Thread Number: 31943
Lady Kenmore Detroit Craigslist
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Post# 481528   12/13/2010 at 22:01 (4,854 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        

akronman's profile picture
the ad says:

Lady Kenmore mint condition vintage washer and Gas dryer - $75 (Canton)

These beauties will add class to any home. They don't make them like this anymore, like the lift up panel covered in luxurious faux mahogany, to reveal a light, so the lady of the house can work without disturbing the rest of the family. :)

When we moved into our home a couple years ago, these were here and looked as if they hadn't been used at all. The little old lady who lived here it seems rarely used them. My wife wanted a larger washer, its a medium size. They both work great, and like I said they don't make them like this anymore, I'm sure these will be kicking long after the ones we just bought.

This is the washer in the picture the dryer is in the same condition.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO akronman's LINK on Detroit Craigslist





Post# 481541 , Reply# 1   12/13/2010 at 22:32 (4,854 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Detroit is our friend... <3

Post# 481547 , Reply# 2   12/13/2010 at 23:30 (4,854 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
A keyboard treasure

mickeyd's profile picture
That's my all-time favorite Lady K, and what a great price, esp. if as little used as claimed. What a sweet present these would make.

Post# 485693 , Reply# 3   1/1/2011 at 17:19 (4,835 days old) by sudslock1 (St Louis)        
Hmmmmm

Does anyone have a pic of what this would look like with the control cover in the up position? What kind of agitator did this model use?

Post# 485705 , Reply# 4   1/1/2011 at 18:02 (4,835 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
How about this.....

revvinkevin's profile picture

The washer is a 1974 and the dryer is a 1970. Sears changed the control panels each year '70 thru '74.
1970 thru 1973 had the standard capacity tub and the Vari-Flex agitator.
In '74 the washer changed to the large capacity tub with a Penta Swirl agitator.

Kevin


Post# 485714 , Reply# 5   1/1/2011 at 18:39 (4,835 days old) by sudslock1 (St Louis)        
Thanks

Thank you for answering my question Kevin. I'm pretty new to Kenmores and just wanted to know.

Davy


Post# 486113 , Reply# 6   1/3/2011 at 16:24 (4,833 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
The Beautiful Ladies

Mark/Dave,

Went and picked these up last night. They are in very good condition for their age and do not appear to be abused. They are 1971 models and were acquired from the original owner, an eldery lady who had recently passed away. A very nice young couple bought the home she lived in, and these were there. The washer does not have a suds-saver as I had hoped, but that will be changing as part of the restoration. It is a 12-pound capacity machine with Vari-Flex agitator. An interesting part of my machine is that it has the narrow drive belt p/n#96388 and not p/n#95405 that we are used to seeing.

The dryer, aside from needing new front and rear seals, a good cleaning and a belt, idler pulley, and rollers, also appears to be in very good repair.

Both units probably would be fine in their current condition, but me being a perfectionist and knowing how well they can perform in top condition, they will both go through the standard restoration process. I will keep you all posted. They truly are a prized pair as Mike said. As soon as it warms up a bit, I will take a few photos of the units and pass them on.


Post# 486116 , Reply# 7   1/3/2011 at 16:27 (4,833 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture
Congrats, Walt!

Post# 486156 , Reply# 8   1/3/2011 at 18:50 (4,833 days old) by appnut (TX)        
. It is a 12-pound capacity machine with Vari-Flex agitator.

appnut's profile picture
Walt congratulations. Look forard to pics when it warms up.

If they are officially classified as 12 pound, I think it's closer to the equivalent of a 14 pound capacity. When we went from the 64 Norge15 to the 1970 Kenmore 800, the capacity and capability of what could be washed in there was negligible in difference.


Post# 486198 , Reply# 9   1/3/2011 at 20:28 (4,833 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Big Congrats

mickeyd's profile picture
At 75 bucks, you really hit the jackpot. Think the thinner belts made them so quiet. These Early 70's Lady K's are among the coolest, most amazing, most versatile machines ever made. A triumph of a washer!


Post# 486201 , Reply# 10   1/3/2011 at 20:36 (4,833 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
PS

mickeyd's profile picture
Walt, I think it's awesome that you're going to morph it into a Suds; there is no greater fun than a KM suds! I LOVE them.


Post# 486247 , Reply# 11   1/4/2011 at 00:11 (4,833 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

I'm curious how you are going to convert them to suds saver.  Are you going to replace the timer mechanism?  I know on my '73 LK there was no room on the panel for that option, I'm sure it was available still, but curious how it was implemented.


