Thread Number: 20754
Here's a couple of project Kenmores!
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Post# 329276   2/7/2009 at 23:31 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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In another current thread is some mention of a few machines coming to Charlotte from Michigan (thanks Matt/Everythingold, by the way). I certainly didn't need them, but I fell for a 1965 Kenmore 800 set that Matt had, as I was afraid the crusher would get them. When he later found an Avocado 1976 Kenmore 60 series washer, I wanted it too. So, with Matt's patience, I had the machines hauled down here. Along for the ride was a Whirlpool set, the washer at least will make someone a nice daily driver one day before too long.

I'm going to focus on the '65 and '76 Kenmore washers for now. The '65 at first glance appeared to be a real piece of sheet, but under its dirty, abused exterior could be a real prize. The machine was partially dusted with road salt from not being tarped on the ride down here. Today I washed that off, and much to my surprise began to shine a real beaut. That agitator, as it arrived here, looked more like a geological soil sample than a bakelite Roto-Swirl, but under that mess is a Roto that has seen so little use that it still shines a deep glossy black. The machine sat outside for a very long time, FULL of water. You can see the water lines on the agitator. The wash basket is absolutely nasty, probably the dirtiest I've come across. The rust stains worry me that I'm going to find a swiss-cheese outer tub....





Post# 329278 , Reply# 1   2/7/2009 at 23:33 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Here's the money shot, such as it is....

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What a mess, but the scrubber cap with detergent cup turned out to be very nice!

Post# 329279 , Reply# 2   2/7/2009 at 23:37 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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I was surprised to find the machine being not as mechanically sad as it's appearance. I plugged it in after looking at the mechanicals carefully and immediately the console light came on. It idles and agitates near perfectly, however it won't spin. The basket is not locked, but I think the spin cam bar may be stuck. That stuff is fun to fix. Even the 'filtering' light works!

Post# 329280 , Reply# 3   2/7/2009 at 23:39 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Check this out!

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Look at the artwork on the agitator - I felt bad cleaning it off.

Post# 329281 , Reply# 4   2/7/2009 at 23:41 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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The machine cleaned up nicely, at least the exterior. I don't normally do that until after I've fixed a machine and it's ready to use, but with all that salt on it, I wanted it off, NOW. It came out pretty well and I think I can improve it some still.

A tell-tale sign that the machine hasn't been heavily used is the presence of all the un-peeled black trim on the bottom of the console.


Post# 329282 , Reply# 5   2/7/2009 at 23:48 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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So, cross your fingers for me that the tub isn't a rust bucket. If not, I'll be testing the machine with water in it soon.

On to the '76. Remember this beast?

For reasons unknown to me, the 1976 and 1977 Kenmores with the black panels turn a 3D carmel color when they've been exposed to sun. The sunburst effect is from the flash and shows how reflective the finish gets as it ages. The woodgrain tops turn pink too, this one almost doesn't show any signs of having had a woodgrain pattern.

This one's been out in a good bit of weather, and the trip down here didn't offer any security to the remaining print lettering on the panel. Thanks to Kenny / Goatfarmer, I now have a very nice exact copy of the panel to install when the rest of the work is done.


Post# 329283 , Reply# 6   2/7/2009 at 23:50 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Some of my washers get knick-names that seem to stick with them. I have a feeling this one is going to be known as the green beast.

Post# 329284 , Reply# 7   2/7/2009 at 23:55 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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The green beast cleaned up REALLY nicely. It has a stuck agitator (where is my Agitamer anyway?) and a locked up transmission, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and to getting into that with more detail. I have a lint filter for the machine from one of my scavenging trips years ago, its funny how that stuff proves useful at times later on. I'm hoping I enjoy working on this washer as much as I have already.

I'll keep you all posted on the two and their progress.

Gordon


Post# 329287 , Reply# 8   2/8/2009 at 00:25 (5,528 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Nice Machines!

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Gordon,

As usual, congratulations!
These look like they'll be fun to bring back to life.

Patrick


Post# 329292 , Reply# 9   2/8/2009 at 01:40 (5,528 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
I love both of these!

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Really nice finds. I remember growing up one of our neighbors had this exact machine probably from the same year in white. Even back then when the machine wasn't very old it had that red glare on the panel and it had not been outside. For some reason that's just the way they looked I guess.

