|
Thread Number: 20832
Project Kenmores - part 2 (1976 green beast) |
[Down to Last] |  |
Post# 330371 2/15/2009 at 00:24 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64  (Charlotte, NC) |
||
I spent a lot of time today on the 1976 Avocado Kenmore. I used to dislike this color, and had to sell them as "batchelor specials" back in the 90s. This machine I REALLY like though. Here are some highlights of the day's progress: The first pic shows the outer tub, full of detergent residue, which is actually good because it forms a hard, cement like crust and can protect the tub. I had to scrap the agitator shaft because the splines are all rusted. The centerpost is in excellent condition, and the tub came right out with no struggle. 
| ||
|
|
Post# 330372 , Reply# 1 2/15/2009 at 00:26 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330373 , Reply# 2 2/15/2009 at 00:30 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
I pulled the tub early in the day, to find another surprise (last week I found a spider's next in between the basket and tub). Today, there was a mouse's nest or den in between the baseplate and the tub. It must have been a tiny one, but there was a pile of home insulation, bird seed shells, and fuzz. Too funny. You can see the detergent residue and surface rust caused by the leaking centerpost grommet. 
| ||
|
Post# 330374 , Reply# 3 2/15/2009 at 00:31 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330375 , Reply# 4 2/15/2009 at 00:35 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330376 , Reply# 5 2/15/2009 at 00:39 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
The old transmission, out of the machine. The drive pulley is not easy to turn. Something under the machine was very wet, for a long time. My guess is that the pump was leaking, that combined with leakage from the centerpost grommet got all the mechanicals underneath thoroughly soaked, enough that all the pulleys had rusted. Note the seed shells in the dirt. I decided to use one of my rebuilt transmissions instead of messing with this one. 
| ||
|
Post# 330379 , Reply# 6 2/15/2009 at 00:41 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330380 , Reply# 7 2/15/2009 at 00:43 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330381 , Reply# 8 2/15/2009 at 00:45 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330382 , Reply# 9 2/15/2009 at 00:46 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330383 , Reply# 10 2/15/2009 at 00:48 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330384 , Reply# 11 2/15/2009 at 00:50 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Posing.... | ||
|
Post# 330385 , Reply# 12 2/15/2009 at 00:52 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
|
Post# 330386 , Reply# 13 2/15/2009 at 00:54 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Here's my favorite pic so far | ||
|
Post# 330387 , Reply# 14 2/15/2009 at 01:02 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Tomorrow I need to water test the machine. I was very dissappointed in the tub in that there was a rust crack in the lip where the centerpost grommet mounts. This is fairly common but I had thought it was in better shape. When I peeled away the old grommet a piece of the tub lip went with it, large enough that a leak may result. I may have to epoxy the area. Overall, the machine tests out mechanically stellar. It is about as quiet as any belt-drive I've ever heard, except for the quiet pak models. The machine has a new pump, belt, rebuilt transmission and basket drive, a replacement used motor, and a resealed tub, not to mention a de-lousing and good cleaning. The bearings are quiet and I already mentioned the superb centerpost. The best feature to me though is the control panel that I got from Kenny / Goatfarmer. You are a GREAT guy Kenny, thank you so very much! I like this washer! | ||
| Post# 330389 , Reply# 15 2/15/2009 at 01:13 (5,547 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
Holy Crap!! | ||
|
Post# 330399 , Reply# 16 2/15/2009 at 01:54 (5,547 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
That is breathtaking!!!
