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Thread Number: 34388
A Rollermatic Rolled In |
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| Post# 516058 5/6/2011 at 18:01 (4,737 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
Gentlemen, I have bought a 1-18 this morning. I saw it on Craigslist. Called and emailed the people yesterday mid-day and they got back to me - seems it is an apartment/rental house company that had this in one of the houses they just purchased and will be renting. They thought the machine was too old and replaced it. I went to look at it yesterday afternoon after work. Even though it looked a bit worse for the wear with the bit of rust around the holes for the screws on the front panel and a loose control panel, it still was worth $35.00 I thought. I've posted pics on my photos (opened to view). Haven't done a thing with it yet but I was told that it worked.
The front cover was off - missing screws at bottom. The control panel was loose also but just another loose screw. The rubber seems to be pliable and in good condition. When I moved it today, there was still a bit of water in the pump. I saw no evidence of oil being splattered on the inside of the cabinet - but I did see a small spot of what looks like debris from an old belt. I looked at the belt on the machine and thought it looked pretty new and it turned easily and I saw no evidence of wear. The hose leading to the pump and the exit hose are in fine shape - very supple. The rollers are all in place and feel grease free and very much like a brake pad on a car. We'll see. (I haven't told my partner about this yet. I did however, just to appease the washer gods, put the Speed Queen Wringer Washer out for the trash. Maybe someone will grab it. I was told the last time I brought a washer into the house that I had to get rid of one other one before I could have another. Well, I'm selling an older Frigidaire refrigerator to make room for this.) The glass in the lid is in tact. A bit of rust here and there in the corners at the back and one of the side panels is a bit bent, but nothing too major that a bit of elbow grease et. al won't fix. The base is in fine shape, motor, pump mechanisms all seem to be there. It allows control of wash temps and rinse temps. I like that. I couldn't get the top of the tower off though. Any suggestions? The filter was clear. I found no lights inside the tub area. No backlights on the control panel. A bit of paint gone from the panel - matte black shouldn't be hard to re-do. I have to go buy some hoses long enough to connect to the spigots ungerneath the laundry sink and extend the drain hose. And a couple of splitters with shut off valves - one for each washer. It needs to be screwed back into place (maybe I'll use ss nuts and bolts to hold the front panel on.) But I want to do a full cleaning first. The whole thing needs to be dissasembled and scrubed down. And after the cleanup the front panel needs to be coonnected securly to the base - it looks like it could be pretty woobly without some tightening up first. It's exciting to get something like this for $35.00. 
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| Post# 516126 , Reply# 1 5/7/2011 at 00:34 (4,737 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
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| Post# 516147 , Reply# 2 5/7/2011 at 07:06 (4,737 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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Nice Find
Hi Phil,
Yep, I was amazed when I went to pick it up - and for only $35.00 too! The model number is: WC 6B. The serial number is 81EH 9450 so my guess is it's from the year 1981 but I don't know their numbering system well enough to be sure. Maybe someone here can answer that for us. I've posted other pics on my Photos here and you can go and view them if you like. The model plate is there too if you're interested. I've not worked on one of these before, but hopefully, most of it will be just clean up and a bit of sanding those areas that are rusted, priming them with something I've heard about that is an epoxy type paint but it's first stage before it dries, appears white, then turns to black upon hardening and the particular polimer actually chemically bonds to the ferric oxide so that it stays covered forever and finally painting them with a bunch of coats of white topped off by a bit of high gloss clear. In between the spots where the screws meet the base, which is where the rusted areas are, I would use stainless steel nuts and bolts instead of galvanized sheet metal screws that were originally there, for more stability, as well as some rubber type washers in between the bolts and the metal to cushion the vibrations of the machine so that those two parts don't rub against each other. The control panel needs attention, mostly just cleaning and a quick touch up painting with a matte black to fill in those areas of the paint that are worn away. I've found no evidence of leaks of any kind, water or oil. This machine I think will be a nice second machine. My partner (Joe is his name aka "No More Washers!" - sort of like the whine from the movie "Mommie Dearest", No More Wire Hangers!) came home late from work last night and was pissed in general about having to work so late (he delivers flowers for a florist in St. Paul and it's Mothers Day ya know?) So I placated his protests about another "piece of junk" washer in the basement by telling him I had already put up for sale (at my work on one of their electronic billboards) the 1978 Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer I had in the basement, to make room for this newer machine. (And if anyone in the area here would like to take a look at that fridge, feel free to shoot me an email here and ask. The price is $50.00 OBO.) He acquiesced, reluctantly, but he by then, had also calmed down a bit. He just doesn't get it guys. Although he doesn't mind doing laundry - except for the carrying up and down the stairs and the folding and putting away parts. | ||
| Post# 516267 , Reply# 4 5/7/2011 at 18:52 (4,736 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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switchover to WCI westinghouse
I'm unfamiliar with that history. Can you tell me more? I have heard about the switchover to a regular agitator on the Frigidaires, but what does Westinghouse have to do with it?
