Thread Number: 9924
FINALLY....I GOT A VINTAGE FRIGIDAIRE
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Post# 183073   1/13/2007 at 21:55 (6,283 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)        

Okay, I've been a member of this club since 2002. I've lived vicariously thru all your successes and fantastic finds and stories of how you all "stumbled" across these fantastic pieces of American engineering and the restorations thereof. Well FINALLY I gots a story to tell ya.
For those who don't know, I'm a volunteer firefighter and EMT here in Pennsylvania. I was repairing one of our Maytag commercial frontloaders that we use to wash our gear, when one of our Chief Engineers, Chip Burns mentioned that there is an old washer down in the basement of the house they just bought. I asked him what kind it was. He wasn't sure but he said the agitator looked different. He hadn't plugged it in and it was just sitting in the corner, and it was mine for the taking. I sort've blew it off for a bit, since I really didn't have a place to work on it. Time had passed and today I got a phone call from Chip saying if I wanted it, I'd better get over there. My nephew Brian and I went over this evening, and sitting there, since probably 1959 was a pristine 1959 Frigidaire WCI-59 in white. I kept my composure as I looked it over. It had no rust, no scratches, the original 3-ring agitator with the cap. The chrome is flawless. After a quick phonecall to Jamie (Pulsator)for some advice for it's maiden run I think we will have a winner. He also believes that this is a Multimatic (I wasn't sure). I have a gut feeling that this thing will run without any work. I got home and talked to my wife, and she thinks I'm nuts, but supports my venture. My nephew and I figured out where to put the washer and tomorrow first order of business after Church is going to Lowes to install a wash basin/sink, then to borrow an appliance handcart to move it.
I will post pictures of the baby when I get it. I know I'll be asking you all for advice.

More to follow.





Post# 183076 , Reply# 1   1/13/2007 at 22:11 (6,283 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Wow! Congrats and we're looking forward to pictures.

Post# 183077 , Reply# 2   1/13/2007 at 22:16 (6,283 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Dave, it is DEFINITELY a MULTIMATE!! You did better than me. I'd have been bouncing all over the basement walls when IU laid eyes on it!!! Ask Jamie how to prep a pump that's been sitting for who knows how long!! Can't wait for updates & photos!!!

Post# 183081 , Reply# 3   1/13/2007 at 22:22 (6,283 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

golittlesport's profile picture
Congratulations! Welcome to the world of live water washing!

Post# 183083 , Reply# 4   1/13/2007 at 22:26 (6,283 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)        
pump priming

yeah, Jamie told me to use lots of warm soapy water. Does anyone have a diagram of a Multimatic transmission? I have a Repair Master for the Rollermatic and Pulsamatic & Unimatic.



Post# 183086 , Reply# 5   1/13/2007 at 22:48 (6,283 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)        

pulsator's profile picture
I said HOT soapy water Dave, HOT! lol! and don't forget to check the bellows... I think that's what they are called....

Post# 183089 , Reply# 6   1/13/2007 at 23:10 (6,283 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Dave, a Pulsamatic mechanism is similar to a multimatic I do believe, oinly differencve is 2-speeds. I bet gansky1 could help ya out!!!

Post# 183091 , Reply# 7   1/13/2007 at 23:18 (6,283 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
WOW!! Congrats! Cannot wait to see a pixs of this baby!

Post# 183094 , Reply# 8   1/13/2007 at 23:36 (6,283 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Brittle Bellows

Does being in dry dock effect the bellows? Since glycerin moistens rubber, would it be wise to give it a 4 inch hot soak in glycerin rich water before activating the pulsator? I spent three days trying to get the clamp secured around the bellows on a washer I was fixing when I was only 16. I asked a friend who was a repairman and he lent me his bellows plier. Who knew?
Kelly


Post# 183107 , Reply# 9   1/14/2007 at 01:22 (6,283 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Wow Dave - I can't wait to see this beauty! 59 WCI machines have a wonderful lighted panel - one of my favorite Frigidaires!

