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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 4:14:39 GMT
Today I made a short foray to north central Alabama and captured two antique fridges.
One is quite a find! It's a 1936 Frigidaire, deluxe. Sadly, it has suffered from botulism. Somebody botched it up with prior attempted repairs.... Thankfully, the cosmetics aren't botched up, only the mechanical parts.
Very nice art-deco styling! .JPG)
Even got a food safety gauge.
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Controls have nice detailing.
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Now for the botulism. Someone botched up the lines on the back. They installed a line puncture tap. It's directly above the original tap where the hermetic service kit goes. There is oil around it and apparently it leaks. But this is a small, and fixable problem.
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The real problem is down here. The bottom of the compressor is soaked with oil. It has been leaking around the motor terminals for a long time. They have been charging in refrigerant and not oil; and over time the compressor has run dry. It sounds so sick. It actually squeaks.
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This was an R114 machine. There's no telling what they charged it with through the puncture tap.
The next item of interest is this Internatioinal Harvester refrigerator.
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I'm assuming it's from the 40's or 50's. It runs, but it gives a shock. Didn't run it long enough to see if it cools, but the compressor sounds good and after unplugging it, I could hear percolation in the evaporator.
So if you are in the mood to hear me bloviate about these finds, here's a video!
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Post by coldspaces on Sept 26, 2018 4:27:25 GMT
IH made frigs for less than 10 years, sold the division to Whirlpool in 1955 and lost money on them. They made some good ones though!!! Most that I have seen had the date plainly on the tag. This one does not, not sure what that means.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 4:30:34 GMT
IH made frigs for less than 10 years, sold the division to Whirlpool in 1955 and lost money on them. They made some good ones though!!! Most that I have seen had the date plainly on the tag. This one does not, not sure what that means. Hey Gill, there is another tag which I didn't get a picture of. Will try to get a picture of that as well.
The "sideways" compressor is really interesting. I wonder if IH actually made that or if they bought it?
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Post by coldspaces on Sept 26, 2018 4:41:35 GMT
That is Tecumseh " Pancake compressor" I believe they stop making them in 1967.
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Post by coldspaces on Sept 26, 2018 4:49:01 GMT
I have never seen an IH with a Pancake compressor, must be a smaller CU Ft model, thanks for saving it. I have Tecumseh Info on them if you find you need it.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 4:55:17 GMT
I have never seen an IH with a Pancake compressor, must be a smaller CU Ft model, thanks for saving it. I have Tecumseh Info on them if you find you need it. Nice, if there are any issues with it, I'll follow up here. I'm assuming the shock issue is because of the shoddy wiring or the rain storm I drove through, and not a motor earth fault..... hopefully! 
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Post by elec573 on Sept 26, 2018 5:03:53 GMT
Turbo I have a Frigidaire by gm also it’s a 1937 . It’s complete and was close is why I picked it up. It runs but does not get cold the condenser just barely gets
warm . So I’m assuming it’s low on refrigerant. So l we’ll be interested to see how yours works out for you . And maybe pick up some tips on how to fix mine.
For us fridge geeks this is better than watching tv . Lol
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 5:06:06 GMT
Turbo I have a Frigidaire by gm also it’s a 1937 . It’s complete and was close is why I picked it up. It runs but does not get cold the condenser just barely gets warm . So I’m assuming it’s low on refrigerant. So l we’ll be interested to see how yours works out for you . And maybe pick up some tips on how to fix mine. For us fridge geeks this is better than watching tv . Lol Thanks lot. I'm looking forward to trying to get this one working again! I really hope yours can be fixed as well.
