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Thread Number: 9464
Saved from a basement in St. Paul: An early Whirlpool |
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Post# 175648 12/14/2006 at 23:55 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz  (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Hey Guys and Gals I just got home from my afternoon trip to St. Paul. Wow - what a beautiful day in the midwest for a quick 450 mile jaunt (thankfully I am on vacation.) For those who had not seen, there was a post a few days ago from a very nice fellow named John, who had noticed a Kenmore dryer for sale on Craigslist in St. Paul. The seller just so happened to include the right hand side of an early Whirlpool in the listed photo. The seller had mentioned in the ad that the 'old washer' was not working and was free. I had inquired about the washer, and made arangements with him to head up there and pick it up this afternoon. Wow - was that trip ever worth it! 
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Post# 175649 , Reply# 1 12/14/2006 at 23:58 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Home in Waterloo
While the machine was worth more than the best price of free, the seller and I had agreed on a reasonable amount. He had pluged it in last night to discover that the machine works - for the most part. He had issues with an overflowing problem - must have been a rare feature on these early Whirlpools ;-)
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Post# 175650 , Reply# 2 12/14/2006 at 23:59 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Beautiful bakelite agitator | ||
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Post# 175651 , Reply# 3 12/15/2006 at 00:03 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Unfortunately, the machine hasn't be cleaned since the day it left the factory in St. Joesph. A good paint job will be needed - but will be put off due to the current house project. It looks like Brian had quite the paint booth setup with the Bendix! Also, this machine has had a replacement water valve installed, and the temp control just spins and spins - and I might add looks very ugly!
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Post# 175652 , Reply# 4 12/15/2006 at 00:05 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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No Suds Dial | ||
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Post# 175654 , Reply# 5 12/15/2006 at 00:07 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Model Tag
Okay, I was thinking this machine was a 1952 - the date noted on the Prelinger Archives for the film. But, if I'm reading the tag correctly, it looks like it is a 1950? Surely I am mistaken Thanks again John, I really appreciate that you posted the ad for the dryer - without it, this machine may have been lost to the crusher Ben 
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| Post# 175655 , Reply# 6 12/15/2006 at 00:14 (6,342 days old) by exploder321 () | ||
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What a washer.. Wow | ||
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Post# 175657 , Reply# 7 12/15/2006 at 00:15 (6,342 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 175658 , Reply# 8 12/15/2006 at 00:15 (6,342 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
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super nice washer-and built within a year I was born!!And really like that colorful agitator. | ||
| Post# 175670 , Reply# 9 12/15/2006 at 02:32 (6,342 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA) | ||
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Cool Washer - I am glad it was saved. I think it is a whole lot like the 1951 Kenmore washers I have. I know that they made mine basically identically from 1949 - 1951. Maybe it's whirlpool cousins were the same so it could be 1950 | ||
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Post# 175689 , Reply# 10 12/15/2006 at 05:21 (6,342 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.) |
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Actually Whirlpool did not got to the Control panel on the b | ||
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Post# 175690 , Reply# 11 12/15/2006 at 05:23 (6,342 days old) by appliguy (Oakton Va.) |
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oops sorry Ben I mistook you for Cory..... | ||
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Post# 175701 , Reply# 12 12/15/2006 at 07:26 (6,342 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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| Post# 175708 , Reply# 13 12/15/2006 at 07:46 (6,342 days old) by tlee618 () | ||
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Congratulations Ben, what a beautiful machine, I love that red agitator. Amazing that the lettering on the dial is still so good. Can't wait to see this one after you work your magic on it. | ||
| Post# 175713 , Reply# 14 12/15/2006 at 08:19 (6,342 days old) by veg-o-matic (Baltimore, Hon!) | ||
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| Post# 175732 , Reply# 15 12/15/2006 at 09:49 (6,342 days old) by lesto (Atlanta) | ||
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What a rare find to come across an early Whirlpool with the red agitator. I LOVE red agitators! This is going to be an awesome machine for you. Keep the pics comign as you work on her Les | ||
| Post# 175740 , Reply# 16 12/15/2006 at 10:14 (6,342 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
Glad you were able to snag this great machine Ben. That will be a beauty when it is finished! If you need help gathering parts, I will be able to help you on that. Love the "marblized" agitator! Such style back then. That is why the early WP/KM machines are my favourites. They just knew how to make their machines look so grand back then! | ||
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Post# 175816 , Reply# 17 12/15/2006 at 16:41 (6,342 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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| Post# 175846 , Reply# 18 12/15/2006 at 19:57 (6,341 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm) | ||
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That is a real beauty Ben. You might have to create space for it on the main floo near the kitchen!!! | ||
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Post# 175847 , Reply# 19 12/15/2006 at 20:55 (6,341 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 175859 , Reply# 21 12/15/2006 at 21:55 (6,341 days old) by westytoploader () | ||
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Ben, congratulations, what a great save! I too love the look of that "marbleized" agitator, and that deep tub opening is too cool! Keep us posted on the progress. | ||
| Post# 175884 , Reply# 22 12/15/2006 at 22:50 (6,341 days old) by danelto (State College, PA) | ||
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Nice Find! Beautiful washer! You're so lucky. Good luck with it I think I'd be tempted to hook it up in my living room for the world to see dta | ||
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Post# 175903 , Reply# 23 12/16/2006 at 00:43 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post Clean Up!