The 65' brings me to wonder something though. I plugged in the 1970 Kenmore I just picked up today and the light's out. Where can you find appliance bulbs like those now? Aren't they a weird length or something to where they are harder to find now?

Thanks!

Jon


Post# 329298 , Reply# 10   2/8/2009 at 03:42 (5,528 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Congrats on both washers Gordon! Wow that 800 is gorgeous, (aside of the mess), and so is the 1976 Model 60. I'm sure you will have both looking like new before long.

Good luck,
James


Post# 329302 , Reply# 11   2/8/2009 at 04:42 (5,528 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Ya have your work cut out for you, Gordon, good luck!

kennyGF


Post# 329319 , Reply# 12   2/8/2009 at 09:10 (5,528 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
About console lights

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Jon,

I am almost certain that my '65, your '70, and the '72 LK that I worked on last summer all use the same full-width bulb. The bulb in my '72 had shattered, and I thought like you, that a replacement would be difficult to find. Much to my surprise, FSP still distributes new ones, and the one I ordered was less than a month old when I got it. I was able to order mine from my parts supplier, but I found them on ebay as well, and thru Sears.

My '72 uses bulb 95292, as does the '65. I am betting that your model number is 110.700480x (x is for the engineering revision). If I'm right, your machine uses 95292 also, and they are plentiful. I found them on ebay for prices ranging from $9.95 plus shipping to $20.02 plus shipping. My parts company shows one in stock, so I'd bet you can get one locally! You may want to check the starter and be sure it's ok. It may be accessible from the console back.

About the glare on the '76 - you're right Jon, now that I think about it, one of my friend's moms in high school had one too, and hers had that funky glare as well. Their laundry room had a big window in it however. Fortunately, the replacement panel looks great.

Good luck with the bulb Jon!


Post# 329320 , Reply# 13   2/8/2009 at 09:15 (5,528 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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That is going to be a sharp set Gordon, and thank you for freeing up some room in my shop. For rust I swear by hydrofloric acid (not hydrochloric) it takes rust off instantly. if it won't take it off, it's not coming off. But it is not corrosive, and it doesn't hurt if you get it all over your hands, although you should avoid contact of course. It also take a thin layer off aluminum which can be a god send for trim restoration. I learned about it from an autobody tech. I would have sent you some, but I am almost out. I need to find a chemical dealer.

Can't wait to see the finished pair. Matt


Post# 329322 , Reply# 14   2/8/2009 at 09:23 (5,528 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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Goatfarmer,

Are you sending a new panel, or using stick on decals? I was told by two sign companies that they couldn't make decals for me because of copyright. Don't supposed GE would grant me permission for the Mon Top I'm restoring?? LOL Matt


Post# 329323 , Reply# 15   2/8/2009 at 09:38 (5,527 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Gordon,

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Thanks for that info! The guy I bought the washer from had the orginal parts list for it still. The model number is exactly right. 110.7004801 in tawny gold. The part number you gave for the bulb is actually the part number listed on the original parts list. WHEW! I'm assuming they are 28" length?

Post# 329332 , Reply# 16   2/8/2009 at 11:11 (5,527 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Jon,

Something tells me that the length of the bulb is 26". With the machine's overall width being 29", the console being about 28.5", then taking into account the bulb sockets, etc. 26" seems about right to me. If memory serves the length was on the box from the new bulb.

Matt,

The console Kenny sent is used and was pulled from a scrap machine at some point. A lot of people seem to have taken them off machines when they sent one to the trash, hoping they could re-use them later (which we did from time to time). I have a supply of about 10 or 15 myself, just not the one this machine needs.

Replacement overlay stickers were made by a non-Whirlpool company called A-Line for some time and I used a few myself to fix up ugly panels. One of those along with some 3M woodgrain vinyl adhesive could make an unusable panel look like new. The only difference was they didn't say "Kenmore" on them anywhere.

I would think that a mom and pop shop with a decent example of some artwork to copy and a computerized label printing system should be able to make something that will work for you, especially if manufacturer names are not reproduced.


