Thread Number: 28510
A sought-after Kenmore found!
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Post# 435573   5/16/2010 at 14:55 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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This has been a neat day. Since getting back into my washer hobby (in overdrive) in January 2008, I have been buying Sears catalogs to go along with those that a friend I met through the site had left me. Now I've got all the 1970s, and all the 80s through the last belt-drive machines.

One machine in the 1980-1981 catalogs has intrigued me, and it looked to me like the ultimate belt-drive machine, but it is a higher-end model (essentially TOL) that I have seen few if any of.

I got one a few weeks back from that truck from Arizona that the authorities raided, but it has a 1979 70-series control panel on it. Cant' have that, so I put out an inquiry on the site to see if anyone knew of a spare, proper control panel. Well, as wonderful as he is, Andy aka RedCarpetDrew came across one on Friday and the panel is on it's way to me. Oddly, I came across a whole machine on Craigslist in Charlotte, and just as the wash-in at WebMaster Robert's was in full swing, I saluted all the attendees and the host by hauling home the nastiest, grossest in-service washer I've seen in a good while.

What was a nasty ugly-duckling has blossomed today into quite the swan though! Take a look:




This post was last edited 05/16/2010 at 15:13



Post# 435574 , Reply# 1   5/16/2010 at 14:57 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
It's hard to imagine people using something like this to CLEAN clothes. Touch the wrong spot and this washer would make them dirtier.

Yes, that is a block of calcified detergent on the back of the lid well. I had to scrape some of it off with a paint scraper.




This post was last edited 05/16/2010 at 15:15
Post# 435576 , Reply# 2   5/16/2010 at 14:58 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Just nasty...

Post# 435577 , Reply# 3   5/16/2010 at 14:59 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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More...

Post# 435579 , Reply# 4   5/16/2010 at 15:00 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Yet more, and this is as removed from a laundry closet last night.

Post# 435580 , Reply# 5   5/16/2010 at 15:01 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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I thought this was rust but it turned out to be cigarette smoke residue.

Post# 435581 , Reply# 6   5/16/2010 at 15:03 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
The worst part, wow

Post# 435582 , Reply# 7   5/16/2010 at 15:03 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Underneath

Post# 435584 , Reply# 8   5/16/2010 at 15:06 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Chech her out now!

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
I am not done as I want to touch-up the porcelain knicks, but I adjusted the lid hinge so the lid doesn't lay so flat, which causes the knicks. There are a few abrasions on the panel, but it's really nice now.

Post# 435585 , Reply# 9   5/16/2010 at 15:07 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Posing

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
I am bonding with this machine already...

Post# 435586 , Reply# 10   5/16/2010 at 15:08 (5,064 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Nice machine, Gordon, hope ya got 'er cheep!

Post# 435587 , Reply# 11   5/16/2010 at 15:09 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
I made the machine wash her nasty rags. Check out that water!

She runs wonderfully, and for the first time probably in my life, I ran a normal cycle with second rinse (by using the one in the timer that is). All that soap in the machine was supplied by the residue on the washer, none was added, and it took two rinses to get it out.


Post# 435588 , Reply# 12   5/16/2010 at 15:10 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
More...

As Kevin would say "Ain't she purdy?"


Post# 435590 , Reply# 13   5/16/2010 at 15:12 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Ready for real laundry...I think I'll have to run one more load of shop towels in her before I do that though, can't get the image of all that schmutz out of my head right now....

Post# 435592 , Reply# 14   5/16/2010 at 15:19 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Kenny -

The washer and a nice but equally dirty 1986 70-series dryer were less than a hundred bucks for the pair. With the way the washer works, I think it was worth it!

Gordon


Post# 435610 , Reply# 15   5/16/2010 at 16:49 (5,064 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
Great looking control panel Gordon, glad you were able to find one... Pretty nasty looking at first but that last picture! What a difference, nice job cleaning it up.

Post# 435629 , Reply# 16   5/16/2010 at 18:35 (5,064 days old) by best-cleaning ()        

Nice! Anothe Kenmore for your collection.

Gordon, What is this inside the lid, next to water level switch?



