Restorable Kenmores

Here goes some replies here folks - I haven't been online in about 15 hours, so I didn't see your comments come in. Thanks to those who wrote!

To Suds14: I think we're talking about the same model. The water temp knob is exactly as you describe, though I don't remember the timer dial exactly (shame on me, I ususally do). The machine is not a suds saver - for reasons I don't really know, there aren't many of those down here in the south....maybe because most homes don't have basements and/or laundry tubs? I used to see a lot of them as a kid when I lived in Michigan. In all the machines I dealt with when I was busy with them, I saw maybe one suds model. I will be glad however to get you a picture of that beast when it re-emerges from storage. I could snap the white one sooner if that would help.

To Dennis, MrMaytag - I wrote you back this morning vie e-mail, and thanks for the message!

To Mulls - I am sorry, but I don't have any matching dryers. I worked my hobby somewhat differently than many people might have. When I was working on these regularly, I would line up the resources of my good friend and mentor to supply the dryers. That kept him happy (he was doing it to make a living) and allowed me to focus on washers, which was what I truly enjoyed.

To Mickeyd and Gyrafoam: I blush easily guys!! I was probably tomato red when I read that, but THANKS! I had this hobby for quite literally all my life. Washers absolutely fascinated me when I was a kid, and that's why I so vigorously now want to restore my 1961 which if done right, could be an exact copy of the washer that started all this.

In High School I got the bug to repair the washers I had always enjoyed looking at, and never forgot that until 8 years later when I got my own home to do it in. The next five years or so I was consumed, and really enjoyed the time. Some of the most fun though was taking the machines to their new homes to be used (these were machines that would have otherwise gone into a crusher). I remember in one delivery, I installed a 1984 Kenmore "black front" as I called them in a bungalo house of two young girls who had just graduated college and were striking out on their own. They had just bought their first washer and no longer had to haul stuff to the laundromat. I caught them doing a happy dance (which I was not supposed to see) when I looked over my shoulder after tightening the hoses to the faucets. That sort of thing made it all worthwhile, even the not-so-fun stuff (delivering in 95 degree heat and stop and go traffic, working on temperamental machines that would rather be left dead, re-doing a repair because I forgot something, LOL, etc.)

Hopefully I can be a worthwhile contributor to this site. I have already enjoyed my time here...that video/audio of the 1964 aqua Kenmore more or less captures what I love about those machines. I can listen to those sounds at home on my 85 and 86 machines (it's cool that 22 years after that machine was built the washers WP made, some at least, still make the same sounds. So, although I can listen to mine at home, but with the drought here, I don't until I have a full load. How can you beat a black roto-swirl with a scrubber cap anyway?

By the way - I should be thanking everyone else here....I replied to a post on the Deluxe format regarding today's dishwashers, and the results of that saved my parents, whom I dearly love, $850 that they were going to spend on a new Kitchenaid dishwasher, and saved me from needlessly putting a new motor on their current GE. The dishwasher thing is what allowed me to find this site actually.

So, it's all good guys! THANKS muchly.

Oh yeah...a wash-in in Charlotte or nearby? I'm there! I only have two connections at my house, one inside and one in the garage, but I could probably contribute a couple newly awakened beasts to wash with.

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!

p.s. - Just so you know, brevity is not my strong suit....


