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Thread Number: 43047
Kenmore experts; can you answer some questions |
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Post# 633226 10/21/2012 at 11:21 (4,203 days old) by bajaespuma  (Connecticut) |
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Post# 633229 , Reply# 1 10/21/2012 at 11:22 (4,203 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts) |
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| Post# 633232 , Reply# 2 10/21/2012 at 11:36 (4,203 days old) by lebron (Minnesota) | ||
I'm no expert but... | ||
| Post# 633234 , Reply# 3 10/21/2012 at 11:50 (4,203 days old) by limitededition () | ||
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Yes it is the extra large tub | ||
| Post# 633236 , Reply# 4 10/21/2012 at 12:29 (4,203 days old) by bendixmark (Winchester Mass) | ||
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Lady Kenmore That is a really nice machine,its a 1974 kenmore with the pentaswirl agitator.The super surgilator agitator is compatible with that but I wouldnt change for that would make the machine a mongrel.That is a big capacity machine.You couldnt ask for a nicer all around washer. | ||
| Post# 633238 , Reply# 5 10/21/2012 at 12:30 (4,203 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA) | ||
( YES X 4 ) | ||
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Post# 633254 , Reply# 6 10/21/2012 at 14:29 (4,203 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Not meant to offend anyone but... it's hard for me to believe that the Penta-Swirl agitator, as interesting as it looks, was/is very effective. The vanes at the very bottom would be responsible for most of the movement and these appear to be minimal. And I've always wanted an excuse to go get a Super Surgilator. They're so virile.
I'm trying to buy this set. I'm pretending that my basement isn't so full of junk that it could accommodate one more appliance. | ||
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Post# 633263 , Reply# 7 10/21/2012 at 14:52 (4,203 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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| Post# 633264 , Reply# 8 10/21/2012 at 15:00 (4,203 days old) by 76speedqueen (Orleans County Ny) | ||
Penta Swirl | ||
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Post# 633265 , Reply# 9 10/21/2012 at 15:01 (4,203 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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 Yes on all accounts. BUT, you do not realizer something, your bias of wanting a Super Surgilator is blinding your objectivity. There's a whole lot more to that Penta Swirl. there are the big fins and the little fins at the skirt base. Also add in the curved vanes and straight vantes that are vertical down the shaft of the agitator to the base. All that combines to make quite nice movement. remember, this was Sears' BEST model that was offered for features and performance. It had to DELIVER performance. This machine doesn't shift to gentle agitation on Normal or Perm Press for 4 minutes of the wash cycle like the model with the Spank-u-later agitator skirtless-open fins design. That agitator could be very harshe on fabrics, hence the speed shift. As stated above it could turn this machine into a mongrle if you switched. Every manufacturer designed their machines with best combinatgion of features and "technology" to yield as b est a cleaning as possible (well except for indeixing Westginghouse lol). I also had the thought of "stock" feature set being disturbed on such a classic. This was the last of the Pano Keyboard LKs. The ensuing center dial and knobs panels were not worthy of the LK monicer and was deeemed illegitimate in my books. I see the same analagy as when KitchenAid brought out the SS tubs in their 24 series---it was nothing but a tricked out Kenmore UltraWash with SS interior and inferior racking arrangement. Yes, I wish they'd kept the vari-flex agitator that had been in LKs for several years, nothing moved clothes like it and cleaned them as well. I"m a purist. Don't mess with perfection. If you MUST feed that itch for a potent, "little blue pill presscribewd" super surgilator, go find a MOL center dial ex-large capacity Model 70 that dind't come with the dual action agiitator, but just the plain agitator, that wasn't even as nice as this one. Now THAT I can attest to you it dindm't move a full load of towels very well, rather pathetic when dealing with any type of BobLoad. | ||
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Post# 633290 , Reply# 10 10/21/2012 at 16:45 (4,202 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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What y'all don't know won't hurt you Well, they're on their way (fingers crossed because so many things can go wrong with a Craigslist purchase; the seller was more than flummoxed that a guy from Connecticut wanted a washer and dryer from 3 states away, but thankfully he was reasonable and, in the end, didn't care as long as the money was coming) and I'll keep an open mind on the Penta-Swirl. It certainly looks interesting but makes me wonder why they didn't make a Super Vari-Flex for these machines. I tend to not want to mess with originals, but I reserve the right to experiment, always. I'm also waiting on an earlier set of Ladies that are also on their way, so I'm going from zero Kenmores, to two matched sets of Ladies in one month! I always thought the extra-large capacity Whirlpools and Kenmores were huge so this will be an interesting side by side comparison. Can't say I've ever been fond of faux wood-grain finishes, but again I'll keep an open mind for the day when that stuff will take on vintage luster. I've learned from hard experience that when you mess with OE, it never seems to turn out well. | ||
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Post# 633312 , Reply# 11 10/21/2012 at 18:50 (4,202 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho) |
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This machine was way ahead of its time. Versatile, reliable, and an excellent performer. Good looking as well. | ||
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Post# 633329 , Reply# 12 10/21/2012 at 20:02 (4,202 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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1974 LKM Washer YAY, Ken we will turn you into a Kenmore guy yet.
