Thread Number: 1781
LIME GREEN WARDS SIGNATURE IN DALLAS!!!!
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Post# 62813   4/10/2005 at 23:37 (6,927 days old) by westytoploader ()        

On Craigslist. Paired with a Kenmore dryer. Is it worth it?? Tell me what you think...I don't really feel like letting it go!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO westytoploader's LINK on Dallas Craigslist





Post# 62817 , Reply# 1   4/11/2005 at 00:01 (6,927 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Can you get more info on the washer? Probably a mid 70's machine but I saw a 78 catalog and bought a MW 1972 f&w edition, both had this same panel design. These are very cool washers although not the most reliable, if you can casually ask if they have noticed any oil spots on their clothes, it would be good information to know before going to schlep it home ;-)

$145 for a 30 year old washer and a nearly 20 year old Kenmore plug-door dryer seems like a lot...


Post# 62818 , Reply# 2   4/11/2005 at 00:04 (6,927 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
I always liked the looks of those MW machines.

Post# 62820 , Reply# 3   4/11/2005 at 00:15 (6,927 days old) by fixerman ()        

I would guess the washer to be early 70's. Still early Norge design. About the last of the better built ones I'd say. I used to reabuild them all the time in the early nineties. Priced way too high IMHO. They are notorious for center shaft seal and transmission oil leak problems and rust out from water leak problems. If the agitator shaft is worn, the transmission would have to be replaced. Also the tub seals usually need replacing. Kenmore Dryers are very common. Nothing special there. If you really wanted them I'd offer $50 if there is little or no cabinet rust, . Chancy because parts may be challenging to find.

Post# 62822 , Reply# 4   4/11/2005 at 00:20 (6,927 days old) by scott55405 ()        

It is probably a fair bit of money as Greg said, but I do think the washer is really cool. I did like that panel design, and those of course still had the porcelain top and basket. 78 was about the last year of that panel design, I think it started in 71 or 72. Prior to that was the big slanted console.

Only thing is it sounds like they want to sell both together which I can understand since they're moving, but I'm thinking (though I could be wrong) that you're probably not that interested in the dryer (maybe they'll be in the mood to deal on price though if they're moving and need to get it out of their house?)


Post# 62823 , Reply# 5   4/11/2005 at 00:23 (6,927 days old) by westytoploader ()        

I don't need the (ugly, low-end) dryer...and probably won't be able to sell it if I get them as a set. Although if I can knock some of the price off, I won't mind taking both! :)

Post# 62843 , Reply# 6   4/11/2005 at 08:23 (6,926 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Go get 'em-----"Burp-a-Lators" show up all the time (under various labels) so I don't think you will have a parts problem.

Post# 62895 , Reply# 7   4/11/2005 at 16:29 (6,926 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Offer him $75.00.Should be able to sell the dryer for that,and keep the washer for yourself.

kennyGF


Post# 62903 , Reply# 8   4/11/2005 at 17:35 (6,926 days old) by SactoTeddyBear ()        
Re: M. Wards Signature Washer:

I had one of these Washer's in Avocado, which was around a Mid-1970's except mine was a "TOL" Model, with a Fluorescent Console Light and the Detergent Dispenser, on the back Right side of the Top, close to the Console area, with a removable Cover, to clean out. It had the Speckled Porcelain Wash Tub and the White Agitator, "Burp-Up" Filter and Fabric Softener Dispenser, as well as a Bleach Dispenser, on the front Left, just inside the Lid Opening, that was Triangle-Shaped.

I also had an Avocado Matching Electric Dryer {actually 1-model below the "TOL" Model} that didn't have the Fluorescent Console Light, otherwise they both had the same Control look. The Dryer had the Huge Blower Fan, on the Back Wall behind the Drum, that if you opened the Door all the way too fast, it would throw items out of the Drum, from the force of Air.