Post# 435630 , Reply# 17   5/16/2010 at 18:57 (5,064 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
Rodrigo

The item you mentioned allows the machine to do the combina-
tions of soak, prewash and wash without returning to the ma-
chine to add detergent for the second wash. It holds a detergent cup. When the main washcycle is reached a solenoid
activated button hits the dispenser through the little hole below the hanger. A spring loaded door is released and the detergent drops into the tub for the main wash cycle. Not designed for liquid detergent!


Post# 435642 , Reply# 18   5/16/2010 at 19:56 (5,064 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
A fitting challenge

pulltostart's profile picture
for Mister Kenmore. Congratulations, Gordon!

Lawrence


Post# 435654 , Reply# 19   5/16/2010 at 20:27 (5,064 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

This was in a laundry closet? From the before pictures it looks like it was in an outhouse. How anybody could mess up a machine like this is far beyond me. However, once again you amaze me with your God given talent to clean and spiff these washers up so they look like new again. Hats off to you for making this once ugly duckling into a swan that looks as if it arrived off the Sears delivery truck.

Have a good one,
James


Post# 435743 , Reply# 20   5/17/2010 at 09:13 (5,064 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture
Gordon it is amazing how so many people do have nasty washers!!
but you did a swell job on clean up and it is Puuurrdy lol.
I love the cycle modofier selections & auto water temp classic kenmore trait.
I did get the machines yesterday and will post later I hope you are happy with your machine Nice.


Darren k


Post# 435747 , Reply# 21   5/17/2010 at 10:21 (5,064 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
The cycle modifier is

mickeyd's profile picture
the best one ever; they put everything together--it's perfect.

See, the BOL King becomes a TOL Squire, a natural evolution at Aworg. After a while having a TOL or two become irresistible, no?

Interested in your recipe for the majestic clean-up.


Post# 435752 , Reply# 22   5/17/2010 at 11:08 (5,064 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Congrats Gordon!

revvinkevin's profile picture

Wow that machine sure cleaned up nicely!

Congrats on this unique find! YAY!

Kevin


Post# 435757 , Reply# 23   5/17/2010 at 11:44 (5,064 days old) by retropia ()        
Many options

It looks like you have many ways to customize your wash, with that Cycle Modifier and other options. I'll bet the owners manual is thick with explanations about how everything works, and when to choose which option.

Post# 435762 , Reply# 24   5/17/2010 at 12:04 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Speaking of owner's manuals, I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Back then, there was an operator's instruction booklet for each model, including a two-page fold-out view of the control panel, with descriptions on how to use the features, knob by knob and setting by setting. That would be neat to find for sale on ebay. I've found a number of 1960's Kenmore literature items, but not 1980s yet.

Gordon


Post# 435772 , Reply# 25   5/17/2010 at 12:38 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Mike -

I am still more of a MOL or BOL guy, but I remembered this model when I saw it in the 1980 catalog as a kid, then I paid more attention to it when I got copies of the catalogs again. Sears' focus at the time was on the electronic machines as their "Sears Best" fare, in fact in 1980 there were two electronic models offered, a left-over 1979 electronic machine (not a Lady K) and the 1980 Lady. By early 1981, the '79 model was done and only the Lady bested this machine. Since many people weren't interested in the electronic washers, this one was the TOL model in some people's minds, I'm sure.

What's cool to me is that there probably weren't very many people in town who were willing to give this washer a second glance once they saw how nasty it was, yet I have been wanting just this model, I enjoy the clean up, and it seemed to call to me. The service panel was rattling up a racket because one of the screws was missing, so if any prospective buyers tested the washer, just touching it then hearing the panel rattle could have been enough for many for say "Thanks, have a nice day" and boogie out of there.

The washer worked great during the wash of the clean-up rags, and it sounds very classically belt-drive. Once I feel like I have this thing as dissinfected on the inside as out, I think I will enjoy using it. BUT, next to it will probably be something BOL. In fact in storage I have a true BOL 1980 Kenmore, which would be neat to compare and contrast in my garage, with them both connected and serviceable.