Post# 486300 , Reply# 12   1/4/2011 at 11:19 (4,832 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Hi Matt

mickeyd's profile picture
You don't really need a button, just a space on the main dial. See if you have one. On mine it's an unmarked black"loop" before the "Cottons" cycles, color-coded in blue. If you turn the dial to that 4 minute segment, the machine lights up and agitates for 2 timer increments, then shuts off.

I hope you find this secret cycle. It's amazing. It will work with any amount of water in the tub, wash for 4 minutes, then soak indefinately. I use it a lot to soak and wash loads of varying sizes, resetting the secret cycle every now and then, depending on how much agitation the load needs, then on to drain, rinse & spin options. You can really play those buttons and that dial to get unexpected versatility. Actually, it's like turning your automatic into a conventional or semi-automatic machine.

How to re-configure the pump, ports, and valves is beyond my pay grade ;->

Remember only the TOL's had switches for drain, save, and return, allowing you to use one one drain hose when desired or necessary. The standard machines just had a place on the timer marked Suds, where the water was returned and then the timer advanced to the regular cycle.




This post was last edited 01/04/2011 at 11:48
Post# 486388 , Reply# 13   1/4/2011 at 17:54 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
The Suds Will Return

Hi Gang,

I see Matt had a question on how I was going to implement making "My Fair Lady" a Suds Saver.

Well Matt, on my machine, it is actually pretty simple. Scrambling a few hoses is the hardest part. One of the benefits of this machine is the fact that "Suds" is active on this machine's timer. If you look on the dial, you will see the short blank spot just prior to the PRE-SOAK cycle. That is a 4-minute increment dedicated for Suds Return. Where this area is on some of the different Kenmore timers, obviously varies. Not all of them have it, and some of them that do, it is not active. I changed a machine just like Kevin's over to a Suds-Saver probably 30 years ago or better. This was a case that the timer had Suds Return on it, but it wasn't shown on the console and it had to be activated on the timer.

The terminal marked LBU on the timer is the control wire for the Suds Valve as a few of us know. That wire and a white wire (neutral), was added from the water valve. That took care of controlling the valve. Now, we had to activate "Suds Return" on the timer. This is the part that is foggy in my memory. There was a jumper wire that had to be added between two terminals marked "Suds". This gave the machine a "Suds Return" position on the timer. Which if memory serves, was masked by a portion of the "OFF" position just prior to "PRE-SOAK" and just after the cycle that would be used for "DELICATES". The one thing I had to warn the customer of, was the absence of the so-called "Suds-Switch". Gordon can tell you that this switch gave two options. Default from the factory only allowed about 16 gallons of the Suds Water to be saved due to the fact that not all homes had laundry tubs large enough to hold 20 gallons of water. If you wanted to save all the Suds Water, you placed a jumper wire across 2 terminals of the switch, the timer would ignore the default setting, and save all of the Suds Water. This switch was only found on 18-pound capacity machines, and I am not sure if all early 18-pound machines used this switch. For that bit of data, ask Gordon.

Now, Bob and Dave wanted to see pics of the consoles. Ok fellas, for your viewing pleasure:


Post# 486389 , Reply# 14   1/4/2011 at 17:58 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
Console #2

The Timer Dial. Note the blank 4-minute increment just prior to Pre-Soak.

Post# 486390 , Reply# 15   1/4/2011 at 18:01 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
Console #3

The Fabulous Keyboard. She will make beautiful music.

Post# 486391 , Reply# 16   1/4/2011 at 18:03 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
OK, Now the Dryer.

Certainly not as exciting as the washer, but still rather dapper.

Post# 486393 , Reply# 17   1/4/2011 at 18:08 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
Timer section.

Dial, Start button, and lint alert.

Post# 486394 , Reply# 18   1/4/2011 at 18:13 (4,832 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
And You Mugs Thought I Wouldn't Make My Fair Lady Lift U

Here's one for my pal from St. Louis!!

Post# 486466 , Reply# 19   1/5/2011 at 01:43 (4,831 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Alas, my LK washer is long gone, but the dryer resides in a storage building.  Interesting things you learn here.  I vaguely recall that spot of the timer,  I'm sure I played with it at some point but the memory eludes me tonight. 

Thanks for the info, who knows I may stumble across one again.


Post# 486498 , Reply# 20   1/5/2011 at 08:38 (4,831 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Surprised

mrb627's profile picture
Surprised to see the plastic splash guard in the kenmore.  Thought all of that vintage had the porcelain on steel ring.

​Malcolm


Post# 487450 , Reply# 21   1/9/2011 at 01:08 (4,828 days old) by speed_queen75 ()        
MattL

Im Giving my LK 1972 away, for either trade of a Portable BD WP KM or a full size BD WP, if interested email me..

