Thread Number: 47320
The 1970 avocado Kenmores have landed (in my basement)!
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Post# 687280   7/4/2013 at 13:52 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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My brother and I went to pick up the 1970 avocado Kenmore's this morning and they are safely in my basement!  After a cursory inspection and photo shoot I can report the following:

 

1.  The dryer appears to be in very good condition.  Pictures and details to follow below.

2.  The washer less so but nothing that restorative work cannot repair.

 

The dryer console: 





Post# 687281 , Reply# 1   7/4/2013 at 13:53 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Lit up


Post# 687282 , Reply# 2   7/4/2013 at 13:53 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Ready for my close-up:


Post# 687283 , Reply# 3   7/4/2013 at 13:54 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Drum - nearly pristine:


Post# 687284 , Reply# 4   7/4/2013 at 13:55 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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another angle:


Post# 687285 , Reply# 5   7/4/2013 at 13:56 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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What appears to be the coveted modulating gas valve - note the capillary tube:


Post# 687286 , Reply# 6   7/4/2013 at 13:57 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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and the thermostat bulb in the exhaust outlet:


Post# 687287 , Reply# 7   7/4/2013 at 13:58 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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On to the washer.

Console and tub with lid up.


Post# 687289 , Reply# 8   7/4/2013 at 14:02 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Console close-up:

Note that the backlight is on whenever the machine is in a cycle,

the neon indicator light comes on ONLY for the timer increments that begins a cycle with an Alphabet Letter.

For example if you turn the timer to letter "B" the neon light comes on and stays on until the timer advances to the 8 minute mark of the Regular cycle.


Post# 687290 , Reply# 9   7/4/2013 at 14:02 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Some unfortunate rust in the washtub :(


Post# 687291 , Reply# 10   7/4/2013 at 14:11 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Other observations of the washer:

The suds valve is toast.  It is the older style aluminum body valve and one of the inlets has completely corroded off.

For the time being I will plumb around that and make it a non-suds machine.

The basket brake seems to be pretty much shot.  I can spin the tub by hand easily and it takes about 15-20 seconds for the tub to stop spinning.

The entire motor/drive assembly seems loud, especially when agitating.  I'm not sure if this is a function of the fact that it's not balanced and level right now or if there are more serious issues.  

 

I think this set is again one of those situations where the washer saw pretty normal use for many years and is tired.

The dryer, however, probably saw less than half of the use since she most likely hung a lot of things out to dry.

 

My initial plan is to get the dryer vacuumed out, cosmetically spiffed up and put directly into use.  I'm pretty stoked to have a WP gas dryer with TRUE soft heat and automatic dryness control to use.  The 1967 Maytag HOH will have to languish in storage for a while.....

 

I will most likely play with the washer for a few weeks and then set it aside for moderate to major Belt-Drive Rebuild.  God only knows what the spin tube, center post and center post bearings look like!


Post# 687299 , Reply# 11   7/4/2013 at 15:27 (3,920 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
Congratulations!

The KM dryer is a much better dryer than the Maytag. You will enjoy its performance and capacity. What is the BTU rating; about 25,000?

Post# 687305 , Reply# 12   7/4/2013 at 16:26 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Tom, 25,000 btu at full tilt.  I will scan and post the electrical schematic here for those that want to try to figure out how this machine works it "Soft-Heat" magic.

 

I just finished cleaning it and hooked it up.  It is SOOO quiet.  It heats right now that's all I can say about it.  Perhaps later this evening or in the morning I will dry in it for the first time!

 

While it is not the "Super Capacity" of the later Kenmore dryers, I bet it can handle a full 16-18 lb. load from my 1984 Whirlpool 7800!


Post# 687306 , Reply# 13   7/4/2013 at 16:29 (3,920 days old) by jetaction (Minneapolis)        
i am so glad you have cycle "f"

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You can finally wash your lingerie! Congrats to you!


Post# 687309 , Reply# 14   7/4/2013 at 16:38 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Yes, Don, my dainties will now get the delicate Roto-Swirl treatment that a Power-Fin just CAN'T provide!


Post# 687310 , Reply# 15   7/4/2013 at 17:22 (3,920 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Gas Kenmore Dryer With TRUE Soft Heat

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Yay Mark, you will love this dryer, the Fabric Master automatic dry cycle works in a very unique way on this dryer. The pink and red wires you see on the left side of the gas valve connect to a micro-switch that closes and completes a circuit to the timer motor when the flame is modulated down to the minimum size. Normally this will not happen until almost all moisture is evaporated from the clothing load being dried. This is very similar to the dry control system used on 29" KM gas combos. In theory it should work very well, however KM only ever used this system on a few dryers as your Gas Dryer is one of the last to have this Great Modulating Gas Burner.


