Thread Number: 20272
Is this old enough to be belt drive??
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Post# 323003   1/7/2009 at 23:46 (5,558 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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I saw this Kenmore set for sale on Craigs list here in LA. If it's BD I'll get it, if DD I'll pass!

What do you guys & gals think?

THANKS!





Post# 323005 , Reply# 1   1/8/2009 at 00:04 (5,558 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Yup

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That's a BD.

Post# 323006 , Reply# 2   1/8/2009 at 00:08 (5,558 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
RK I'm pretty sure

that is a bd Km ; I think the dd's came with the next major
console style change with the timers on the right side and
rubber ringed dial/knob. ...... hurry snatch them up!!!


Post# 323011 , Reply# 3   1/8/2009 at 00:42 (5,558 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

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These typical black style console models housed both bd and dd, so it could be either. One of the Kenmore experts here could probably tell you just by glancing at them though. You should get your answer pretty soon.

Post# 323013 , Reply# 4   1/8/2009 at 00:52 (5,558 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        

I'm thinking BD, but don't quote me.

Post# 323014 , Reply# 5   1/8/2009 at 01:11 (5,558 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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My fuzzy memory MAY be starting to clear out the haze just a little... but I can't be 100% sure. I WANT to say I remember seeing these in Sears and they had a yellow (gold?) agitator... or maybe this is just wishful thinking?

I've already contacted the person and will try to go see them this weekend if not before. Keep your fingers crossed!


Post# 323022 , Reply# 6   1/8/2009 at 03:13 (5,558 days old) by chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)        

Belt-Drive.....

But I am concerned about the rust on the Washer top......

So, if you want to, go ahead and bite.....

--Charles--


Post# 323046 , Reply# 7   1/8/2009 at 09:34 (5,558 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Kevin,

That machine is very definitely a belt-drive. It is a 1979 or 1980 model. There were 1976-1978 models that looked similar, however they did not have the "Energy Saver" print over the temp knobs, etc.

The rust on the top is very common to certain models of this era, although it surprises me to see this out west in such an advanced state. This happens more readily in humid environments. Sears usually included a porcelain lid, but an acrylic enameled top on many 60 and 70-series machines (even one 80-series) from the late 70s to the early 80s when powder coating came into vogue. They continued to use porcelain as a selling feature on the higher models.

When or if you go to evaluate this washer, look underneath for signs of oil flung by the belt on the cabinet. 1978 and later machines have a short centerpost, which when seals fail, allows water to enter the centerpost and come down to the basket drive pulley and below to the transmission. Eventually 'bilge' from the combination of bearing turbine oil, water, and 60w motor oil from the transmission combine to spew "goo" in the path of the basket drive pulley and belt. In advanced cases it may be all over the lower end of the machine. If you see that, repairs can be made, but at least you'll know what you're getting into.

Good luck!

Gordon




Post# 323049 , Reply# 8   1/8/2009 at 10:19 (5,558 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

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Probably standard capacity with a gold straight vane agitator. Might be good for a parts donor, until a better condition, higher-end model comes along.

Post# 323059 , Reply# 9   1/8/2009 at 11:14 (5,558 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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If the parts are all original, and with these interchangeable black panels they were often swapped by rebuilders, this machine looks like a large capacity. The vast majority were anyway. I say that because it appears to have four water levels, and all the standard capacity machines with one exception had three levels only. The other had an infinite switch.

Since the machine has a pre-wash cycle, it probably does not have a gold straight-vane agitator. The BOL black panel machines with a straight vane were light on the cycles and didn't include pre-wash. Even a few Roto-swirl equipped machines didn't get it. My guess would be that the machine is a 1980 70-series with a white Penta-Swirl, at least originally. There was a porcelain model with the same panel which had a DA.


Post# 323062 , Reply# 10   1/8/2009 at 11:35 (5,558 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Correction: I should say that standard capacity black panel machines had three levels or two, however not four.

Gordon


Post# 323076 , Reply# 11   1/8/2009 at 13:09 (5,558 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Gordon....

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I sent you and e-mail...........

Post# 323182 , Reply# 12   1/8/2009 at 21:38 (5,557 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
It's probably a...