As to my recipe for clean-up - this one took about 3.5 hours and a lot of various things to do the work, everything from a paint-scraper to Lysol disinfecting kitchen cleaner. I used 409 on the cabinet and tub ring, and saturated rags for the top. I used a Windex wipe with added Lysol for the control panel, but I usually use smooth-top stove cleaner for that as it leaves no streaks. I completely removed the panel to clean the gunk underneath. That detergent 'block' under the lid was not easy to get off. I figured it would just dissolve and fall into the tub. Well, maybe 2/3 of it did, but the rest was adhered to the top and had to be scraped off (thank goodness for porcelain, which looks un-scathed). The chunks that broke off sounded like glass or stones when I dropped them on the floor. I used Windex wipes on the knobs, which when I re-install I do so with a clean towel on my hand so as not to re-smudge them, :-) The only thing I don't like is the clear-coat issues on the woodgrain top, but I'm thinking about auto protectant to work that over.

I painted the porcelain chips, and it looks even better now. Just got to get over the 'before' shots in my mind. I've seen similarly dirty washers, in fact my 1977 Penta-Swirl machine was at least as bad, but it had been 18 years since it was used so it seemed less related to other people's "gross-ness" after all that time.

I think it safe to say that I appreciate this machine more than anyone else who would have bought it. It was offered on Craigslist more than a week before I got it, so I guess it was meant to be?

G



Post# 435776 , Reply# 26   5/17/2010 at 12:52 (5,064 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        

nice job on that one and a beatiful machine!
When i got my '86 70 series running i also had to run it twice
to get all the soap out of it-it tried to suds lock on the
first spin....


Post# 435779 , Reply# 27   5/17/2010 at 13:08 (5,064 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Funny! Suds locks are more probable on 1981 - 1986 Kenmore large capacity machines vs. the earlier ones, as their tubs use the much narrower drain outlet that was used on earlier standard tub models. The previous large machines use a wide-open drain hose that is probably 2 or 3 times as wide, and I'm not sure I've ever seen a suds lock in one of those. Suds locks for me in Kenmores are rare in general, but I have had them happen in models with those narrow tub drains.

Gordon


Post# 435815 , Reply# 28   5/17/2010 at 16:21 (5,063 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Windex! Thank you for your generous, satisfying post. I'

mickeyd's profile picture
Was afraid that maybe the big :W: might be a bit too harsh, but it's what I use to keep the machines spiffy. So It's safe, I'm sure, if you are using it.

Very glad you got the machine. I think anyone here would love to have it. I know the MOL version very well, but it always seemed stronger and more powerful than its earlier siblings. The other day you wrote that at some point KM made a stronger transmission which these editions have. Glad to see it was not my imagination inventing their greater strength compared to the 63 LK.

Don't you get a kick out of the way the timer rushes to the rinse fill after the last spray, omitting the 2 minute spin? And when you get a chance, do these machines spin faster than their predecessors, or do they just wind up faster to 550?


Post# 436123 , Reply# 29   5/18/2010 at 21:29 (5,062 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        

I love your new Kenmore, will you be using this as your daily driver??? Also, was someone using this machine as it was? You did a fantastic job of cleaning it up, lots of luck. My mom used to work at a Sears Catalog Store, I remember looking at these machines when they first came out, it seems like everyone in the seventies had one version or another of the center dial Kenmores, I like this control panel style the best, before they started to color block between cycle selections, I think this was a much cleaner look, and what is the problem with the woodgrain, just curious.
Take care,
Mike

Mike


Post# 436139 , Reply# 30   5/18/2010 at 22:37 (5,062 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Gordon, I'm assuming the original dispenser had timed bleach & softner mechanisms. If not, kind of defeats the auto soak to wash detergent dispenser feature.

Post# 436140 , Reply# 31   5/18/2010 at 22:39 (5,062 days old) by StrongEnough78 (California)        
Great Job!!!

strongenough78's profile picture
You cleaned that machine up beautifully! What was with all the soap residue in that Baby? I take it these people were some serious over soapers. When do we get to see a video of her in action?