Post# 687312 , Reply# 16   7/4/2013 at 17:32 (3,920 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
Wow

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Great set! Those consoles with their Octagon windows are cool as hell. And that 2nd rinse option too. Being WP/KM and abundant machines, you should be able to get the suds valve replaced, then you'll be the envy of the club.




This post was last edited 07/04/2013 at 20:52
Post# 687314 , Reply# 17   7/4/2013 at 17:33 (3,920 days old) by bigalsf (Salt Lake City)        
Great looking set!

Congratulations on your new acquisition! Thanks for sharing the pics.

The dryer is excellent shape; you could say it's "mint-y" green! :)

Good luck with the rebuild of the washer; I just got done with one and it was a bear, but so worth it!

Have fun, and have a great holiday!


Post# 687323 , Reply# 18   7/4/2013 at 18:03 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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A few more pics as the process went along...

 

The failed suds valve:


Post# 687326 , Reply# 19   7/4/2013 at 18:05 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Under the skirt:


Post# 687327 , Reply# 20   7/4/2013 at 18:07 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Maiden (for me) wash:


Post# 687328 , Reply# 21   7/4/2013 at 18:10 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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The happy couple, kept together for their "second life!"


Post# 687330 , Reply# 22   7/4/2013 at 18:11 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Incidentally, the serial number on the washer starts: C950.....

Would this mean Clyde, OH, 1969, 50th week?


Post# 687335 , Reply# 23   7/4/2013 at 18:30 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Side note...just learned in the maiden wash that the "off balance" switch and buzzer work correctly!


Post# 687347 , Reply# 24   7/4/2013 at 19:18 (3,920 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

I've picked up those suds valves at the parts place so they are or were available recently. I think they have plastic bodies now, but I didn't examine them that closely. Friends had those machines and those cast control panels are weighty.

Post# 687352 , Reply# 25   7/4/2013 at 19:37 (3,920 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Aren't these the very same model machines that were used in Karen Fairgate's kitchen on the set of Knotts Landing?

OOB switch and buzzer working correctly? Uhh, did I spy sheets and towels in that load together? I learned with the 1964 Norge Dispensomat and the 1970 Kenmore 800 you don't mix items like that and not suffer an OOB in almost every spin. Sheets with sheets and towels and underwear together.

I bet the Wrinkle Guard is the style which tumbles 10 or 15 seconds every 5 minutes. Now as to whether it does that for 45 minutes or 2.5 hours? I dont' think Sears "messed" with the Wrinkle Guard feature until the ubiquitous center dial Kenmores emerged with their black faced panel in the mid 1970s. Winkle Guard then became I with 30 minutes of continuous tumbling; II with the inetermittant tumbing on the timer dial for 45 minutes; and III was for the LK and still did the 2.5 hours maximum or until you opened the door.


Post# 687361 , Reply# 26   7/4/2013 at 20:26 (3,920 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Love this style of panel.  Very different from the "traditional" dial panels at the time.


Post# 687378 , Reply# 27   7/4/2013 at 21:48 (3,920 days old) by A440 ()        

Fantastic Find!

Post# 687380 , Reply# 28   7/4/2013 at 21:59 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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The "Wrinkle Guard" on this machine is the 15 second tumble every 5 minutes for about 2 hours.  At least that's what the Owner's Manual says.  So far I've only let it go about 30 minutes before I intervened. 


Post# 687382 , Reply# 29   7/4/2013 at 22:48 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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I never bothered to mention in THIS thread that these are my "dream" machines.  This is THE washing machine that I grew up with until I was 12 years old, except that our machines was white.  Our dryer was a 1967-ish Kenmore model 70.  Here is a picture of those actual machines that I took using my Kodak Instamatic in the summer of 1980 when we were remodeling the basement and creating a new laundry room.  Our machine was also a suds-saver.


Post# 687383 , Reply# 30   7/4/2013 at 23:07 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Here is a scan of the washer from Spring/Summer 1970 Sears "Big Book" catalog.  To my knowledge, this is the only catalog this machine ever appeared in.


Post# 687384 , Reply# 31   7/4/2013 at 23:08 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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And the dryer from the catalog:


Post# 687385 , Reply# 32   7/4/2013 at 23:09 (3,920 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

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Nice set! And I think they look great in Avocado!