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Belt Drive Kenmore 70 series. It will have 4 water levels and 3 temps and your typical array of basic cycles (Pre-wash, Normal, Perm Press, Knit/Delicate). My aunt had one from 1981. It was a large capacity machine with the penta-swirl agitator in white. Otherwise it would have the DA agitator. Should also have a bleach dispenser (not timed though).

If I'm not mistaken BD's had smaller lid openings like this machine does. Also I believe the model tag would be underneath the lid opening and not be on the outside of the cabinet.

Jon


Post# 323187 , Reply# 13   1/8/2009 at 21:51 (5,557 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Jon -

The model tag has moved over the years on belt-drives. In the 60s they were on the back of the cabinet. Later they remained there but were duplicated in the little tab you're talking about near the back lid hinge. In about 1977 the rear data plate moved to the lower left front foot of the cabinet (as this machine has) and the tab was deleted. In 1983 it moved to the lid well where they remain today.

Gordon


Post# 323188 , Reply# 14   1/8/2009 at 22:01 (5,557 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Doesn't the machine pictured above have two water level and three temps?

Post# 323193 , Reply# 15   1/8/2009 at 22:18 (5,557 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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It looks to me like it has four....but it depends on the monitor I am using. It's more clear on the flat-screen at work.

There was only a couple machines similar to this with two water levels, and none had the pre-wash cycle.


Post# 323194 , Reply# 16   1/8/2009 at 22:28 (5,557 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Ah. My monitor may be set a little dark.

Post# 323197 , Reply# 17   1/8/2009 at 22:52 (5,557 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Absolutely this is a BD, no question, perhaps from 1979 or 1980. It could possibly be an 80 series, but I could be wrong. My next door neighbors had a washer that looked exactly like this. I am not sure of the temperatures, but it had 3 water levels, Ex Lo, Med, and Ex Hi. I distinctly remember the emblem on the lower left corner of the console reading "KENMORE 80". As with most black paneled models, it was a large capacity model with the Dual Action Agitator. It is hard for me to see whether this one has 3 or 4 water levels, and because it has been a long time since I saw a black paneled model of this vintage up close, I honestly cannot remember on which side of the center dial the options for this were. There appears to be three options above the control to the right of the dial. The number of options for the left hand control are too hard to make out, so if they are the load size controls, (which were traditionally on the left side) I have no idea how many there are.

I hope somebody does grab these. The late 70s Kenmores had some good sounds to them.

Have a good one,
James


Post# 323218 , Reply# 18   1/9/2009 at 01:20 (5,557 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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OK... I just went and looked at these tonight! From the shape of the top/tub opening ("D" shape") I'd say it's a BD. (but what do I know)

On the console it said 70 (or 80) series (can't remember, it SUCKS getting old! LOL)
It's a XL capacity (4 water levels) on the left.
I did not notice the water temp combinations (on the right).
Also has a white 6 blade (Penta-vane?) agitator.
Has a bleach dispenser too!

Yes they WILL be saved as I bought them! Though I will pick them up the weekend after this.


Post# 323219 , Reply# 19   1/9/2009 at 01:28 (5,557 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
SOLD and SAVED!!

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OK... I am officially putting the word out right here... I am looking for a donor machine or just the top off of a donor so I can replace the rusty top on this machine. SO.... if you know of any that are out there... PLEASE let me know!!!

THANK YOU!!!!
Kevin


Post# 323225 , Reply# 20   1/9/2009 at 02:44 (5,557 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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PentaVane (and PentaSwirl and RotoSwirl and RotoFlex and VariFlex) were never used on direct-drive machines.

Post# 323262 , Reply# 21   1/9/2009 at 08:47 (5,557 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Kevin -

I sent you an e-mail about the replacement machine tops, but I'll keep a lookout. I DO have one in porcelain with a bleach dispenser provision, so if you find one without, I'll swap you. My machine doesn't need the dispenser so it's just sitting there, looking stupid, though it's much better than the nasty rusted one that was there before.

I actually have a couple machines that could benefit from replacements, so if there are any usable out there (I don't want to sacrifice a whole machine to get one though) I may as well start a collection and I'll be glad to share....

Gordon


Post# 323395 , Reply# 22   1/10/2009 at 06:40 (5,556 days old) by tagfan75 ()        

Congrats on your find! My aunt and uncle had a very similar set to this growing up and it provided them years and years of service.


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