Thread Number: 86019  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
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Post# 1105768   1/25/2021 at 05:58 (1,185 days old) by a3620 (Lytham St Annes)        

Hello all! Just wanted to say a big thank you for your help and encouragement last December when I needed bearing advice. With your help, our beloved Hover Logic 1300e A3620 lives on.

Not sure if it is of interest to you. Just I thought I'd share my saga. A bit of a ramble really, but maybe someone can laugh at my suffering?

Firstly, I should apologise if I get the terminology wrong. I'm only a DIYer, and have only ever worked on this machine.

Doubt anyone will remember, but a while back, I was trying to find a program indicator belt for our 1300e (more on that later) but in the meantime, we managed to figure out the programmes, by listening to the "Clicks" and we carried on using the machine for a couple more years.

This thing really is a workhorse and is used several times a week. However, despite changing the spider and bearings about 12 years ago, the bearings started to rumble and groan again.
The drum was also sitting at a funny angle, and would bang during the spin cycle, but we could live with this.

With your help, I ordered the correct bearing kit in December, but also snapped up an original Hoover suspension repair kit that I spotted on Ebay (complete with 20 years of dust!)
Armed with a new tub seal, and a set of motor brushes for good measure, I tipped the old girl onto a blanket and started to fit the new parts.
After loosening the backplate, I was pleased that the spider shaft and drum separated quite easily.
Drifting out the inner bearing was a bit more difficult due to corrosion caused by the leaky carbon seal, but an overnight soak in WD40 did the trick.
New bearings, brushes, and suspension kit installed, that’s when my troubles began!

The backplate sealing lip was pitted and corroded, so I had cleaned it up and decided to add a smear of automotive silicone to help with the sealing. I know this is not best practice because it can make dismantling difficult (I restore classic cars as a hobby) but with the pitting, I felt this was the only option for a good seal.
When I came to fit the new tub seal onto the lip of the backplate, it was a really tight fit (It looked too small to me?) and with the silicone it was slipping and sliding all over the place.
Eventually I got it to stay put, and quickly bolted everything back together.
Time for a quick test drive!

I selected program "G" Spin, but it seemed a bit reluctant to go ...how strange?
When I refitted the drum, I checked it was turning smoothly, but suddenly it felt slightly stiff in a couple of spots?
I assumed it was just the new bearings needed to "bed in" so I gave it another quick spin to see if it would free up. Bad mistake!

I should have known better really, but the extra friction overloaded the motor and I got the classic whiff of hot motor windings.
So off with the backplate again, revealing the slippery sealant had caused the entire gasket to slide inside, thus jamming the drum.
After a lot of faffing about, I got everything back together with the drum turning beautifully.

Test spin number 3 ...and disaster! When the 1300 spin kicked in, my new motor brushes lit up like a Christmas tree! Sparks everywhere.
At first I hoped it was maybe a dirty armature, but then the tell-tale smell of hot motor windings.

This is when I almost threw in the towel and started looking online for a new washing machine.
My wife then also reminded me that it takes ages to fill up with water and doesn’t take powder properly from the drawer.
So with a brand new washing machine only a mouse click away, it wasn’t looking good for a 1300e with a knackered motor, no dial indicator and dodgy inlet valves.

Next day, I decided I'd spent so much time, that it was worth having another go. I fired up program "G" 1300 spin and at lower speed the motor seemed OK, but as soon as the 1300 spin kicked in, the sparks flew.

I'm no motor expert, but could see when I put the multimeter across the "spin" windings, there was practically zero resistance (a dead short)

Cut a long story short, and to my amazement, I found a new motor online. After a quick phone call, the new motor was ordered, along with a new belt and a couple of water valves for good measure.

Test drive number 4 - Connected the garden hose and fired her up. All OK, until I realised the water level kept rising?
After a bit of research, I figured out there could be an air leak in the pressure switch piping etc. (I had already cleaned out the pressure bottle thingy)
Sometime later, after blowing down pipes and fiddling about, I got the water level back to normal and it was time for a welcome home party.

Are you bored of this yet? ...no? ...then I shall continue..

The previous day, while waiting for the motor and water valves, I decided to look for a solution to my program indicator problem.
I spent weeks looking online for an indicator belt, but no joy. So I thought about making a belt or gluing the old one etc.
Then I realised I could actually see the timer wheel/cog moving through the existing indicator window and it struck me that I could make my own indicator wheel.

I made a makeshift paper prototype and marked on the program positions. I then scanned this into the computer and tidied it up with editing software. Once printed out, I laminated it and fitted my new dial to the existing timer. It is clamped between the existing wheel and the timer, so no modification was needed, apart from painting-out the now unused parts of the indicator window. I kept all the old bits, so could reinstate the old mechanism if I ever find a belt.

Well that was my story. Already done a couple of loads without issue and it sounds so much better. Arguably as good as new!

Thought I’d add a couple of pictures for you.
Fairly self-explanatory. I took the final pic in the garage just as I was bringing it back into the house. Thought it looked the part flanked by the old cars. Ashes to ashes with washing machines.

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Post# 1105774 , Reply# 1   1/25/2021 at 08:03 (1,185 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Plus!!!!!!

 A Mini, and a David Baiche designed Rover SD 35000! Sweet! Is it a 6, or V8?

Post# 1105775 , Reply# 2   1/25/2021 at 08:34 (1,185 days old) by a3620 (Lytham St Annes)        

Thanks. Its a V8

Post# 1105778 , Reply# 3   1/25/2021 at 09:07 (1,185 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Rover....

 firedome's profile picture
with a 215 aluminium Buick engine.

Post# 1105781 , Reply# 4   1/25/2021 at 10:04 (1,185 days old) by Chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoover Automatic A3620

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
Fantastic news Chris , really glad you stuck with it and got the old girl restored for the next phase of life..

Made me laugh with the backseal shifting all over the place ( but not funny when it's you ) I found out the hard way like you , I wait until the sealant is tacking off then use colorful clothes pegs to clip the rubber seal in place before fixing the drum in , if nothing else it looks like some colourful art installation ha ha .

Great you've dropped on a motor , bet that sounds lovely and smooth ..

What an ingenious way if re inventing the disc programme indicator ,well done you !!

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This post was last edited 01/25/2021 at 10:34
Post# 1105782 , Reply# 5   1/25/2021 at 10:26 (1,185 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Congratulations for the huge success and all the detail of your progress and process. You're amazing and gifted like so many here. "m very proud of you!!


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