Lee


Post# 487457 , Reply# 22   1/9/2011 at 03:16 (4,827 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

I really appreciate the offer, and I do have a belt drive WP in storage too, but at the moment I'm out of space. A few months ago I went from 1 to 3 washers and that's about all I can handle. I guess the timing is just off, I really did like that machine...

Post# 487530 , Reply# 23   1/9/2011 at 12:14 (4,827 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Our 1970 or 1971 Kenmore 800 had that 4 minute agitation segment just before presoak also. That could be used for the suds rturn. And perfect that it was gentle agitation too and not having water spalsh all over the place as it re-enters the tub.

Post# 487559 , Reply# 24   1/9/2011 at 14:21 (4,827 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
About the plastic tub ring

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Malcolm,

The plastic tub ring debuted sometime during the production of the 1972 LK model. I have seen 72 LKs with the metal ring, but more with the plastic one. Of the three I have had, two have the plastic rings (still have both). The model numbers are revised to account for the different parts used.

Oddly, I have two '72 model Kenmores which were found side-by-side in a junk yard about two years ago. They were made two weeks apart in January/February 1973. One is the Lady, one is a 60-series. The 60 series was made two weeks later, but has a metal ring. I think the plastic debuted in the upper end models first, and got to the lower machines progressively. At one time, I had a different 1972 model 60-series that was made in summer 1973 and it had the plastic ring as well. Seems like this transition occurred late 1972 and through early to mid 1973.

Gordon


Post# 487569 , Reply# 25   1/9/2011 at 14:46 (4,827 days old) by speed_queen75 ()        
MattL

Oh dont tease me, LOL :-) I would love to have that WP BD you have, this LK is in really good shape, here is a pic of it, if anyone wants it let me know..

Post# 487818 , Reply# 26   1/10/2011 at 00:55 (4,827 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

If only you were closer.....

Post# 489051 , Reply# 27   1/15/2011 at 07:52 (4,821 days old) by MaytagMan806S ()        
The Lady K Washer is singing away

Hey Gang,

For any of those who are interested, I managed to brave the cold in the garage and begin working on the Lady Washer. Naturally, the machine had to be partially thawed out to be disassembled, but fortunately there was no freeze damage. When I picked the pair up a few weeks back, the were in a cold garage and already frozen.

Upon a thorough examination of the washer, I found several issues. 1) The fabric softener dispenser solenoid mounting flange had the notorious crack in it (No, there was no water in it and the whole assembly was secure so it wasnt moving. The solenoid mounting/bracket screws were overtorqued). 2) A 1/8" HSS drill bit took a ride over the top of the basket and ended up jammed in the manifold trap. 3) The lower impeller in the pump was stripped clean from the shaft, so obviously the dispensers were not working for sometime. 4) When I managed to thaw out the dispenser valve under the transmission, probably a dozen straight pins fell out (figure that one out) and lastly, 5) The grease Whirlpool applied to the keyboard mechanism to make it work smoothly, decided to crystalize (Most of the buttons didn't want to work and the ones that did, would not release when you applied another. So there went another hour or two chiseling the old grease out with a dental pick and regreasing everything with dielectric grease).

After everything I saw, it became obvious that the washer may have sat a lot longer then I was told. If it was in operation, I would hate to hear the noise it was making with the pump screwed up (which was the reason the dispensers were not working and the fabric softner side did not make a flood).

Other then that, the machine is in pristine mechanical condition now. The centerpost still has a pretty fair amount of shiny plating visable. The underside is still shiny, with the exception the motor was a little bit dirty with dust. I replaced the narrow belt with a new one, replaced the pump with an OEM 4-port (another fiasco), greased the centerpost, and although it was not leaking, I also opted to put the replacment OEM filter on in place of the cone.

I have all of the electrical done and the suds valve installed and working. Don't ask me how I mananged to find the correct mounting bracket for the valve in all this stuff, but I saved one from way back when.

So, she happily sings now. When it gets warmer, I'll make the hoses I need to plumb the valve and filter, and it will be ready to go. Maybe she'll be caught by Candid Camera and she'll smile (she doesn't know about her Harvest Gold twin in the basement yet, but she will).

Lee-

Your Lady K is a fine machine. I would certainly trade if I was closer (I have several machines you would be happy with). The second lady is your machine's twin, except mine has Suds and there is no matching dryer.


Post# 489072 , Reply# 28   1/15/2011 at 10:28 (4,821 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
Aferim!

bajaespuma's profile picture
Very jealous here. If there's one Kenmore set I've always wanted it's that wild and woolly Lady Kenmore with the Vari-flex and all the buttons. That dryer must be blazingly fast being that it's a Kenpool that heats with gas. Enjoy them in good health!


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