Post# 329340 , Reply# 17   2/8/2009 at 11:41 (5,527 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Gordon, that 800 is the exact same model (along with the dryer) friends of mine had from brand new until 1992 or so. It did end up in storage off & on while they lived outside the country due to his work assignments. I had known them for years in Houston and were transferred up here when I did. But I dind't see their house until they moved to a Dallas suburb. The first time I walked in their back door I about had an orgasm, the wife had been complaining she wished her old washer would die, but it wouldn't. The pair were kept in very good shape for all their years. The timer on the washer went and that was enough of an excuse for her to get new oes. I kept trying to tell her a Shredmore wasn't as good as what she had. The matching dryer was a SoftHeat timed only dryer with air cycle too. It also had a variable signal. But did have Auto Perm Press Care on the top of the lint filter door. I was actually surprised that a dryer so high up in the line didn't have an auto dry cycle, but I guess for 1965, ... Needless to say I enjoyed the 4 or 5 times I visited them before they got the new ones.

Post# 329344 , Reply# 18   2/8/2009 at 12:03 (5,527 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Bob -

How's this for a 65 800 dryer?

I have two of these now. This one and the one that came with the washer. Oddly, the dryers are a little different. The one that came with the washer has the newer style fixed rear bulkhead design, a small plug door and an adjustable cycle signal.

This dryer has a full-width door, no cycle signal adjustment, and the older drum design with the belt-drive blower. This dryer shows almost no sign whatsoever of ever having been used. If it weren't for some lint in the screen, I'd say it hadn't been. If the washer turns out OK, I very well may match these up and use them, maybe as my daily drivers in the house. The dryer is gas, so I'm a little leary of it until I have it checked out by someone qualified. It is an absolute BEAUTY though and would be cool next to my washer.


Post# 329361 , Reply# 19   2/8/2009 at 14:43 (5,527 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        
800 dryer

I had no idea that there was a version of these with a full width door. I always thought the plug door was the only kind you saw on a 65 800. Another new thing learned.:)

Have a good one,
James


Post# 329365 , Reply# 20   2/8/2009 at 15:41 (5,527 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Just a little update:

Both machines have proven fiesty today, but I think the green beast appreciates my help.

On the green machine, first I had to agitamer the agitator out, which always makes me laugh because I imagine this rocket-ship like loosened agitator streamning its way out of the machine (they almost always come loose suddenly) and lodging itself in the ceiling... I did have one slam the lid pretty hard one time.

Anyway, I got the agitator out which revealed rusty agitator shaft splines. No surprise but I won't be able to re-use the agitator shaft. I then tried to get the basket out, which proved to be a hassle. The basket was locked onto the drive block (happens a lot). After at least 30 minutes of struggling with it, I finally got it loose with the aid of some penetrating oil. Now I can skip the gym!

The outer tub looks pretty nice, and the centerpost looks almost new. There was an interesting spider's next in there too as a bonus!!

Next will be to remove the transmission and basket drive from underneath, as I suspect both are SOL.

On the '65, I haven't progressed so far. The basket locknut that fits on the driveblock won't budge, at least so far, not with all the coaxing I can muster. If RustBuster doesn't dislodge it after while I'm going to have to do what Robert did in his '57 Lady restoration and cut the locknut off. Yippie.

I was tired from working with the stuck locknut and the ungrateful '76 basket, so I took the two tub rings, the agitators and the '76 basket out to the back yard and took a hose and sponge to them. Thank gosh for a 65-degree day. They look much better.

The green '76 is going to need a new timer. Both the one it came with and the replacement are bad. I should be able to get parts out of both to make one work. That will be my project tonight.

That's all for now....

G



Post# 329374 , Reply# 21   2/8/2009 at 17:30 (5,527 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

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Gordon, Tx for the decal info. Matt

Post# 329632 , Reply# 22   2/10/2009 at 13:54 (5,525 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Very KEWL Gordon!!!

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Like others here I really like the '63! WOW what a mess, but boy did it clean up nicely!!! I'd love to have that and your '65 800 dryer!

I'm waiting to see the "after" photos of the "Green Beast"! It looks like that one should clean up nicely too!

And Gordon.... reset your cameras date stamp... 2002 was like, so 7 years ago! LOL


Post# 329639 , Reply# 23   2/10/2009 at 14:45 (5,525 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Kevin -

:-) Just for the record, you know the grief I've gone through with that camera, and these pics were taken at least in part due to your insistence on "more pictures, more pictures dude!". So, what I'm saying is "be happy with what you got bro..." :-)

I noticed that too actually and will fix the date next time I use it, presuming it still works (I take nothing for granted with that piece of...and was glad it worked at all).