Wow what a difference that made! I love the green color. I have two avocado sets and I think it's a nice, rich color. It's the "tawny gold" that I'm having to get used to! hehe I imagine I will have to break down my Kenmore like you did and do some serious work at some point but what you did in impressive. I'm glad the vinegar worked too. Love those brown agitators! Congrats on some fine work! Jon | ||
|
Post# 330407 , Reply# 17 2/15/2009 at 04:38 (5,547 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 330427 , Reply# 18 2/15/2009 at 08:25 (5,547 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN) | ||
|
1976 all over again! Wowza! It's like going back to my childhood days. Great restoration on a BEAUTIFUL COLOR machine. Even Pres. Obama would approve of your GREEN appliance. | ||
| Post# 330429 , Reply# 19 2/15/2009 at 09:16 (5,547 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm) | ||
|
Very Nice Gordon! I think avocado is the best color of that era. | ||
|
Post# 330434 , Reply# 20 2/15/2009 at 09:31 (5,547 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL) |
||
N - I - Z - E! | ||
| Post# 330435 , Reply# 21 2/15/2009 at 09:34 (5,547 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan) | ||
Very immpressive Gordon, having had the machine at my shop, I can tell you, that is one of the best transformations I've seen. I can't wait to show the pics to the guy whose basement I took it out of (he's my mechanic). On another note, my '67 Kenmore dryer is getting a lot of looks, maybe the washer could find its way to Michigan??? Matt
| ||
|
Post# 330444 , Reply# 22 2/15/2009 at 10:48 (5,547 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
||
That is just AWESOME!!!!! | ||
|
Post# 330457 , Reply# 23 2/15/2009 at 11:37 (5,547 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Thanks EVERYONE !
Thanks for the great comments. I really enjoyed the work on that machine. I know these are not the vintage washers that some appreciate on here, however I grew up admiring these washers. I remember this model on the Sears floor and I remember how cool I thought the recirculating filter was, since by then they were nowhere near as common in Kenmores as they had been in the 60s. I had a model identical to this in 1991 early in my rebuilding/selling hobby, and I've wanted another ever since. It was white, and had seen much more use than this one, even 18 years ago. When I saw Matt's post of this washer, I had to have it and had hoped I could get it to this point. I'm a little sorry that none of the running gear was re-used. The motor is either weak or has a start switch issue, the pump has granular debris in it and has leaked, the trans is a disaster, so that just leaves the basket drive, which has been wet, so I figured I'd just go for a clean sweep. It would not surprise me at all if I wind up using this machine very regularly. Gordon | ||
| Post# 330487 , Reply# 24 2/15/2009 at 14:24 (5,546 days old) by autowasherfreak () | ||
|
W O W!!!!!!! That's an amazing transformation. At first I didn't care much for avocado green, but the more I see, the more I'm starting to like. Harvest gold will still be my favorite appliance color. Will we be seeing a video anytime in the near future? Jim | ||
| Post# 330555 , Reply# 25 2/15/2009 at 21:18 (5,546 days old) by rickr (.) | ||
 | ||
| Post# 330564 , Reply# 26 2/15/2009 at 21:53 (5,546 days old) by bobbyd32l () | ||
|
If I could find one just like that, in any color I would be ALL OVER IT!!! Excellent job! Its absolutely stunning! | ||
|
Post# 330566 , Reply# 27 2/15/2009 at 21:54 (5,546 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 330593 , Reply# 28 2/16/2009 at 01:45 (5,546 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E) | ||
Congrats:
Even though I don't understand all the enthusiasm for the avocado colour (I was around when avocado was The Latest Thing, and I still shudder when I think of the tsunami of avocado that hit our house), I do know a great restoration job when I see one. BTW, that 800 behind the avocado machine is the same model my grandmother had. Wouldn't mind having a pair of those for old times' sake. | ||
|
Post# 330648 , Reply# 30 2/16/2009 at 11:09 (5,546 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Some may find this interesting
