Thread Number: 6548
My first restoration! ((--::
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Post# 131747   5/29/2006 at 09:40 (6,513 days old) by dick_s. ()        

Hi everyone!
Finally, after much much time and many, many mistakes I, ("Mr. No Mechanical Ability At All")have completely revamped this wonderful 56 Cycla Fabric Deluxe Kenmore. It runs beautifully including the suds saver and germicidal bulb so kindly contribuited by Rich.

Because I'm not a frequent "poster" and put in my "two cents worth" to the discussion group all that often I didn't feel I had the right to post questions and problems I encountered along the way. If I had I might have saved myself a lot of time and frustration. I mean the machine was completed, at least so I thought, only to discover a leaking problem and an outer tub that wouldn't budge off the platform after tub seals were removed so.....I tore it all apart again, took out the platform, outer tub and suspension rods and replaced all these things from another small tub machine only to discover that the suspesion rods were a different length. That's just one of the examples. Alas, the machine is running like a charm at this point and I have a wonderful feeling of added confidence at least when it comes to Kenmores. ((--::

I do have one question tho' that is really bugging me. The wash basket in the 56 is quite rigid and hard to rotate by hand, very unlike the rest of my Kenmores that move much more freely. I know this is not right and something is wrong. I sense that it is dragging when it goes into spin mode but it does reach full spin speed but not as fast as the others. I have already put spacers in at the support shafts (supposed to help with spin tube/bearing misalignment probs) with no relief to this matter. I'm just concerned with burning out the motor and tearing up the belt prematurely. I washed a load of heavy white towels yesterday and winced when it went into spin mode both times.

Sure would appreciate your comments.

Dick










Post# 131749 , Reply# 1   5/29/2006 at 09:45 (6,513 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Dick, that could be a lot of things, but it might be that the Brake/Clutch Basket Clutch Shaft is not adjusted properply...

see these two pages...





Post# 131751 , Reply# 2   5/29/2006 at 09:49 (6,513 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
gosh, she is pretty

panthera's profile picture
Dick,
You just ask any ol' question you feel like. I shoot my mouth off all the time here and nobody has swooned yet. Or been nasty.
Well, not *too* nasty.
I wish I could help you, but know next to nothing about these machines.
Somebody here will, I am sure of it - and if nobody does, well, tell you what - there are lots of Internet sites with good diagnostics you can follow. I'll be happy to send them on to you.
But its 10 to 1 there will be a few useful posts before the day is out.
Keven


Post# 131752 , Reply# 3   5/29/2006 at 09:50 (6,513 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)        
See - I told you so!

panthera's profile picture
There you have it - even while I was writing. And, best of all - right from the horse's mouth.
Er, that didn't sound quite right. Been too long since I spoke English.
Don't twitch that nose, Samantha - I meant no harm.


Post# 131755 , Reply# 4   5/29/2006 at 10:23 (6,513 days old) by customline (pennsylvania)        
Well, well.....

You did well for yourself Grasshopper. You're on to the next phase of washing machine restoration (and the Kenmore looks good too).

Post# 131757 , Reply# 5   5/29/2006 at 10:41 (6,513 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Nice Washer!!!

Post# 131764 , Reply# 6   5/29/2006 at 11:33 (6,513 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Roll Over

Holy Sweet Jesus!
What an amazing shot! The machine is so cool and I love to watch white laundry drift up and roll over without a lot of suds. I am a sucker for a white load.
Kelly


Post# 131767 , Reply# 7   5/29/2006 at 11:57 (6,513 days old) by lightedcontrols ()        
I would also make sure...

that the bearings are not binding in any way. Drop the basket drive assy down a bit (yes that means remove all the bolts) and make sure the basket drive is moving freely. If it is then it's the adjustment as Robert suggested. If the bearings are not aligned properly, then they will need to be removed and reinstalled. Hope this helps. Mark

Post# 131768 , Reply# 8   5/29/2006 at 12:04 (6,513 days old) by rickr (.)        
Congratulations on a job well done!!

rickr's profile picture
Great job Dick! Glad you got this one finished. It just looks wonderful Roto-Swirling away. I just love the early Kenmores!


I am working on my 56 Kenmore also. It is torn down to pieces as we speak. Mine was hauled out of a junkyard,and had a leaky car battery sitting on the console for years. So it got an acid bath,along with sitting outside for years. So it is not in as good of condition as yours. LOL!!


Post# 131777 , Reply# 9   5/29/2006 at 12:42 (6,513 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Dick, beautiful Cycla-Fabric, you've done a great job restoring it and making it gleam again! Keep us posted!

Post# 131787 , Reply# 10   5/29/2006 at 13:41 (6,513 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Way to go Dick!

Steve


Post# 131790 , Reply# 11   5/29/2006 at 14:11 (6,513 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Hi Dick, Sure looks like you did a beautiful job on that machine. I know that you will really enjoy using it. Terry

Post# 131791 , Reply# 12   5/29/2006 at 14:16 (6,513 days old) by fnelson487 (Palm Springs, CA)        
Sorry I Can't Answer The Techical Question (Yet!!)

fnelson487's profile picture
Just wanted to post to say what a great machine (one of my favorites.) Thanks for putting in the effort to save a beautiful piece of appliance history. I get out to Palm Springs occasionally (was there in March) and would love to see it in person. Keep up the good work.

Post# 131792 , Reply# 13   5/29/2006 at 14:18 (6,513 days old) by agiflow ()        

Congratulations Dick,...that machine sure is a beauty, hope you get a lot of mileage out of the old girl.