This washer is a very good machine overall, the Pentaswirl agitator was effective and yet quite gentile. The WP Super Surgulator with the wings will fit just fine in this washer and it does turn over a big load a little better, and better yet are the early Dual Action KM agitators if you really want to load this washer and see what it can do with over 50 gallons of water used per load. | ||
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Post# 633331 , Reply# 13 10/21/2012 at 20:16 (4,202 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Ken,
I think you are going to like this set too. It will be really interesting to hear what you have to say in regard to a comparison between this '74 Large cap set and the other set you have coming. The difference in capacity is something I take for granted, but I will look forward to reading your reactions to both sets as they come from someone making new, first impressions. The Penta Swirl has had some bad press, but it is surprisingly effective. I was first interested in it because I've used DAAs for nearly 30 years, and it was something different. I became sold on it however on the good results it delivers and how much it takes to actually overwhelm it. Congrats on a good purchase! Gordon | ||
| Post# 633336 , Reply# 14 10/21/2012 at 20:28 (4,202 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.) | ||
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Congratulations on your new acquisitions. I don't think I've ever seen a Penta Swirl washing in person, but judging from the videos I've seen, you'll be plenty satisfied with its performance. Good luck, James | ||
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Post# 633347 , Reply# 15 10/21/2012 at 21:28 (4,202 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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Hi Ken,
Yeah a lot of people have "poop-poo'd" the penta-swirl over the years, but it does do a better job of moving everything around then many give it credit for.
You may remember I have a '74 Lady K (in avocado). Same machine and same agitator as the one you are getting (CONGRATS!!).
Back in April when I hosted the big wash-in, a load was run in the '74 Lady K while Jon, Greg, Robert, Fred and Roger looked on. They ALL walked away surprised (dare I say impressed?) saying it "moved the clothes around a lot better then I thought it would" (or something to that effect).
Here is a photo of them watching it wash!
Kevin 
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Post# 633352 , Reply# 16 10/21/2012 at 21:56 (4,202 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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I was impressed with the Penta-Swirl when I walked up to the washer! Remember, it was Kelly and I pushing more and more clothes into the washer, with the approving nod from Gordon. Those first large-capacity machines could really handle a huge load. The Super-Surgilator was more agressive, but the Penta-Swirl can hold it's own.
Hope all goes well with your import, Ken! | ||
| Post# 633405 , Reply# 17 10/22/2012 at 07:37 (4,202 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c ) | ||
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Penta Swirl... A Penta Swirl in theory would wash about like a Maytag, but in reality it washes RINGS around a Maytag, why I dont know, both have vanes only at the bottom, but the Sears will handle a much bigger load. | ||
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Post# 633413 , Reply# 18 10/22/2012 at 08:12 (4,202 days old) by BrianL (Saddle Brook, New Jersey) |
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That Penta-Swirl agitator! | ||
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Post# 633415 , Reply# 19 10/22/2012 at 08:23 (4,202 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Post# 633416 , Reply# 20 10/22/2012 at 08:32 (4,202 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Ken,
The dryer, if it is a 1974 model too, is indeed larger than the previous Lady K dryers, by 1.0 cu ft. They are considerably more generous in space. The standard dryer works fine with the big washer, but the larger dryer is better to assist in avoiding wrinkles, etc. I think the best results I've seen in drying is when I load a standard size wash load in the big dryer. They dry fast and are usually wrinkle free. I suppose as a testament to their original design, both the standard dryer and the large dryer remain in production today. They weigh less of course, have been updated here and there, but are generally still around all these years later. Gordon | ||
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Post# 633454 , Reply# 21 10/22/2012 at 14:06 (4,202 days old) by joefuss1984 (Little Rock, AR) |
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Penta Swirl
I wasn't much on the Pentaswirl either until I put a queen sized blanked in my aunts washing machine. I was expected to have to push the blanket down in the water to get it fully submerged. As soon as agitation started the blanked was pulled under. Needless to say I was very impressed, good turn over too.