Well Guys, I spent most of the afternoon with a bottle of Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and a few rags - and man, did the Whirlpool clean up! While it is far and few from being mint, I must say, for being over fifty years old, she still is quite the looker. Since I left my allen wrench set at my parents, I wasn't able to pop the top and take a look at the float valve, but decided to give her a good test drive. Here she is after a bit of elbow grease 
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Post# 175905 , Reply# 24 12/16/2006 at 00:44 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Another Glam Shot | ||
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Post# 175906 , Reply# 25 12/16/2006 at 00:47 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 175907 , Reply# 26 12/16/2006 at 00:48 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Time for a fill! | ||
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Post# 175908 , Reply# 27 12/16/2006 at 00:49 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Nice wash action! | ||
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Post# 175909 , Reply# 28 12/16/2006 at 00:50 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Cleaning the rags that cleaned the machine! | ||
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Post# 175910 , Reply# 29 12/16/2006 at 00:51 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 175911 , Reply# 30 12/16/2006 at 00:52 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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One of Seven Amazing rinses! | ||
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Post# 175913 , Reply# 31 12/16/2006 at 00:58 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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All tucked away for the night
This machine really has grown on me. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the BD machines, I really love this one. It is very mechanical sounding when it runs, and it is just bursting with life. You would never know this one is as old as it is - it acts as if it just left the plant in St. Joseph, MI. While it isn't a WO-65 or an AMP, I just love it, and I'm looking forward to enjoying it Ben 
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Post# 175917 , Reply# 32 12/16/2006 at 01:38 (6,341 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Oh yeah Bob, it would be very cool if the machine just happened to pop the lid open when the cycle was completed, but alas, it isn't that cool. The button is pushed to open the lid at anytime, and usually is lit up when the machine is running via a Germicidal lamp positioned right in front of the button. Those lamps are quite hard to come by, so I'm not crossing any fingers at the moment Kenny, I left the dryer behind, as I am currently knee deep in dryers as we speak! Again, thanks for all the kind comments - I wish you all could have been around for the first wash! 
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Post# 175919 , Reply# 33 12/16/2006 at 02:21 (6,341 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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What an amazing difference a little love makes! You're right, quite a looker indeed - love the "completely variable spray rinses" too There should be a ballast - either another incandescent light bulb or a transformer in series with the germicidal lamp. The only time I've had one not work is when it was broken. They seem to last forever. You can still find the bulbs now and then - watch for one of these Puritron air cleaners in the thrift stores and ebay - they are loaded with those bulbs. CLICK HERE TO GO TO gansky1's LINK on eBay | ||
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Post# 175930 , Reply# 34 12/16/2006 at 05:40 (6,341 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 175962 , Reply# 35 12/16/2006 at 08:51 (6,341 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida) | ||
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| Post# 175988 , Reply# 36 12/16/2006 at 11:31 (6,341 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
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Lights on the Whirlpools
Here is a pix of the bulb arrangement on my 56 WP. The forty watt ballast bulb for the ozone lamp is on the left side on my machine. The small 7 watt bulb lights up the push button Ben, once you get the top popped on your WP, could you please post a pix of it for us? Would love to see how the earlier models look under there. 
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| Post# 175990 , Reply# 37 12/16/2006 at 11:41 (6,341 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
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I think "Ye Olde Belt Drive" will grow on you Ben. Each one of the very old models seem to have a unique personality all it's own. The funky sounds they make are really fun. I just love them! The 56 KM I just finished seems to have a "rap" beat to it when it is washing You have yours looking VERY nice already! Have you even had it for 24 hours yet? Your moving fast dude! lol! | ||
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Post# 176012 , Reply# 38 12/16/2006 at 13:04 (6,341 days old) by peteski50 (New York) |
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Whirlpool!