Post# 436146 , Reply# 32   5/18/2010 at 23:26 (5,062 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Beautiful clean up on the Kenmore. Kind of cool to see "energy saver" labels over the controls. We were aware of energy costs back then, after waiting in line to buy gas. Then we went back to fantasy world for another 3 decades. This alone should make that Kenmore a collectible. alr2903

Post# 436159 , Reply# 33   5/19/2010 at 01:04 (5,062 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
Well, Gordon... If you don't need the spare console now... LOL!

RCD


Post# 436185 , Reply# 34   5/19/2010 at 07:20 (5,062 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Nice work, Gordon! That was one nasty old girl but your makeover is stunning.

That machine and matching dryer was at an estate sale a couple of years ago. They were like new! I stared for a long time as it was one of the Kenmores I would loved as a kid - that detergent dispenser was just too cool. I looked all over for that box at the sale and couldn't find it. I didn't buy the washer but I did get my Ironrite there and a friend of mine now owns the house.

Good to see it again - congrats on a rather rare machine.


Post# 436392 , Reply# 35   5/20/2010 at 09:45 (5,061 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Looks like I've got a bunch of questions to answer...

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
I wasn't online at all yesterday, so I'm sorry I missed a few questions.

Yes, the machine was in service, but the house it was in was a rental and I don't know how long it had been empty. The woodgrain looks like it has some clear-coat peeling going on, which I've never seen before.

Bob - The detergent dispenser is timed and timer operated in the main wash cycles. The bleach is a regular hose-to-tub version, and the softener dispenser was agitator mounted.

As to over-soapers - I don't know if they were or not, I haven't removed the basket to see if there is any residue (or how much) in the outer tub. They were definitely careless with it though, as it was on every horizontal surface.

These machines were energy savers for their time - they even re-designed the mixing valve back then to use 50/50 hot and cold mixes, vs. the previous 60/40, which saved hot water use. Any machine I have that has an original valve is noticeably warmer...

Andy - YES, lol I want that other panel. You are still very much THE MAN! I'll put the second machine back together then I'll see which one calls to me loudest, and will offer the other to the club.

Thanks for all the comments folks - I like this rare machine!

Gordon


Post# 436673 , Reply# 36   5/21/2010 at 15:13 (5,059 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
MickeyD.....

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Dude, I missed one of your questions! :-(

The spin increment you're talking about in the timer was an evolutionary change made to all Kenmores in the first half of the 70s. This even affected some (not all) replacement timers for earlier machines. Instead of a two-minute first spin with sprays followed by a 2 minute regular spin before the rinse, the second 2-minute spin was eliminated in favor of a longer neutral drain period, to allow machines just like this one (with the biggest tub and slowest pump) to fully empty before they start to spin.

As an example, my 1972 Kenmore 60-series (I haven't talked much about it here) is a standard cap. machine with the old-configuration spins. It drains for two minutes then gets on with it and goes into spin. That same timer was used in a large capacity machine in 1973, and I am sure that in some machines with a long or up-hill drain hose, they used more than 2 minutes to drain. So, the machine was left trying to spin partially filled (TOUGH on a BD).

Replacement timers for both those machines now sub to a new version with shorter spin and more idle time, which eliminates the flooded spin. This also lessens wear on the centerpost bearings from essentially unnecessary spin time.

As to the spin speed, the large cap BDs actually spin a tiny bit slower in RPMs than the standard machines, BUT what most fail to consider here is that the larger diameter of the tub causes a significant enough increase in centrifical forse to extract BETTER than a standard tub model. WP even states this in their introduction of the 18lb. machines to the technicians in the late 60s.

Gordon


Post# 436749 , Reply# 37   5/22/2010 at 01:56 (5,059 days old) by tbolt25 (Kentucky)        
off-balance buzzer

Does this particular washer of yours have the off-balance switch with the buzzer?