I plugged the machine in today and put in a 5 gallon bucket of water. None of the wash periods functioned. I heard a humming sound but no up and down. I then tried to pump out the water and that and the spin worked. Did I bite off more than I can chew? | ||
| Post# 516280 , Reply# 6 5/7/2011 at 20:02 (4,736 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
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These machines are metered filled, the humming sound could come from the fill valves?
I'd suggest plugging a hose and fill it (you can set the minimum level) until the fill stops. Then, the washer should start if it's working correctly and if it's not on "soak cycle". cfz2882 is right, this machine is from August of 1978. WCI bought Frigidaire in 1979 and switched to the internals of Westignouse models. WCI Frigidaires have a different front cover and lid and they do not have the crease on the front panel that matches the shape dryer door. 
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Post# 516281 , Reply# 7 5/7/2011 at 20:05 (4,736 days old) by peteski50  (New York) |
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Frigidaire!
Real nice 1/18. BTW the 1/18's were made until the end of 1980. Even though WCI owned frigidaire they were still in contract with GM and had actually tried to sell back frigidaire to GM during that trisition period. WCI was the worst appliance company - they were sitting on gold and to stupid to realize it!
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Post# 516510 , Reply# 8 5/9/2011 at 07:56 (4,735 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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GM FRIGIDARE APPLIANCES As hard as it is to hear WCI did the right thing to close out all the GM designed appliances. GM could not make money on them how would one expect WCI to do so ?. Thier dryers were junk, the 24" laundry center was one of the worst laundry appliances in recent history, thier electric ranges needed complete cook-top redesign. As did thier refrigerator line. The full sized washer line was one of thier better products but it was expensive to build, had major noise problems and many consumers just didn't like them [ its hard to build a completely different product and survive as a major player].
I bemoan the loss of Frigidare appliances as much as anyone here but I don't see anyway they could have survived. | ||
| Post# 516610 , Reply# 10 5/9/2011 at 15:27 (4,734 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas) | ||
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And wasn't this the era of the infamous Cadillac 4-6-8 engine too? | ||
| Post# 516793 , Reply# 11 5/10/2011 at 11:19 (4,733 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
Jim Your pix on our website under photos are wonderful.
Sorry to hear you're having a bit of trouble, but when you get her up and running you'll probably agree with many members here who have a General Motors Frigidiare 1-18. They often say it is one of the best washers they've experienced
It'll wash a boatload of clothes and get them clean; the drama is a delight, the power intense; and of course the circle jet spray fill and spray rinse are dazzling. In some models, once the flush begins, it continues right through to the rinse fill without stopping. It's cool to see a machine spraying like crazy while the spin stops for the rinse fill without interruption of the spray.
I think Ben's movie shows that. Have also heard tell that some 1-18's have a second flush during the final spin.
Good Luck on your new 1-18. | ||
| Post# 516809 , Reply# 12 5/10/2011 at 11:59 (4,733 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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They often say it is one of the best washers they've exp
Thanks Mickey, and like most of us with a washer in waiting and other plans interfearing with getting to it, I'm feeling angst. The washer is sitting in the bsement and I have to first, get rid of that refrigerator, before I have room to move it into the utility area and hook it up. I'll also need to do a jury rigged drain from 3" PVC piping. I'm going on vacation at the end of this week and have no time to even start to clean it up. And the cleanup and a bit of paint, some stainless steel screws and some rubber gromets in between, is all that I think it'll take to make it work great as a backup machine.