An update on the beast - It looks promising. I am going to pull the outer tub because I see a detergent trail (a sign of previous leakage) on the baseplate and because the RustBuster puckered the centerpost grommet. It looks to be an easy pull (some really can be a pain). I expect to have about two or three hours work underneath and it should, if I'm lucky, be good to go.


Post# 329665 , Reply# 24   2/10/2009 at 18:18 (5,525 days old) by programcomputer (Ann Arbor Michigan, USA)        
Wow a matching 1965 Kenmore 800 Set

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Gordon,

The young couple, who used to be good friends of mine ( we just lost track), ended up getting from me my old 1965 Kenmore 800 set when they got their first place, and were expecting a child. From what I rememeber tho, they ended up moving from near Lansing to I believe Kentwood Michigan, to attend Calvin College up there. Unlikely you have my old machine, but that's the EXACT model I used to have. Kinda strange after just thinking abou them yesterday.

It had lots of temp combo's including warm-warm and hot-warm, which was weird to me becasue I had never used a machine before that let you select a warm rinse. I never liked the water level lever below the panel tho. After a load it would shimmy back just enough for the next load to not get a completly full tub of water. I fixed that later by adjusting the water level mechanism inside the panel.

I used to love it's wah-hmmmm wah-hmmmm wah-hmmm during agitation, and the very distinctive wooh, wooh, wooh, wooh sound as it pumped out the water and the difinitive clunk-clink sound it made just before it ramped into spin mode. I had that machine the first year I had my house. I only got rid of it, becasue my brother and his ladyfriend were living there at the time, and they constantly overloaded it. It had the worlds MOST OBNIXIOUS buzzer to let you know it had went off balance too.

You could literally hear it upstairs two floor up. And I was able to find a matching 1965 Lady Kenmore Pair that was all white. and had what seemed to be a larger capacity. And I like the fact that they matched too both machine and color.

My Kenmore 800 Dryer was mint green. While the washer was white. My dryer had the smaller door, no buzzer adjustment, but wasn't nearly as loud as the washers was. IT did have the two belt system, and had a shorter lint screen thanlater Kenmores and Whirlpools of the period. The only thing that I wasn't enthralled abou with the dryer was it had no "automatic setting".

You will if you dont already love that machine.


Chad

Ann Arbor Michigan

P.S. I used to reffer to that 1965 set, which was a like pair but mismatched colors as the "Dutchess Series". Not quite A Lady K, but a lady in waiting, or a Punky Brewster in waiting... LOL


Post# 329671 , Reply# 25   2/10/2009 at 19:13 (5,525 days old) by tuthill ()        

Awesome machines!

Post# 329704 , Reply# 26   2/10/2009 at 22:32 (5,525 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

I would love to see another shot of the str8 vane agitator. Now that you have removed it, you can take one from the same vantage point as the Super Rotoswirl in Post #329280. The green beast is so unique and amazing, being that it is a black paneled model with a standard tub, that gold agitator, and the manual filter. Quite unlike the other black paneled self cleaning models that followed.

Have a good one,
James


Post# 329794 , Reply# 27   2/11/2009 at 13:16 (5,524 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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James -

I'll be glad to do that for you!

Does anyone have any advise on how to get the detergent haze off the agitator? I'm sure something will take it off, I just don't want to dull the finish, etc.

I have decided not to work much more on the 65's Roto-Swirl. It still has mineral deposits on it, not like it did, but I'd have to scrub with something abrasive unless there is a product out there that will get the stuff off without dulling the black. It's amazingly new looking and I'm hoping the rest of the machine is the same way.


Post# 329854 , Reply# 28   2/11/2009 at 19:08 (5,524 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
you gonna be cleaning my dear(s)

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Them's some filthy old Kenmo's.

Post# 329883 , Reply# 29   2/11/2009 at 20:38 (5,524 days old) by magic clean ()        
Gordon

you can try Muriatic acid. BUT be very careful where that stuff splashes.

