive system?

 

[appnut]

Robert, I've never seen a turquoise version of this model-only white and pink. I'd love to have you post a photo if possible.

 

[syndets2000]

I used them briefly about ten years ago before my parents became terminally ill. The tub bearings are gone, but the white L100 u see is the doner,I replaced both bearings and seal n belts while at Alco. The front left corner needs to be welded, but otherwise it's a good project to finish.