Repair Manual for Tappan Fabulous 400 Model 402-3E

[onlysumr]

I gotta fix this unit or remodel my kitchen.  Fixing seems cheaper :shock:

[RegUS_PatOff]

[user=62931]onlysumr[/user] wrote:

...  Fixing seems cheaper :shock:

maybe not 

seems to be about 1968 ..

I don't think you'll find any manuals for it..

maybe parts ..

what seems to be the problem ?

 

[onlysumr]

The only problem right now is that one burner (a “set ‘n forget”) has no modulation .. it’s either off or full on. The wiring all seems to function, but is old, with lots of connector corrosion, so I’m considering re-wiring, especially the drawer cable which flexes every time the stove is used.  I'd just like to research all I can before jumping into a project.

[Perel]

Fabulous old stove. A piece of Americana well worth preserving IMO.

The original parts are no longer available, so you can't get exact replacements for any of the fancy electronic bits. That means the "set and forget" thermostat module isn't available.

However, it's easy to put a standard burner or oven element into these old stoves. If the fancy knob for that burner is busted, just put a regular knob in. The technology for coil-burner electric stoves really hasn't advanced since the 1950s - in fact, the standard cheap/basic stoves you see in almost every apartment use almost all the same repair parts as 1950s stoves.

Ask around on antique appliance forums. There are collectors who have these things - for instance, I happen to have a Frigidaire Flair service manual from the same time period - but for most repairs you don't need them. The wiring diagram will be inside the unit somewhere and that's really all you need.

I did write this assuming this is an all-electric model. Apparently the Tappan 400 also came in gas; in that case it would be just as easy since basic gas stove parts are just as near-universal.

[onlysumr]

Thanks for the advice, Perel. There's actually a dealer in Fontana, CA who has been putting up parts on eBay, so maybe I'll get lucky.