I was thinking last night about the discussion here regarding the rarity of a black-panel, standard capacity machine with the manual filter and was wondering how truly unusual it is. I know that the manual filters were used only in 60-series machines, since all 70-series and higher in this era had self-cleaners. By 1976 when the black-panel machines debuted, standard capacity machines from Sears were almost the ugly cousins of the line, that customers weren't shown unless the salesperson was asked about them or if there was a campaign going on to sell them. This transition had occurred just a few years earlier. I have a really cool old Whirlpool catalog from 1992, which lists every Kenmore and Whirlpool washer model from 1975 to then current. Dryers too. So, figured I'd simply count the applicable 60-series machines. I found some really interesting results, at least for my interest in Kenmores. Some background: Starting in 1974, the model number system was altered and it allowed some determination of certain features and characteristics simply by looking at the number. It also took into account the machine color. From the new model numbers one can tell if a machine is a 24 or 29-inch model, if it is standard or large capacity, it's series, it's engineering revision, and the model year it was designed for. I eliminated the color designator first, then excluded the engineering change number (this is a minor change that doesn't affect the machine itself or it's marketing, but changes the parts diagram. Changes in timers, knobs, lid hinges, filters, etc. have all resulted in an engineering change within a model). Taking those things into account, I counted seventy-four, yes 74, distinct 29-inch black-panel belt-drive models having been issued from 1976 through 1984. (The '84 models were not meant to be showroom floor models and the '83 models were the ones that closed-out belt-drive sales in the stores). Of those 74 models, only 17 were standard capacity, which were offered as 1976 thru 1980 models. I am not counting the 24-inch models. Of those 17, only one model in '76, '77, and '78, and three in '79, had a manual filter. The '79 models had the tub-ring mounted filter, so, with my machine having a filter just like those of the 60s (with the mounting bracket attached to the cabinet), it truly was the last of the breed indeed. Incidentally, the '76 / '77 / '78 model was essentially the same, differing in print only surrounding the delicate cycle. I find statistics like that interesting! p.s. - there was only one black-panel model in 1980, a six-cycle five-temp machine with a Roto-Swirl. A great way to wind-up standard capacity production, and I'm adding this model to my keepers/dream machine list. | ||
| Post# 330657 , Reply# 31 2/16/2009 at 12:56 (5,545 days old) by tbolt25 (Kentucky) | ||
|
my Grandma's 1971 Kenmore washer My Grandma used to have a 1971 Kenmore washer-with the cone cap gold straight-vane agitator, as well. This green Kenmore is making my 1978 BD Whirlpool jealous! | ||
|
Post# 330681 , Reply# 32 2/16/2009 at 15:47 (5,545 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
||
Avocado Green with envy! | ||
|
Post# 330686 , Reply# 33 2/16/2009 at 16:34 (5,545 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 330721 , Reply# 34 2/16/2009 at 20:55 (5,545 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.) | ||
|
tbolt25 Once again a washer from your past piques my interest. Regarding your grandma's washer, was the cycle dial in the center of the console, and did it have the manual filter? My aunt had a 1970 model that had both those features and it was my favorite Kenmore. Thank you in advance, and have a good one, James | ||
| Post# 330736 , Reply# 35 2/16/2009 at 22:45 (5,545 days old) by soberleaf () | ||
|
LOVE IT!!! what a beautiful restoration! love the pics and the info! and avacado, my all time favorite color!!!! we even had an avacado sink to match our stove, frig, and dishwasher! beautiful job!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Post# 330740 , Reply# 36 2/16/2009 at 23:14 (5,545 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 330751 , Reply# 37 2/17/2009 at 01:16 (5,545 days old) by tbolt25 (Kentucky) | ||
|
it was indeed a center-dial Yes it indeed had the center dial and the manual filter-it also made that distinct 'woo-woo' sound during agitation. | ||
|
Post# 330754 , Reply# 38 2/17/2009 at 02:00 (5,545 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
||
Stunning | ||
| Post# 331100 , Reply# 39 2/18/2009 at 19:34 (5,543 days old) by stainfighter (Columbia, SC) | ||
name for 'Green Beast'...
how about the 'Green Hornet' or 'Mr. Green Jeans' ? LOL... you have done a wonderful job and agree with Mike it looks great with the dark control panel (but they didn't make them that way in the early 70's did they? that wasn't until late 70's? I think my Mom's had dark panel and it was from '77) Robert | ||
|
Post# 331169 , Reply# 40 2/19/2009 at 02:53 (5,543 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
|
Matt - So you feel like restoring? COOL - how about pink AND Turq? What do you have in mind? Mike - Thanks for the nice compliments. The job isn't really that big a deal as the top is porcelain enameled, and I just cleaned it with a smooth stovetop cleaner, and the cabinet with warm soapy water. The control panel was swapped with one that had been stored in decent shape and cleaned with appliance cleaner wipes. Robert - This is a 1976 machine, and the first year of the black panel model, which lasted with the belt drives until the end of production. Gordon | ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