Post# 436809 , Reply# 38   5/22/2010 at 12:06 (5,059 days old) by 18millstreet ()        
80s KENMORE belt drives

Hi Gordon, I've been trying to reach you. Do you still want the 1980 kenmore washer I have for you? Please give me a call or email me,and congratulations on your kenmores! Very best regards,Walt (585)735-5889

Post# 436866 , Reply# 39   5/22/2010 at 19:57 (5,058 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Gordon, our 1970 or 1971 Kenmore 800 had the two minute drain and the two minute spin with the the 4 spray rinses and then it stopped and filled for the main rinse. Always a suds lock on a load of towels, even with low-suds All. And our 19775 or 1976 series 70 large4 capacity had the 4 minute drain and the two minute spin with the 4 spray rinses and then stop for the rinse fill.

Post# 436993 , Reply# 40   5/23/2010 at 18:21 (5,057 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
tbolt - Yes, this machine has an off-balance buzzer. Most of the better Kenmores do, but in 1980 you had to have the third or fourth 70 series (out of four) or better to get one.

Greg - Yes, the detergent dispenser IS cool, however yesterday I wound up cursing a storm at it. I used the machine in the morning to wash the towels that I dirtied during the testing and install of the '82 60. That went fine, but somehow the detergent solenoid got wet (I did let the 82 drain into this machine with its test water), and since it had more of that detergent residue that was everywhere else in the machine, it stayed wet and gooey. Every time I would plug the machine in, immediately the garage GFI would blow. Without a working test meter, I wound up eliminating one thing after another trying to determine what would cause this. Couldn't believe that the solenoid in this machine is hot all the time. I knew the timer and cycle modifier switch would be, but the detergent solenoid? WOW Without the solenoid in line, the timer is dead in the first 6 minutes of wash in Normal, all of Delicate, and the first 4 minutes of Perm. Press. The function of the Pre-Soak and Pre-Wash was unaffected since the dispenser is not used in those cycles.

I'm going to have to get the solenoid out of the machine, clean it completely, and cross my fingers that it isn't shorted out. I worked on that problem for at least four hours!! Talk about frustrating each time I'd plug the machine in and hear the instant 'pop' of the GFI. Glad to know it works though, lol. By the time I disconnected the solenoid, I was getting pretty punchy.

Another note to self - get new batteries for the test meter!

Gordon


Post# 438525 , Reply# 41   5/30/2010 at 20:11 (5,050 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
I learned something interesting about this machine this morning while looking at machine parts diagrams on Sears's site today. This machine as I've said is a 1980 model, and is an 80-series. I was thinking it was a pretty fancy model to be an 80, then I compared the 1979 version, which was a 90 series and found an interesting difference.

My machine (110.82082100) has a standard bleach dispenser that drains into the outer tub, and came with an agitator mounted softener dispenser in addition to the mechanical solenoid operated detergent dispenser.

The 1979 version (110.72992100) had the same solenoid operated detergent dispenser, but instead of the two separate other dispensers that the 1980 version had (kinda lame ones for a TOL machine) the '79 had the dual sump, dual solenoid operated bleach/fabric softener tank on the left front cabinet corner. It may have been one of the later models to have this feature.

I previously thought these two machines had been clones, but now I see why one is an 80-series and the other a 90.

Just for grins, I checked the 78 model and found it to have the two separate switches for soak and second rinse, instead of the multi-function cycle modifier switch.

Kinda thought this was cool...

Gordon




This post was last edited 05/30/2010 at 23:59
Post# 438533 , Reply# 42   5/30/2010 at 21:40 (5,050 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Gordon, that's what I was getting at. Kind of pointless to have a auto detergent release at the beginning of the main wash after prewash or soak and not having timed release softner and bleach dispensers. That's why I asked about the dispener in the front left because it had the exact same space of real estate as that of the timed dispeners in the 1979 90 series model. The 1979 90 series may have also had a light over the tiemr dial. The 1978 series 90 did. I hated to see them combine the two outer knobs on the 1978 90 series into one single cycle modifier in the 1979 model. Kind of blew the panel symmetry. The corresponding 1978 90 series dryer had the four little knobs--start button, variable signal, temp selector, and winkle guard II on/off control. That 90 series dryer was the only one in the line with a medium heat setting. All others had either high or low only, in addition to air fluff.


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