Post# 687386 , Reply# 33   7/4/2013 at 23:10 (3,920 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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And another scan from the same catalog showing the same basic console design with (in my opinion) a much more pedestrian set of controls.


Post# 687394 , Reply# 34   7/5/2013 at 00:19 (3,920 days old) by areuoneto ()        
Same Set

We had this same set in avocado my parents purchased them in March of 1970 the same month I was born, we had them until 1978 when they where replaced with almond Maytags A408 & DE408 for their new house green wasn't in the decorating with the laundry area of the kitchen, the Kenmores went to our rental house and used by a few families over the years and replaced in 1998. I remember when the Maytags arrived you couldn't just lift the lid to watch, I found if you took a Lego on the lid switch I got my entertainment!! Enjoy

Post# 687395 , Reply# 35   7/5/2013 at 01:33 (3,920 days old) by A440 ()        

What great prices!


Post# 687396 , Reply# 36   7/5/2013 at 01:35 (3,920 days old) by appnut (TX)        
The Pedestrian, basic console model

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Mark, that model was the one I wanted when it came time to replace the dead 1964 Norge Dispensomat with the 8 programmed cycle buttons I didn't agree with--after all, I'd learned to do laundry the Lady Kenmore way and those 8 Norge cycles didn't match. After all, this machine had everything I thought was basic necessity--could chose all your own options and had all the requir3ed basic cycles. Thankfully the mom wanted something with a bit more dazzle and lighted console to it, the infamous Kenmore 800 and that is what we ended up with. We paid like $249 for the Kenmore 800. What was the price for that one that was Pedestrian Mark?

Post# 687406 , Reply# 37   7/5/2013 at 06:40 (3,919 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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A very handsome pair! Too bad about the suds-saver valve. I do love suds-saver machines. Great console/dial styling. Congratulations!

Post# 687433 , Reply# 38   7/5/2013 at 09:27 (3,919 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        
a much more pedestrian set of controls...

and a three position water level control instead of an infinitely variable control.

Post# 687435 , Reply# 39   7/5/2013 at 09:53 (3,919 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Here's the full scan of the 60 model from 1970 Spring/Summer catalog as requested.

 

It is curious how similar these machines really are from a cycle standpoint.  I suspect that they use the same timer and both have the self-cleaning lint filter.

 

The only differences I can see in features are:

1. The lack of timed bleach & fabric softener dispensers, the 60 having the agitator-mounted dispenser.

2. The manual water temp control which would like preclude the use of a cold rinse on the hot and warm settings unless you changed the dial after the wash filled.

3. The 3-position water level switch instead of the infinite.


Post# 687442 , Reply# 40   7/5/2013 at 11:09 (3,919 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Mark -

Let me guess, your washer's model number is 110.7005700 or something nearby up to 110.7005704. If it was 110.7004700 (non-suds) the first few revisions use timer 362357, while the later versions use timer 363089. They both sub to 373844 as the last available WP/FSP timer.

The "pedestrian" 60 series non-suds machine is model 110.7004610. These went all the way up to 110.7004619 in revisions except for some reason they skipped 612 and 614. Early versions use timer 363385 which subs over to 379372, which was a very common timer and is still typically widely available on ebay. This timer was used in several other mid-line machines from 1970 that I have or had.

Thus the 60 and the 70 didn't use the same timer. That is not unusual, as Sears usually spec'd a different timer for machines without solenoid controlled dispensers. The 70-series' timer may have been useable in models with water flushed detergent dispensers as well. Some of the engineer's rationale often doesn't seem to make sense as to why they used what, but it clearly made sense to them at the time. Sometimes the only difference in a timer is the presence of a dry agitate in the normal cycle or not, whether or not the timer can be used as-is in suds models, whether is has fast or slow agitation in Pre-Wash, etc. The difference may also rest in how the knobs attach as well (some had timer hubs and others screwed directly on).

I think the 60-series model from your catalog shot was pretty long-lived. It was even re-invented in 1972 with a bronze color inset on the left console instead of charcoal.

Gordon


Post# 687443 , Reply# 41   7/5/2013 at 11:20 (3,919 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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By the way Mark,

FANTASTIC save on the pair, the dryer looks mint just as you said. The washer looks great too.