But you're right, the drama, the sound, the sprays, the spins, all is a real trip - and all visible under glass no less already! I'm not sure how this one is set up for the circle spray rinsing but I'll find out when I get back home. I need a cap for the agitator tower. The old one had one of it's plastic threads broken off and it wouldn't stay on when the machine was operating so they used something called Ply-O-Bond - a real strong rubber cement type glue and glued the sucker onto the tower. Real class eh? One of the members here (Simplicity345) wrote me a nice e-mail offering access to parts for Frigidaire washers. Maybe he has one he'd care to sell/share? I did send him a private email about this. Any other sources anyone may know of? | ||
| Post# 516816 , Reply# 13 5/10/2011 at 12:55 (4,733 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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I could be mistaken, Jim but I think all GM 1-18's have the circle jet fill & spray rinse. Look and feel around the rim for a sort of thin--maybe half inch--tube with 12 slits in it.
Have fun on your vacation.
And then when you come home, you can wash the vacation clothes in the gleaming Lady Turk Visimatic. | ||
| Post# 516867 , Reply# 14 5/10/2011 at 16:25 (4,733 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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Tower Cap | ||
| Post# 516873 , Reply# 15 5/10/2011 at 17:27 (4,733 days old) by rollermatic (cincinnati) | ||
i have a 1-18
and some rollermatics from the 60's. a couple of mine don't have caps either. i would not pay more than 10 bucks for a cap myself, 60.00 to me is ridiculous!
try dave's repair on the web, he may have one. or another guy advertised here last year that he had a lot old appliance parts. you can archive him here in the imperial section, i did once and found him. larry at modern parts in parma oh may have one but i doubt it. | ||
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Post# 516880 , Reply# 16 5/10/2011 at 18:01 (4,733 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 516930 , Reply# 18 5/10/2011 at 21:07 (4,733 days old) by joelippard (Hickory) |
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| Post# 517043 , Reply# 19 5/11/2011 at 11:18 (4,732 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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$60~~Way too much money, Jim | ||
| Post# 517044 , Reply# 20 5/11/2011 at 11:23 (4,732 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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PS | ||
| Post# 517180 , Reply# 21 5/12/2011 at 07:57 (4,732 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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Let me ask a friend | ||
| Post# 517195 , Reply# 22 5/12/2011 at 10:01 (4,732 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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You're in luck, Jim | ||
| Post# 518236 , Reply# 23 5/16/2011 at 11:10 (4,727 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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A cap for a 1-18
Hi Mickey,
Joe and I are on vacation (right now staying w/ my sister in the (sic)) Great Northeast Philadelphia. On Friday, we're driving down to Cape May, NJ for a day or so (on the way would like to stop over and meet Yogitunes (Martin from here) as he lives in central NJ - sort of on the way to the shore. Then a day or two in Cape May and we'll take the ferry from the tip of Cape May over to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware (a gay mecca in the summer months for the guys from Washington DC & Baltimore, etc.), apend a few more days there and then drive on through the Blue Ridge Mountains (southern Virgina) and part of the the Appilachian Chain towards the western side of Virginia and south into North Carolina to go see Jerry (from here also) in Winston-Salem. He promised me a wash-in so how could I refuse his hospitality? See what I mean about not being able to get to a washer to clean it up and get it running? But that'll all come in good time! | ||
| Post# 518330 , Reply# 24 5/16/2011 at 18:21 (4,727 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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YOGI & JIM | ||
| Post# 518335 , Reply# 25 5/16/2011 at 19:00 (4,727 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California) | ||
Ahhhh the V8-6-4 engine.......