Post# 329898 , Reply# 30   2/11/2009 at 21:38 (5,524 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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When I was around eight years old, my summer babysitter had a set of these 65's in her laundry room. One of the first I was around a lot that had lighted panels, I thought they were the most beautiful things I'd ever seen and stared at them in wonder for hours. She dried much of her washing outside everyday so it was a real treat to see both washer and dryer lit up and running a the same time. Don S. gave me a set of these panels - still one of my favorite Kenmo's.

Post# 330069 , Reply# 31   2/13/2009 at 00:09 (5,523 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Here's what I did...

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I got a bakelite ramp activator a while back for my GE. It was completely covered with hard water deposit. Some places a couple of milimeters thick!

I went to my local grocer and bought several bottles of very cheap vinegar. Filled up a bucket with vinegar and soaked it for a few days periodically taking a brush and scrubbing. The vinegar eventually turns that stuff into paste and it wipes off for the most part.

That would be a lot safer than muratic acid. That stuff is VERY dangerous. You can't touch it and particularly cannot inhale it. It will do damage. I say vinegar soak first.

Jon


Post# 330097 , Reply# 32   2/13/2009 at 08:30 (5,523 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Muriatic acid

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I agree with Jon COMPLETELY about the muriatic acid.... I have some because of the pool in my back yard and YES this stuff is very, VERY nasty! The fumes.... even from an arms length are horrible!!!!

I would NOT suggest using that. Definitely try the vinegar before other, stronger options!


Post# 330102 , Reply# 33   2/13/2009 at 09:35 (5,522 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Jon and Kevin,

THANKS for the feedback. I'm going to try the vinegar on the gold agitator. I will let you know what happens.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm leary about doing much to the Roto-Swirl. You'd be surprised how deep shiny black this agitator is. Most of the crud is off of it, with trace lines of minerals remaining. I'd almost rather 'cheat' and use another agitator that I have vs. inadvertently dulling the luster of this one. I am however going to let it soak in water for a day or so and see what happens.


Post# 330191 , Reply# 34   2/13/2009 at 21:17 (5,522 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)        
Diluted vinegar

Hi Gordon:

You could try a diluted vinegar solution - perhaps 50/50 with distilled water to get the rest of the minerals off. I wouldn't use tap water as that will just make the vinegar work harder...

Andrew S.


Post# 330303 , Reply# 35   2/14/2009 at 13:28 (5,521 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        
Are we missing the obvious

Just a thought, how about a clean trash barrel with a hefty dose of laundry detergent and hot water. Immerse for a few hours and a good scrubbing with a towel or a soft brush or a brush with a towel over it. I bet alot of that residue would be removable with no damage to the finish. Can't hurt since this was what it was made for.
Jon


Post# 330345 , Reply# 36   2/14/2009 at 19:43 (5,521 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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John & Andrew -

I did a lot of work on the machine today, and spent some time cleaning the agitator. I used the vinegar idea, and with three or four tries, most of the residue has come off. It was etched into the plastic, and some still remains.

The trash barrel idea is a good one, but the agitator will actually fit sitting down or on it's side in my kitchen sink so I could do it that way if necessary. I may work on the black roto-swirl that way.

I have a lot of pictures from today's work, that I'll try to post later tonight.

Gordon


Post# 330348 , Reply# 37   2/14/2009 at 21:01 (5,521 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Very good!

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Vinegar does work but very slowly. I went through quite a bit and over a period of a few days. It didn't clean it 100% but pretty darn close. I'm anxious to see your progress. I finally should have some time tonight and will get photos and videos of the 900 series I just got.

Jon


Post# 330458 , Reply# 38   2/15/2009 at 11:38 (5,520 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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I'll be back at it today on the '65 800. The basket locknut is stuck tight. I am going to try heating the area with a torch, so we'll see how that goes. It should be interesting!

Wish me luck.... :-)


Post# 330503 , Reply# 39   2/15/2009 at 16:33 (5,520 days old) by dnastrau (Lords Valley, PA)        
PB Blaster , CRC Freeze-off or Kroil

PB Blaster, CRC Freeze-off or Kroil are very good penetrating oils. I'd give those a try. The first two are available at any Wal-Mart or your closest auto parts store. Contrary to what a lot of people think, WD-40 is really not a good penetrating oil.

Good luck!

Andrew S.



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