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Post# 264792 2/13/2008 at 13:59 (5,908 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes Hi there everyone! I am going to have up to seven 1960s Kenmore washers available by summer time if anyone wants one of them. Until I found out about this fantastic site, I had no idea what to do with them other than keep them for myself or in storage, but there are far too many. Here's what I have: 1) I have two 1965 Lady Ks - both white in very nice shape. They have that funky "rocket ship" agitator and gold scrubber in them. 2) One 1966 Lady K in white - seems like that's one person's dream machine on here, but I don't remember whose. 3) I have a 1964 Coppertone Kenmore 70 (I may keep this one) 4) I have two 1968 Kenmore 70 series with gold scrubbers and brushed aluminum/stainless control panels with sliding door over the controls. One is white, one is Avacado. I also have a 1965 Whirlpool with drive block surgilator, brush waterfall filter, and the controls in a small box on the right side. Other than being dirty, the machine is restorable to like new condition, easily. I also have a 1970 or 71 Avacado Kenmore (can't remember if it's a 700 or 800). I don't know if anyone would want these, but they're not doing anyone any good sitting in storage. More pics will be available after I empty the storage (I have about 25 belt drive WP/Kenmores in there). I am expecting to restore these machines before they leave my hands, though they are pretty nice anyway. A couple are going to need bearing jobs, which I will do. If anyone has any interest in the Lady Ks or any of the others, I can get them out first, etc. They have been stored since the early 90s and thanks to finding this site, I have renewed my vigorous interest in repairing them. NOTE: I also have access to what I think is a white 1959 Kenmore Cycla-wash that has not been used since the late 60s and was in climate controlled storage, wrapped in a box! I am not sure what it would be worth..... For my machines, at least on the ones I used to rebuild for household use, I would change the centerpost gasket, the tub bolt seals, install a new pump and belt, and fix whatever else was wrong. I would do the same on these unless someone says otherwise. If anyone wants one of these, let me know - I would love to see someone get them who would appreciate them. Thanks everyone!

Post# 264836 , Reply# 1 2/13/2008 at 20:05 (5,908 days old) by suds14 (Pittsburgh)
Checkrate/Likes Hi, The 1968 Kemore in avacoda sounds like my Grandma's washer. It had the sliding doors over the controls. Are the cycles identified by letters? Also the water level is infinite, the water temp Cold wash on left Auto middle, cold rinse on right.Does this washer have a suds saver? I wish you a picture of this washer. I have been searching this site just to see if any one had a picture of this washer. Thaks

Post# 264840 , Reply# 2 2/13/2008 at 20:50 (5,908 days old) by mrmaytag (Tennessee)
Checkrate/Likes *You've piqued my curiosity....* Hi! I've sent you an email concerning your machines... Dennis

Post# 264841 , Reply# 3 2/13/2008 at 21:06 (5,908 days old) by mulls ()
Checkrate/Likes *Matching sets* Any dryers available to make matched sets? Tom

Post# 264865 , Reply# 4 2/14/2008 at 00:22 (5,908 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)
Checkrate/Likes *How lucky we are to have you, Gordon* So many members are are not as technically gifted as you are. And the joy that you bring them with this announcement, that they can purchase their dreams without having to do the mechanicals, that is often beyond their reach, is way over-the-top tremendous. Aworg has been so good to so many people and given so much in so many wonderful innumerable ways, giving giving giving constantly and immeasurably, especially its founder, that it was only a matter of time before someone like you would join our community and grace us with your generosity. God bless your sweet ass.

Post# 264884 , Reply# 5 2/14/2008 at 05:30 (5,908 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes *Kenmoreguy64------* I'll second what Mickeyd said! When you 'gonna come up into the mountains and visit us? Robert has years of working on 'Kenmo's and Mark,Robert and I all have some kool ones in our collection! We need to do a wash-in/workshop weekend! Just let me know----my guestroom is available!

Post# 264894 , Reply# 6 2/14/2008 at 06:36 (5,908 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)
Checkrate/Likes *Washin?* Hey when y'all have a Kenmore washin, let me know! Charlotte ain't too far from me anyway.

