Visited a 1950s diner restoration and their old soda fountain compressor setup was wild

I was checking out this restored diner in Pasadena last weekend, and the owner let me peek at the back. They kept the original 1950s soda fountain running, and the compressor system was something else. It was this huge, open belt-drive unit, not a sealed system like we see now. The belts were still good, but the motor bearings sounded like gravel. The owner said a local guy 'who knows old stuff' services it twice a year for about $300 a visit. It got me thinking about the specialized knowledge for these antique commercial units that's probably fading. Has anyone here worked on one of these pre-1970s ice cream or soda machine systems? I'm curious what the common failure points are besides the obvious wear on the old motors.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony12d ago

My uncle's old garage had a similar belt-drive fridge from the forties that just hummed forever.

hugomurray12d agoTop Commenter

Wow, that's so cool they kept it original! I bet finding parts for those open motors is a nightmare. @the_anthony, that old fridge hum is a specific sound you just don't hear anymore. For the soda system, are the big issues usually with the refrigerant itself, like leaks in those old copper lines, or is it more about keeping the belt tension right so it doesn't slip or scream?

grantf7311d ago

That local guy charging $300 a service call is probably a steal. The real cost is in the custom parts. Those old open compressors often need brass valve plates remachined or new gaskets cut from sheet stock because nothing is off the shelf. The belt drive is simple, but the refrigerant side is where the magic and the headaches happen. Keeping the right charge in those old systems with their huge coils is a balancing act.