Unfortunately, I had a clean-out day a few years ago and the Washer {still working, without ever any repairs} went to a local 2nd Hand Dealer not far from where I live. Shortly after that, I met Todd {Washerlover} and told him that I had a great Washer in one of my Storage Sheds that he could have. Much to my surprise not actually realizing at the time that I had gotten rid of the Washer, but I had thought that I had just moved elsewhere. When we got to the Shed and I'm looking at the space where it was supposed to be sitting, I had to "double-take" looking, because I knew it was supposed to be there, oh well!!!

Peace, Happiness and Hug's, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...


Post# 62905 , Reply# 9   4/11/2005 at 17:38 (6,926 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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That must have been a Norge-based dryer design, with the large fan blowing into the drum.

Post# 62916 , Reply# 10   4/11/2005 at 19:32 (6,926 days old) by SactoTeddyBear ()        
Re: M. Wards Dryer/Badged Norge:

Yes, now that you've refreshed my memory, it was a Norge Badged Dryer, because I also at one time had the actual Norge Washer and Dryer and they all had the similar Washer Tub, Agitator, Filter and Fabric Dispenser and the similar Dryer Drum, with the large Rear Fan.

Peace and Happy Washing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...


Post# 62958 , Reply# 11   4/12/2005 at 04:19 (6,926 days old) by programcomputer (Ann Arbor Michigan, USA)        
Okay here goes.....Montgomery Wards, Fall and Winter 1972...

programcomputer's profile picture
Austin,

This model is #1 the machine that was fourth down, in the washer hierarchy in the 100th anniversary year of Montgomery Wards in 1972.# 2 a color model, which aren't that common Im sure. And # 3 I have this machine in front of me, on paper of course in the Fall Winter Catalog from 1972,and it's not that far off from the Top of the Line Signature 1000 model at $319.95. which has but a few more accesories, the automatic detergent dispenser described elsewhere, and all pushbutton control, with a "masterdial".

Heres some specifics on it.

8 cycle, three speed combinations.

Sold for $229.95

Explanation via the catalog- Handles everything from a 2lb. pound load to a full 18lb one. Infinite water level control assures you the right amount of water. 8 cycles including two for durable press and a 30 minute pre-saok. 3 speed combinations, 5 position water temp. control. Lint Filter agitator with scrubber cap for four-way wash. Bleach and fabric softner dispensers. Backguard with handy lighted dial. Reversible safety lid, plus all features on top of page. Acrylic finish cabinet,porcelain top and lid. 27-15/16thsW/37D/45 1/4 H. State color number. Cat # L85C6421R- 00-(WHITE)-$229.95 22-HarvestGold,33-Avacado,55-Coppertone-$234.95.

Features stated at the top of the page are- "SIX reasons why WARDS SIGNATURE washers are #1: 18lb.capacity, 9 rinses remove floating soil and detergent, 18 in 4 vane agitator for better wash action, Suspension system has greater stability, 1/2 horsepower motor like those of commercial washers and Heavy-Duty transmission-no more overload worries.

To be frank Austin, go and get it. Yes you may pay more for it that your should, but how often anymore does ANYONE really see an old Signature of any sort. It will if anything help you to have a nicer more full collection, and I have paid more for my previous sets.

Anyway I jsut wanted to give you the heads up, as I have the info book right here on my thigh. Seems like apretty cool washer if you ask me.

And no they did NOT offer this panel past at least 1976. In my Spring Summer Wards catalog from 1978, they offered a different U shaped ends panel, no backsplash lights whatsoever on the Norge based, higher end models, and by then were pushing heavily the Westinghouse models again. Front and Top loaders respectively. I have these cat's in front of me so ask away if you want to know...

Wards: 1959 F/W , 1966 Spr/Sum, 1968 F/W, 1972 F/W, 1976 S/S, 1978 F/W, 1980 S/S and F/W, 1982 S/S and 1984-85 final catalog, that was split into two distinct parts.

Anywa good luck whatever you decide there...