Ben


Post# 183126 , Reply# 10   1/14/2007 at 09:01 (6,282 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Great deal Dave! Hope all works well for you today in your maiden wash. Keep us posted here.

Steve


Post# 183173 , Reply# 11   1/14/2007 at 17:59 (6,282 days old) by sudsdudeshane ()        
Good for you dave!

How exciting and how lucky you are to find an old beauty like that! Enjoy washing and if you can share either some pics or video.

Have Fun
~SudsShane


Post# 183190 , Reply# 12   1/14/2007 at 19:40 (6,282 days old) by washinsheen ()        
Envy

It sounds like you have my mom's first washing machine!! My dad's boss gave it to us in 1964. Ours was white, like yours.

I'm anxious to see your pictures!! Congratulations!!!!!


Post# 183199 , Reply# 13   1/14/2007 at 20:15 (6,282 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)        
Maiden Voyage

simply put.....

I need a pump belt (lower belt). Peroid.

everything else looks good. Can anyone help me find a source?

Davy


Post# 183201 , Reply# 14   1/14/2007 at 20:30 (6,282 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Hey Davy,

Upper Belt - 3L280
Lower Belt - 3L320

You should be able to go to any local hardware store with those 'RMA' belt numbers, and they should be in stock.

You can ask Greg how much fun it is to change the belts on Multimatics! While the job itself isn't too bad, the pain is getting them adjusted correctly. Also, the 59 WCI has all the extra fun stuff for the speed change with can be challenging - per the Multi-tragic expert. I would suggest replacing both while you have the pump off. I know it took Cory (he has a '64 Multimatic) about 4 tries to get the belts right.

BUT - when they finally are adjusted correctly, you'll be so happy. Any pics?

Ben


Post# 183225 , Reply# 15   1/14/2007 at 22:03 (6,282 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Good save on the WCI-59! It is a beautiful washer!

Multi-Matic mechanisms can be a little challenging, you may have seen a few of us refer to them as Multi-Tragics. They really seem like a "stop-gap" design between the Unimatic and Rollermatic to give Frigidaire the multi-speed option and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market. Because of persistent troubles with the Rapidry high-speed spin clutch, in late 62 Frigidaire dropped the 850 rpm Rapidry feature completely until 1964 and the introduction of the Rollermatics leaving the max speed at 710 for the remaining Multimatic production time.

The pump itself is driven directly on the motor shaft - the lower belt is the driving belt for agitation. It's best to replace the belts as a set as they get stretched and worn with time and it's easier and recommended (by Frigidaire) to replace them together.


Post# 183268 , Reply# 16   1/15/2007 at 07:49 (6,281 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)        

thank you all for the help and advice. I'll be on the hunt today at lunch for the belt. One things for sure...it does shine up nice! I can't wait to be added to the ranks of the elite Multimatic restoration specialists :-)

Post# 183277 , Reply# 17   1/15/2007 at 09:42 (6,281 days old) by davy1063 (Pennsylvania)        
BELT UPDATE....

For giggles, I phoned or local Frigidaire dealer (who still has the GM-Frigidaire Home Environment Products sign hanging outside). Part number has been changed to 530 656 3821 and costs $30.30 plus shipping, and I should have it in a month. LOL, as per Ben's advice, I called our local hardware store (Leinbach's Hardware) to see if they have any of the generic ones in stock. You bet they do and they are $5.00 each!!

looking good!


Post# 183278 , Reply# 18   1/15/2007 at 10:06 (6,281 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

I am so glad to hear of someone else, who has the good forturne to run across one of these! Yours sounds like a really nice one. They are so much fun!
Gansky alsways fusses over his machine being a pain in the a** to work on, but that machine is one of my favorites whenever I go to visit him.

Another incentive to "get busy"--- as my WI-59 still sits in my workshop waiting---along with so many others for that restoration so long overdue!

Best wishes!




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