I've read on a couple of websites that the engine itself was a good engine, many would surpass 500,000 miles. But, the electronics of the multi-displacement feature was the problem. Many would have it disabled and just run on all 8 cylinders all the time. And that actually the fuel pump was also not as strong as it should have been for an engine of that size. I guess the stronger fuel pump and the bypass of the multi-displacement feature, made what many think a bad engine into a much better one. And when it came to bad engines from that era, the 4100 V-8 that replaced the V8-6-4 was even worse. Here's a link to a website giving more detail about it.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO StrongEnough78's LINK | ||
| Post# 521599 , Reply# 26 5/31/2011 at 09:27 (4,713 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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The Clean Up
I've begun the clean up of the 1-18. I've cleaned and polished up the control panel, inside and out - no frayed wires, etc - I've scrubbed the top - removed the lid and cleaned the window, the gasket and frame - removed the control panel and the top - cleaned up the rinse ring plastic thing on top of the outer tub. There is some rust on the rim - that and a tiny bit of rust I'll treat w/ the Rustoleum Converter. (I think that's what it's called - I bought it yesterday and didn't even look at it's name - it actually chemically combines with ferric oxide to create a different compound that pemanently ties up the rust and gets it ready to paint.) There are some rust spots here and there on the body - whereever there were screws - I've bought some stainless steel sheet metal screws and will be putting flat hard rubber plumbing washers in between the two pieces of metal along the screw shaft so that it'll act as a cushion as well as prevent the metal against metal rubbing that would eventually cause more rust. This should also quite it down a little. Once I get all the rust/painting stuff done, then I'll work on installing the plumbing and hook it up. Still need to get rid of that Frigidaire refrigerator to make room for this. Any takers out there? It's a GM 1978 model almond color, freezer top fridge bottom style.
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| Post# 521602 , Reply# 27 5/31/2011 at 09:43 (4,713 days old) by lesto (Atlanta) | ||
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The washer in Phil R's photo is the one I have only mine is white. The last of the GM 1-18's and top of the line with lighted panel. Mine is currently out of service because the tub seal leaks and needs replacing so I'm using my old early 70's Norge for the time being. | ||
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Post# 521744 , Reply# 28 6/1/2011 at 04:38 (4,712 days old) by Easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC) |
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Way to go, Jim!!!! It was a pleasure to meet you and Joe. Good luck on the 1-18. It'll be a fun project. Who knows, Joe might get won over with time. Jerry Gay | ||
| Post# 521754 , Reply# 29 6/1/2011 at 07:33 (4,712 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI) | ||
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So Early Jerry?
Hi Jerry - thanks for your note - Joe & I got back home - I think he's already won over to the idea of a move down south - now it's just a matter of timing the housing market. I think I'll be ready for retirement in about 1.5 years from now so we'll have to come back for a few more visits. Next time I'll try to get a real estate representative lined up to begin a rough search. In the meantime, I'll be working on a list of "wants" in a house to be prepared when we do meet with him or her.
By way of an apology, I hadn't written to you yet since my computer is on the fritz. This Friday I'll be taking it back to Best Buy for a D & C (Dusting & Cleaning). I'm at work now and have access to the internet here. Jerry, I can't thank you enough for your (most gracious) hospitality. It's too bad Joe was sick part of the time. Believe me, I liked the fact that we went out to eat and the type of places were just down my alley. Everyone loves a nice dinner out, but for routine dining, you can't beat downhome type places. Tell John we both said hey and are looking forward to meeting soon again. Mt Airy was a real trip/treat too. I've always had a soft spot for Andy Griffiths. Or was that the opposite kind of spot? The mini washin was great fun for me. You know I just love those old machines. I'd never seen a Bendix nor an Easy Spindry in action. The Bendix was kinda noisey eh? But the Easy Spin Dry surprised me. I hadn't remembered that the spin basket was removable nor that it was so deep. Cool toys for grown boys. I've asked Joe about my getting one but he said absolutely not. Space is at a premium here - blah, blah, blah. That's why we may need a place with some room in another building. Just thinking ahead! What we saw on the way west from Winston-Salem was truly beautiful. It did impress Joe a lot. I've driven the area before back in the early 1970s but forgot how gorgeous it is in the spring. I'd like to do more exploring thereabouts. The rest of the trip home was pretty uneventful. Stayed in Mineral Point one night and had a great steak at a B&B there. When we did get home, the house had been cleaned (pre-planned on my part - otherwise I'd wind up doing it after a long drive). Lots more to do outside this season and inside it's just one big project after another. Take care Jerry and thank you again for all your generosity and time. Ciao, Jim | ||
| Post# 521804 , Reply# 30 6/1/2011 at 12:45 (4,711 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
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Comes to the Rescue!
After the madness of a million tax returns, you sure earned it! Ah.....the freedom from work. I wish you and Joe the best.