Chad


Post# 62974 , Reply# 12   4/12/2005 at 10:37 (6,925 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
M W Washer

Austin,
Maybe you can get them to come down on the price and you can donate the dryer to an animal save thrift and your folks can get a write off for their taxes. I just (yesterday) picked up an estate sale freebie it's a LNC 6417 A00 It's
a 20 lb job 8 cycle very bol. No w&r temp settings, just speed and load size/level knobs. I'm mortified to report that I violated the cardinal rule of "PATIENCE". (It was one of those situations where the elderly lady owner just got a new machine and didn't bother to take the old one out of the laundry room; I thought, maybe something very simple!!) It did run, bad pump-a-tron though, and it does leak. However,
it had an impressive "turnover" and the sqwoosh of the burp-a-
lator is quite fun. I feel somewhat traitorous; I got it to replace the the Crown 1-18 I recently aquired (another estate
sale freebie, cannot adapt to the Jetcone Agitator, or that
insipid "comb" filter!) I worked at the local MW catalog store
from 1969 intermittently until 1977 and I remember when the style changed to the mods in reference; I would shmooze through the Sears Cat store a few doors up the street and think our machines are so much more stylish! Good luck young man!!!
Darrel


Post# 62992 , Reply# 13   4/12/2005 at 16:06 (6,925 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
1978 Spring and Summer TOL machines, the 1978 fall & winter edition I saw Saturday had the same machines.



Post# 62995 , Reply# 14   4/12/2005 at 16:14 (6,925 days old) by retromom ()        
Wards Signature Washer

Dopey question but...is that a dispenser on that washer? This set is definitely more TOL than the one Austin saw; more features and, I assume, an exterior dispenser. I always loved the way they charged $10.00 more for colours; guess that's why we always had white.

Post# 62999 , Reply# 15   4/12/2005 at 16:31 (6,925 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Here is the second page from the 78 spring & summer, the graphics on the panel at the top of the page look very similar to the Craiglist machine.

Post# 63000 , Reply# 16   4/12/2005 at 16:34 (6,925 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Venus - that's a detergent dispenser on the top. Very handy for the soak/prewash cycle, it automatically dispensed another dose of detergent for the main wash cycle so you didn't have to come back to the machine after the pre-wash drain & spin.

Post# 63001 , Reply# 17   4/12/2005 at 16:42 (6,925 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Here's the interior...appears to be missing the lint filter, and what is that crap at the back of the tub? I'm thinking rust...OY.

Post# 63004 , Reply# 18   4/12/2005 at 16:48 (6,925 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Also, how would you replace the transmission seals on such a machine, or would the tranny just be replaced as a whole?

Post# 63006 , Reply# 19   4/12/2005 at 17:09 (6,925 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Rust in the tub doesn't look good but it's not a total loss depending on the rest of the mechanism, but you don't know what you're dealing with until you get into it. The tranny restore would be similar to what Robert did on his 1956, obviously some things will be different, but the amount of work is the same...

CLICK HERE TO GO TO gansky1's LINK


Post# 63008 , Reply# 20   4/12/2005 at 17:13 (6,925 days old) by repair-man (Pittsburgh PA)        

Seemed like the high end MW machines always had more buttons and knobs than any others. Even the dryers were loaded.

Don't see too many of MW machines anymore.

Ed


Post# 63010 , Reply# 21   4/12/2005 at 17:20 (6,925 days old) by fixerman ()        

I never bothered to open up a trans to replace the trans seals inside the trans itself. If there is oil leaking out the center pulley shaft on the bottom, you probably would want to replace the entire trans if you can find one. If the agitator shaft seals are bad, causing oil on the clothes, Replacing the shaft seals are relatively easy.

"crap at the back of the tub"

Could be oil. I've seen them with oil left in the tub from bad shaft seals.


Post# 63043 , Reply# 22   4/13/2005 at 02:19 (6,925 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
MW machines

Boy, seeing those catalog pages brings back memories. I worked in the paint and hardware departments of MW in 1974-75 and the appliance department was directly across the aisle. They always had a demonstration set hooked up and I played with it many a time when on the Noon to 9PM shift and there were few customers.

Post# 63044 , Reply# 23   4/13/2005 at 02:26 (6,925 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
features

Note the specs. the DRYER had a 1/2 HP motor, the size of most WASHER motors. The washer has a 3/4 HP motor.

And always a catchy name for a feature.

202 degree "Turbosweep" agitator.



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