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Post# 633486 , Reply# 22 10/22/2012 at 17:25 (4,201 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Yes I will attest at Kevin's 
I was gobsmacked at what I saw going on in the Penta Swirl Universe there! I was the one who made the off comment looking at the empty tub "that won't do anything" and Roger dared me to watch as they fired it up!
I couldn't believe how much action there was in the tub! And no matter how many clothes they threw in there was still action! I had to eat my words, however that said,there will only be Super Surgilators in this house. BTW Ken I love your new Bubble Woman Avatar! As I remember all she said on LIS was pleasant sing songy bubbly untranslatable gibberish. Was Robot able to translate I forget?? She dressed nice for a spacewoman, they can be so trashy sometimes! | ||
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Post# 633493 , Reply# 23 10/22/2012 at 18:09 (4,201 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts) |
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Well then | ||
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Post# 633495 , Reply# 24 10/22/2012 at 18:27 (4,201 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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It's not even here yet and I'm already futzing with "Pretty, pretty Dr. Smith!" And then she would bob up and down in space and coo like an oversexed pigeon. And Jon! She actually had a name! Athena!!!! The actress was appropriately statuesque Vitina Marcus (a "B" list version of Julie Newmar). Vitina guest-starred on a lot of the TV shows we watched too much of as kids. She was on "The Wild, Wild West" and "Get Smart" apparently and uncredited. Can't remember whether Vitina's character or Susan Oliver's Green Orion Slave girl came first but there was definitely a Sixites Zeitgeist for green-skinned sexy bitches. At one point they even gave Athena a boyfriend, but he was just a big fat green Hagar.
And speaking of wild colors, would one of those gorgeous Blue KitchenAid Dual-Action Agitators fit in this machine?
And does anyone here have a BLACK Super Surgilator that they'd like to sell me? There's nothing like a black agitator to make your wig wag. | ||
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Post# 633802 , Reply# 25 10/23/2012 at 19:20 (4,200 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Athena! | ||
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Post# 633804 , Reply# 26 10/23/2012 at 19:25 (4,200 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts) |
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Post# 633894 , Reply# 27 10/24/2012 at 08:01 (4,200 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Post# 633914 , Reply# 28 10/24/2012 at 09:04 (4,200 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Ken -
The Direct Drive agitators don't fit in a belt-drive. The splines are the same, the centerpost designs are of similar arrangement in regard to shaft, seals, bearings, centerpost, etc but the DD agitator shafts are considerably shorter. If you put a DD agitator in a BD, it would seat on the splines, but rise perhaps as much as halfway out of the lid well (I tried already, lol). Gordon | ||
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Post# 633968 , Reply# 29 10/24/2012 at 13:20 (4,200 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) |
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Gordon, | ||
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Post# 633976 , Reply# 30 10/24/2012 at 14:31 (4,200 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Ken -
Glad to help! The new arrangement will work. You will need to get a plastic drive block to install on the agitator shaft splines, but once you do that, this will work. You will also be able to use any other of the standard capacity WP bakelite agitators once you do that, however you'll have to pull the block to go back to other style agitators. I am going to link a youtube video that Austin did with the same agitator, but using a 1982 machine mated to a 1968 control panel. The difference with the '82 vs. the '74 is that the 1974 is approximately 3/4 of an inch deeper than the machine in his video. The water level comes up unusually high on a standard cap agitator when used in the late 1981 and later large cap machines. The use of these agitators in the older machines would then raise the water level (when full anyway) approximately 3/4" even higher on the agitator. I just want you to be aware of that. This makes the level much higher than would be seen in a standard application. All that said, my suggestion is that if you're going to use a bakelite agitator in either a large capacity machine or a short centerpost model (the '74 is not a short post model, nor is the 1970) that you be sure the block is seated all the way, that the agitator seats properly on the block, and that the seal in the agitator cap is fully functional. These machines count on the formation of an air pocket under the agitator to keep the bearings, seals, and much of the centerpost dry. The bakelite agitators don't seal as well as the newer splined agitators, so in machines as I mentioned that are more likely to flood these parts anyway, a working seal system is important if you're going to use that agitator very often. At least verifying the seal would allow peace of mind. Gordon CLICK HERE TO GO TO Kenmoreguy64's LINK | ||
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Post# 633979 , Reply# 31 10/24/2012 at 14:33 (4,200 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
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Here is a link to the drive block you need, part number 350211. Decent price I think considering free shipping, but I haven't bought one of these in quite some time.
Gordon CLICK HERE TO GO TO Kenmoreguy64's LINK on eBay | ||
| Post# 633991 , Reply# 32 10/24/2012 at 14:58 (4,200 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada) | ||
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