I remember one of my neighbors had this same machine. I used to like watching it wash. They had it until 1963 and when they moved they didnt take it with them and I don't know what happened to it at that point. But it had many solid years of washing without a problem. I always loved the action Best Of Luc Peter | ||
| Post# 176088 , Reply# 39 12/16/2006 at 20:11 (6,340 days old) by exploder321 () | ||
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I love hte belt drives.. We had several in our neighborhood growing up and i used to get to play with every one of them | ||
| Post# 176163 , Reply# 40 12/17/2006 at 00:32 (6,340 days old) by agiflow () | ||
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Excellent score!! One question..the circumference around the agi seems to be darker shaded. Was this the original agitator before the surgilator? Hope it all goes well for you..many happy washings! | ||
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Post# 176172 , Reply# 41 12/17/2006 at 01:03 (6,340 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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Mother takes a holiday! | ||
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Post# 176174 , Reply# 42 12/17/2006 at 01:09 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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My God Rick, your 56 Imperial looks beautiful - almost like a Christmas yard arangement under there! I noticed that there is a 40w appliance bulb in there - I think you've given me an idea.. I was able to pull the top cover off tonight. Man, it was gross in there! I've included a few pics for ya - before: 
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Post# 176175 , Reply# 43 12/17/2006 at 01:11 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 176176 , Reply# 44 12/17/2006 at 01:13 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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We have a date! | ||
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Post# 176177 , Reply# 45 12/17/2006 at 01:14 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Almost done! | ||
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Post# 176179 , Reply# 46 12/17/2006 at 01:20 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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All Cleaned Up
It seems the cause of the mysterious 'overflow' is a faulty water valve - the cold solenoid is stuck open. When I replace the water valve I look more closely at the ballast to see if there is an issue, or I just need a replacement ozone lamp. I agree Louis - it isn't a "complete laundy" without the dryer! Oh well, maybe next Holiday Ben 
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Post# 176182 , Reply# 47 12/17/2006 at 01:34 (6,340 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 176190 , Reply# 48 12/17/2006 at 05:40 (6,340 days old) by askomiele (Belgium Ghent) | ||
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What's a snubber?? | ||
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Post# 176199 , Reply# 49 12/17/2006 at 08:50 (6,340 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Post# 176204 , Reply# 50 12/17/2006 at 09:09 (6,340 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Ben nice machinination!
Love the clean up, such a transformation. My BD is growing on me as well. It has been so long I have had an agitator machine to play with that the first wash was amazing to see in action again. But that red agitator is way beyond cool! Enjoy, I am even begining to lust after a TL Maytag --i never thought I'd see the day! But now that it is gone its really collectible. Thanks for the pics | ||
| Post# 176227 , Reply# 51 12/17/2006 at 10:08 (6,340 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
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Well, the WP is coming right along! Thanks for the "under the hood" shot. It is wild to see how these machines evolved. Looks like the suspention system only had two rods, and they are both on the right side??? I need to see one of these early machines in person someday. The float system is something that I have never seen before, although I have heard about them. The snubber arrangement on the left side is another thing that I was not aware of. Ben, I would check the agitator drive block for wear, and replace the rubber ring in the agitator cap, if it is hard. If either of those are in poor condition,they need to be replaced. If they are not, a split at the top of the agitator under the cap can be the result. | ||
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Post# 176237 , Reply# 52 12/17/2006 at 10:41 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Hey Rick, There are three suspension rods on this machine - there just hiding. One is under the timer, then the front right side, the the last is hiding under the snubber. The pic below has the tub hardware still removed - it is easier to see the suspension. I know the gasket in the cap is still nice and flexible, but I haven't checked block yet for wear - I'll make sure to do that soon. Askomiele: the snubber is a part of the suspension that holds the wash assembly in place. It is a piece of hardened rubber (on this machine), and when the tub shakes during spin, it helps reduce the amount of vibration by keeping the lateral movement on a single plane. Hope this helps. Jon: no problem, pics I can do! Whatever happened to that AMP anyway? Robert: the machine came out of a basement in the neighborhood around St. Thomas University. Nice homes around there! Eugene: you had asked a while back - and yes, this machine is quite 'wide'! It would be the standard 27 inches, but it just looks like a tank, and sure feels like it too when you are moving it! The off balance is all mechanical, and I don't think this will trip the buzzer. It would take one hell of a swinging basket to hit that lever though! 
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Post# 176239 , Reply# 53 12/17/2006 at 10:52 (6,340 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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askomiele-- The snubber, a rubber pad which presses down forcefully against the tub ring, and can be seen on the left side of the photo in post #176177, helps to keep the tub stable, especially during spins. In later models, the snubber was moved to the rear part of the tub ring, as can be seen in the photo of Rick's '56 Whirlpool in post #175988. | ||
| Post# 176263 , Reply# 55 12/17/2006 at 13:42 (6,340 days old) by askomiele (Belgium Ghent) | ||
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Thanks every one! | ||
| Post# 176268 , Reply# 56 12/17/2006 at 13:47 (6,340 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
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Post# 176286 , Reply# 57 12/17/2006 at 15:48 (6,340 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Sometimes Rick it is more fun sit back, relax, keep the hands clean, and just watch! Austin: here is a shot of the bottom side, when it was still loaded in the Tahoe. I have rotated the photo so that when you look at the machine in the picture, the front is facing down. These machines have a little access door on the left hand side to gain access to the motor assembly. I am wondering about the extra machined surfaces on the tranny - would those have been mounting surfaces for the suds system? Maybe when I move in the house, a few of those loads that would be just begging for a good thrashing will get tossed in for a ride! Ben 
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Post# 176333 , Reply# 58 12/17/2006 at 21:18 (6,339 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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What an early Kenmore
Whirlpool, you know I always had it in my head that the design never changed from its basic form after the bolt down machine. But clearly they were evolving all the way through the 50's! Ben, I'd like to get my hands on an AMP, I once had a 1957 with the AMP tranny, that went to Robert,then Greg then Steve118 who as I understand is still using it. Great find there it will be fun to use. jon | ||
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Post# 176336 , Reply# 59 12/17/2006 at 21:48 (6,339 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California) |
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Very nice! | ||
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