Post# 131794 , Reply# 14   5/29/2006 at 14:21 (6,513 days old) by spinout (Phoenix)        
Congrats... It's a beautiful machine!

Dick, on your comment/question about the spin tub: The basket should be quite stiff or difficult to turn by hand if the brake is in good condition and working properly. The brake will release as the yoke is lowered and the clutch is engaged. A minor adjustments to this clutch (as noted above in Unimatic1140's post) can make a big difference in spin spool up, so don't sweat it.

Joe


Post# 131796 , Reply# 15   5/29/2006 at 15:01 (6,513 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Dick, congratulations. I"m so very impressed. And now that I actually know you, the victory is even sweeter for me & my celebration of it. I got curious about what all was in your collection this morning and decided to trip down memory lane, it hd been a while. Of course, this was the very 1st posting and I wondered, wonder what happened to this Cycla-Fabric?

And from now on, don't hesitate to as questions, you're just as important here as everyone else.!!


Post# 131804 , Reply# 16   5/29/2006 at 16:08 (6,513 days old) by mixfinder ()        
Gone and Back

Dick,
What a smash hit home run. It is a great way to return and become established as one of the great Icons of this site. It has the loss to this group, to have you lurking and I am very glad you're back. I am really excited to be a part of the next great heist. Can't wait to run a load of dainties in the Cycla-Fabric.
adias and cudos,
Kelly


Post# 131812 , Reply# 17   5/29/2006 at 16:54 (6,513 days old) by dick_s. ()        
Thanks to all of you for.....

....your nice comments and words of encouragement. Oh and to you Robert for being so quick on the draw and answering so quickly.
I went out and tipped the machine up and there is no nut on the bottom side of the yoke to adjust like in the picture you attached. There are only two washers where the nut should be.
When I went in to an appliance shop in town and ordered a new spin tube (like you suggested in your 57 resto)the guy said that he would have one of his employees put everything together and mount it on the trans. I thought to myself "how kind" of him. I picked it up and being as "wet behind the ears" about all the things to look for I just installed it. I then fought with the belt trying to get it on and when I did succeed at that, wondered why there was no tension adjustment. It only took me about a month to make the discovery that the basket drive pulley was designed for the 1/4 inch belt - NOT the regular 1/2 inch belt. It's been such a comedy of errors with this machine that I am amazed at how good it runs, if at all! It really does purr and is so quiet.((--::
For the last two weeks in periods of free time, I've untightened the mounting bolts in every conveiable sequence I can think and then turning the machine on in agitate mode trying to see if this is a misalignment problem. Nothing seems to help. I'm stymied at this point and have been tinkering with it all morning. Think I'll give it a rest and go see what the ever increasing klakaty klack noise in wash mode is in the 60.
Even with the setbacks and all the little problems I'm having a ball with my old machines and now that I'm learning to fix them myself-whatmore could I ask for? ((--::

PS Yes, I also love white loads and go to great lengths in getting them the whitest they can be. Also, anytime anyone is in me area and would like to see my little collection, please give a holler.

Dick




Post# 131869 , Reply# 18   5/29/2006 at 20:47 (6,512 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Beautiful restoration job! Wonderful machine!

Post# 131871 , Reply# 19   5/29/2006 at 20:50 (6,512 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Restoration

peteski50's profile picture
I think you did a beautiful job doing the restoration. It is also a beautiful machine.
Best Wishes
Peter


Post# 131884 , Reply# 20   5/29/2006 at 22:18 (6,512 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Dick you did a great job on this machine! This one is quite the looker, and loaded with options! Job well done ~ thanks for posting.

Ben


Post# 131928 , Reply# 21   5/30/2006 at 08:25 (6,512 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)        
OMG!

What a masterpiece.

Kenmore rules and that's that.


Post# 131934 , Reply# 22   5/30/2006 at 08:53 (6,512 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
How exciting

Do you stand slightly to the right side and just turn to load the '59/60 dryer with the freshly spun whites? Hope to attend another mini wash in some time!
Darrel


Post# 131964 , Reply# 23   5/30/2006 at 11:48 (6,512 days old) by scott55405 ()        

Very nice Dick! Glad it's gone well up to now and hope that last nagging problem in the end is solved.

Post# 131999 , Reply# 24   5/30/2006 at 14:50 (6,512 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)        

Dick ... a beautiful machine ... congratulations!! It is so very clean and fresh looking; as are the clothes washing in it!!

Geoff


Post# 132020 , Reply# 25   5/30/2006 at 17:18 (6,512 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
That is one pretty washer, Dick! These early Kenmores are among the best looking and yours just sparkles!

Post# 132023 , Reply# 26   5/30/2006 at 17:35 (6,511 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Whaddya mean "No Mechanical Ability?!" Congrats on your restoration of a very cool Kenmore. And don't hesitate to ask questions; Even though I couldn't restore a washer given a map and a genius robot, I ask questions all the time. The guys here with restoration experience are more than happy to help a fellow traveller.

Post# 132033 , Reply# 27   5/30/2006 at 19:17 (6,511 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)        
Nice!!!

roto204's profile picture
That's just gorgeous, Dick. Congratulations on a job extremely well done!

--Nate


Post# 132406 , Reply# 28   6/1/2006 at 11:15 (6,510 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Hello Dick,

Great that you are learning to work on the classic machines. And I must say you did quite a nice job on this one. Hope the last things will be fixed soon.

Louis



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