Post# 264918 , Reply# 7 2/14/2008 at 08:50 (5,908 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes Here goes some replies here folks - I haven't been online in about 15 hours, so I didn't see your comments come in. Thanks to those who wrote! To Suds14: I think we're talking about the same model. The water temp knob is exactly as you describe, though I don't remember the timer dial exactly (shame on me, I ususally do). The machine is not a suds saver - for reasons I don't really know, there aren't many of those down here in the south....maybe because most homes don't have basements and/or laundry tubs? I used to see a lot of them as a kid when I lived in Michigan. In all the machines I dealt with when I was busy with them, I saw maybe one suds model. I will be glad however to get you a picture of that beast when it re-emerges from storage. I could snap the white one sooner if that would help. To Dennis, MrMaytag - I wrote you back this morning vie e-mail, and thanks for the message! To Mulls - I am sorry, but I don't have any matching dryers. I worked my hobby somewhat differently than many people might have. When I was working on these regularly, I would line up the resources of my good friend and mentor to supply the dryers. That kept him happy (he was doing it to make a living) and allowed me to focus on washers, which was what I truly enjoyed. To Mickeyd and Gyrafoam: I blush easily guys!! I was probably tomato red when I read that, but THANKS! I had this hobby for quite literally all my life. Washers absolutely fascinated me when I was a kid, and that's why I so vigorously now want to restore my 1961 which if done right, could be an exact copy of the washer that started all this. In High School I got the bug to repair the washers I had always enjoyed looking at, and never forgot that until 8 years later when I got my own home to do it in. The next five years or so I was consumed, and really enjoyed the time. Some of the most fun though was taking the machines to their new homes to be used (these were machines that would have otherwise gone into a crusher). I remember in one delivery, I installed a 1984 Kenmore "black front" as I called them in a bungalo house of two young girls who had just graduated college and were striking out on their own. They had just bought their first washer and no longer had to haul stuff to the laundromat. I caught them doing a happy dance (which I was not supposed to see) when I looked over my shoulder after tightening the hoses to the faucets. That sort of thing made it all worthwhile, even the not-so-fun stuff (delivering in 95 degree heat and stop and go traffic, working on temperamental machines that would rather be left dead, re-doing a repair because I forgot something, LOL, etc.) Hopefully I can be a worthwhile contributor to this site. I have already enjoyed my time here...that video/audio of the 1964 aqua Kenmore more or less captures what I love about those machines. I can listen to those sounds at home on my 85 and 86 machines (it's cool that 22 years after that machine was built the washers WP made, some at least, still make the same sounds. So, although I can listen to mine at home, but with the drought here, I don't until I have a full load. How can you beat a black roto-swirl with a scrubber cap anyway? By the way - I should be thanking everyone else here....I replied to a post on the Deluxe format regarding today's dishwashers, and the results of that saved my parents, whom I dearly love, $850 that they were going to spend on a new Kitchenaid dishwasher, and saved me from needlessly putting a new motor on their current GE. The dishwasher thing is what allowed me to find this site actually. So, it's all good guys! THANKS muchly. Oh yeah...a wash-in in Charlotte or nearby? I'm there! I only have two connections at my house, one inside and one in the garage, but I could probably contribute a couple newly awakened beasts to wash with. HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE! p.s. - Just so you know, brevity is not my strong suit....

Post# 264920 , Reply# 8 2/14/2008 at 08:53 (5,908 days old) by lesto (Atlanta)
Checkrate/Likes I'd love to see that 59 cyclafabric. A true dream machine. Les

Post# 264988 , Reply# 10 2/14/2008 at 16:23 (5,907 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)
Checkrate/Likes *"I only have two connections at my house, one inside an* Hey Man, For about 20 bucks apiece you can get heavy sturdy brass adaptors with for FOUR supply links--brass off/on switch for each link. Install these and you'll have hook-ups for Eight !!!! washers, then you'll be as crazy as the rest of us ;'D. I'll find a pic of mine. In the meantine, enjoy the Buffalo snow, and come on over--all of you-- to fill the chairs at my winter deck Saint Valentine's Day Party

Post# 265009 , Reply# 11 2/14/2008 at 18:30 (5,907 days old) by jamman_98 (Columbia, SC)
Checkrate/Likes *Matching Dryer* The 1968 kenmore 70 series with sliding pannel could be a match to the dryer my dad owns which is a 1967 model. Love to see it!!! Hope you post some pic. I'm in columbia sc so a trip to charlotte would be easy for me Thanks joe jamman_98

Post# 264980 , Reply# 9 2/14/2008 at 15:41 (5,907 days old) by suds14 (Pittsburgh)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks A picture of the white one would be great. It is nice to know that there are still many of these washer around. Thanks Have a good day. David