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Post by jake on Sept 26, 2018 5:11:41 GMT
Two more nice fridges! Glad you got them!! Love the safety indicator on the door and the push button door latch on the Frigidaire!! The Meter Misor Compressor featured only 3 moving parts to make it work. So hopefully with some fresh oil it will be able to continue running! The International Harvester looks like early '50s. They put a metal tag on the back showing the exact date of manufacture. Hopefully it's still there. I may have a wiring diagram for it if you need it. Beginning in 1953, on their higher end models, International Harvester offered "Tri-Matic Defrosting". On the inside of the cabinet on the right side was a control panel with two dials. The left dial was a clock that needed to be set to the correct time of day. The right dial had three selections, "Auto, "Manual", and "No Defrost". In the Auto position the freezer would automatically defrost every night at 3am. The Manual setting was to initiate an immediate defrost, usually for cleaning the refrigerator. No Defrost was used when you didn't want the freezer to defrost automatically. The interior light would be switched off during the defrost cycle to remind the user that defrosting was taking place. They're both very nice refrigerators!! Can't wait to see your progress on them!! If you need the wiring diagram for the International Harvester, post the model number and I'll see if I have it.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 5:35:46 GMT
Two more nice fridges! Glad you got them!! Love the safety indicator on the door and the push button door latch on the Frigidaire!! The Meter Misor Compressor featured only 3 moving parts to make it work. So hopefully with some fresh oil it will be able to continue running! The International Harvester looks like early '50s. They put a metal tag on the back showing the exact date of manufacture. Hopefully it's still there. I may have a wiring diagram for it if you need it. Beginning in 1953, on their higher end models, International Harvester offered "Tri-Matic Defrosting". On the inside of the cabinet on the right side was a control panel with two dials. The left dial was a clock that needed to be set to the correct time of day. The right dial had three selections, "Auto, "Manual", and "No Defrost". In the Auto position the freezer would automatically defrost every night at 3am. The Manual setting was to initiate an immediate defrost, usually for cleaning the refrigerator. No Defrost was used when you didn't want the freezer to defrost automatically. The interior light would be switched off during the defrost cycle to remind the user that defrosting was taking place. They're both very nice refrigerators!! Can't wait to see your progress on them!! If you need the wiring diagram for the International Harvester, post the model number and I'll see if I have it. Hi Jake, thanks for the offer for the IH info. This one doesn't have the fancy defrost timer, although I wish it did! It does have the other tag, for some reason I didn't include it in the first post. Thought maybe I overlooked it, but found it in the camera!
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Looks like it's a 1951!
And yes I really hope that Frigidaire compressor survives.....
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Post by jake on Sept 26, 2018 5:58:44 GMT
You're welcome David, glad to help! Definitely a '51, glad the tag was still there!! Fingers are crossed for the Frigidaire compressor!! If anyone can bring it back to life, you can! It's in good hands!!
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Post by ckfan on Sept 26, 2018 16:33:09 GMT
Very cool finds there. Sorry to hear about the sorry state of the Frigidaire. It seems like those terminals are a weak point on those. I successfully repaired a newer one using add on terminal seals and had to use a custom wrench that Doug (timeswelding) made for me. It’s been keeping my food cold ever since. Your Frigidaire may be a 37 because I have a 36 and it doesn’t have that fancy thermometer. If you look at the back condenser it should list the model, cubic foot capacity, and year. That poor compressor is starved for oil I’m sure. At least it still runs. Mine works great but it is much louder than the subsequent models that they made.
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 17:14:50 GMT
Very cool finds there. Sorry to hear about the sorry state of the Frigidaire. It seems like those terminals are a weak point on those. I successfully repaired a newer one using add on terminal seals and had to use a custom wrench that Doug (timeswelding) made for me. It’s been keeping my food cold ever since. Your Frigidaire may be a 37 because I have a 36 and it doesn’t have that fancy thermometer. If you look at the back condenser it should list the model, cubic foot capacity, and year. That poor compressor is starved for oil I’m sure. At least it still runs. Mine works great but it is much louder than the subsequent models that they made.
Thanks for the info on the condenser marking. "DELUXE 5-37" so tt is a 37 actually!
As for the special wrench, I found your thread on the Coldwall repair, which I had read before and think that is a great repair! The wrench design is good to see. I can fabricate one of those quite easily.
That's a slightly different Meter-Miser compressor design, but I'm sure it would have the same style of seals on it. Yours looks the same as my AS-76 and the other 40's Frigidaires I have had. The one in the 1937 is different. It has both lines coming into the bottom and the terminals are on a flat surface on the bottom as well.... perfectly placed to drain out every last drop of oil from the compressor. 
Looking at the drawings of the seals you installed; everything looks like it could be turned on a lathe quite easily. I may just fabricate the metal and delrin parts; and locate some faucet washers which will fit over the studs.
On a positive note; the International Harvester fridge works and cools very well. It's in dire need of cosmetic repairs, however.
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Post by ckfan on Sept 26, 2018 19:14:57 GMT
Wow, if you can make new seals yourself...that is awesome. I have two sets left that I was saving for future repairs. If you need a set and can’t make one, it’s yours. I want to see you make one though lol. That means it can be done because it’s already been done!
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Post by turbokinetic on Sept 26, 2018 19:58:31 GMT
Wow, if you can make new seals yourself...that is awesome. I have two sets left that I was saving for future repairs. If you need a set and can’t make one, it’s yours. I want to see you make one though lol. That means it can be done because it’s already been done! Oh you have more?!? Could I impose upon you to take measurements of the pieces for me? When you have time there is no hurry.
Man that squeaking compressor noise just really hurt to hear. I just don't see how that could function again. But, I am not giving up hope.
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