Oddly, the first time I ever saw one of these machines was an Avocado model just like yours in the repair shop at the Sears parts depot near downtown Denver in early 1981. I really studied the panel as it reminded me of a radio as others have said here. This was when I talked my Dad into helping me repair our 1974 Kenmore which had a premature basket-drive failure --- we were getting a tutorial from a nice service guy who basically told us how to do everything. Fixing that machine led us to cancel the 1980-model Kenmore 70 that my Mom had bought a day or two before --- the same model that you had I believe.

This was also the weekend adventure that led me to develop my washer rebuilding hobby that I've so enjoyed for many years since.

Gordon


Post# 687445 , Reply# 42   7/5/2013 at 11:38 (3,919 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Gordon, the parts lists that came with the machine lists it as 700(4/5)701.

The timer in that book is listed as #363089 and makes no distinction between suds and non-suds.

Good to know what that timer subbed to in later years.  I'll be doing periodic searches to find a replacement timer to have "on hand" so that this machine doesn't suffer the same fate as my 1967 800.  I'm guessing that this timer MAY be a bit more common than that one!


Post# 687470 , Reply# 43   7/5/2013 at 14:13 (3,919 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
Aferim!

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Those are freakin' gorgeous! I love that control panel design even though I prefer the ones with lots of buttons, bells and whistles. Elegant and classic lines. I guess the pink in this illustration is not accurate if, indeed, these models were only a 1970 offering. Just gotta love those Lucite backlit control dials:

Post# 687488 , Reply# 44   7/5/2013 at 16:28 (3,919 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Great save on the pair, and congratulations on acquiring your childhood washer equivalent. I hope that any maintenance needed is minor.

Appnut: Yes this was the set that was in the vestibule off of Karen Fairgate McKenzie's kitchen on Knot's Landing. I think hers may have been the same color too.

Have a good one,
James


Post# 687519 , Reply# 45   7/5/2013 at 19:44 (3,919 days old) by bendixmark (Winchester Mass)        
water level

Hey Mark,I noticed in the pic of the machine running the water level looks very low.I used to get that machine all the time years ago and the water level on that model and all the 1970 models for that year was always very low.This would cause the motor to work very hard and consequently every time I got one of these the motor would be louder than loud,very loud hum when running,you mentioned your machine was loud I will bet this has something to do with it.I would raise the water level giving the adjustment screw 2 turns and go from there.Those machines didnt have alot of centerpost bearing trouble as that machine has the improved agitator cap seal though it is possible the bearings can be bad.You can take that rust off the basket with a brillo pad.Those are two of my favorite kenmores,great save.

Post# 687531 , Reply# 46   7/5/2013 at 21:39 (3,919 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Yeah, I thought that water level seemed on the low side.  I know that I had also raised the water level on my 67 800.  The owner's manual says that a full fill for this machine is 16.2 gallons.


Post# 687532 , Reply# 47   7/5/2013 at 21:40 (3,919 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        
Cycle details

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Here are the "Alphabet Cycle" descriptions:


Post# 687533 , Reply# 48   7/5/2013 at 21:43 (3,919 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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and the details of the operation:


Post# 687560 , Reply# 49   7/6/2013 at 00:02 (3,919 days old) by A440 ()        

So...
What did you think about the dryer? Did you dry the full load from the
washer?
Did you watch the burner modulate while it was in operation?
I bet it is a fun dryer!
It is in such great shape!
You lucky guy!


Post# 687577 , Reply# 50   7/6/2013 at 08:03 (3,918 days old) by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN)        

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Everything about the dryer seems to be good.  It does seem to have a slight intermittent squeak in the tumbling.  I suspect that cleaning and oiling the rollers and replacing the belt will likely do the trick.  After 43 years it's likely time!

 

I did dry several loads in it.  I didn't time the drying but it certainly seems to be fast.  I haven't actually laid on the floor to watch the burner modulate, but I do have a thermometer in the exhaust duct and I did notice that when the exhaust temp reaches about 150 that the flame is at less than half and that the temp stayed at pretty much exactly 150 until the burner shut off.


Post# 688818 , Reply# 51   7/11/2013 at 20:01 (3,913 days old) by electronicontrl (Grand Rapids, MI)        
I can't wait.....

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I have my coppertone duo in my basement now for 15 months and I have not connected the dryer up yet. That soon will change as this thread has got me excited. I bought this Kenmore 800 washer w/ Suds and 900 dryer from Captain Moody. The dryer appears to have been seldom used. I'll look for that capillary tube........

Post# 979989 , Reply# 52   1/26/2018 at 10:48 (2,253 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

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Well, here is a sort of a rough draft that I made, of mine, doing a (rather, very) pale imitation:



-- Dave


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