Thread Number: 37752
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
My weekend washer trip turned into a wonderful reunion! |
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Post# 561596   12/6/2011 at 21:39 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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What started out as a nearly last minute trip (3 days prior), turned into an awesome weekend of meeting and reuniting of friends and family.
Here is how things fell into place: (bare with me, it's worth the read)
~ Wednesday night I get a phone call from John L. (Combo 52) about a machine on the Sacramento Craig’s List asking if I might be interested. He said would buy it, but with shipping costs what they are, it would be better if someone “local” got it…. (and you ALL know I do NOT have nearly enough machines in my collection yet! (cough... cough...).
~ Friday afternoon I e-mail Gordon (Kenmoreguy64) about my weekend trip and he reminds me he is flying to Sacramento Sunday night for business at his company’s plant in Lodi, south of Sacramento. KEWL, we can meet up for dinner!
~ Friday night I call Andy (Redcarpetdrew), who’s outside Reno, NV to tell him "Hey, I’m heading to Sacramento for..... and Gordon's also coming to town, would you consider making the drive over to meet up with us"? He and his wife Jacqui agree to make the 2.5 hour drive to meet up with us in Auburn (north of Sacramento).
~ Saturday morning Gordon successfully changes his flight and now arrives at 2 pm instead of 8:40 pm. YAY!
~ Saturday evening I load 2 machines in my truck for Andy. Also Sat. evening, it dawned me, I have an aunt in Sacramento I have not seen in at least 20 years, probably longer! I don’t have her phone number, so I send a (last minute) email to let her know I'm coming up in the morning and ask if we can meet up. I was hoping she gets it in time!
~ Sunday morning as I'm on the road heading north, my phone rings and it's my Aunt Linda. She tells me to come on by so I re-program the NAV for her house instead of my motel.
~ Sunday afternoon I arrive at my aunts house and we visit for more then an hour before Gordon calls from the AP (his flight arrived 40 mins early). I visit another 30 - 40 minutes before I say goodbye and head toward Lodi to meet Gordon at his hotel. I pick him up and we make the hour+ drive north to Auburn to get the washer that was the genesis for this entire trip, and to meet up with Andy and Jacqui. BTW, Gordon and Andy have spoken on the phone numerous times, but had never met.
~ Sunday evening, after meeting up with Andy and his wife, we load the Lady Kenmore in Andy's truck (he also had a couple machines on board, but still had more room) and I lead the group to a restaurant a couple miles away that I found on Yelp. We arrive, I reserve us a table and we then proceed to unload and reload the machines from both trucks, doing a swap-around right there in the parking lot! About 30 minutes later we head into the restaurant and have a wonderful 2.5 hour dinner and visit. Then sadly, we say our goodbye's as Andy and his wife Jacqui get on the road back toward Reno, then Gordon and I make the drive back down to Lodi.
~ Monday morning after having breakfast with Gordon, we head over to the plant so I can drop off a washer Andy brought him, a plastic top 24” Kenmore. We say our goodbyes too and I start my 6 hour drive back home. Next came a very unexpected finishing touch, or icing on the cake for the entire trip. A “friend” of mine just north of LA contacted me as I was still more then 2 hours out of LA. Once I got in the area I stopped and had “dessert” (wink wink) before getting myself into the infamous LA “rush hour” traffic. (but believe me, it was worth it!)
So… what originally started off simply as weekend washer run, very quickly turned into an extremely wonderful weekend reuniting AW friends Gordon, myself and separately, Andy. Then bringing AW friends together for the first time (Gordon and Andy), plus bringing me together with an aunt I have not seen in many, many years!
MyAunt Linda & I This post was last edited 12/07/2011 at 01:05 |
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Post# 561597 , Reply# 1   12/6/2011 at 21:41 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561599 , Reply# 2   12/6/2011 at 21:42 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561601 , Reply# 3   12/6/2011 at 21:45 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561602 , Reply# 4   12/6/2011 at 21:48 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Here is the one Andy brought over for me.... a Monkey Norge (Montgomery Wards badged) burp-a-lator! Very nice as I've wanted one of these to play with for a while now! THANK YOU ANDY! This post was last edited 12/06/2011 at 22:13 |
Post# 561603 , Reply# 5   12/6/2011 at 21:50 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561604 , Reply# 6   12/6/2011 at 21:54 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561605 , Reply# 7   12/6/2011 at 21:57 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561606 , Reply# 8   12/6/2011 at 21:59 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561608 , Reply# 9   12/6/2011 at 22:42 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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As Kevin said, this whole trip fell together very quickly! I was looking forward to seeing Kevin (as was Jacqui) and his new find in person. Better yet, he could ferry another washer to Lodi that I was giving to Gordon. Gordon was already expecting two other washers I gave him to show up at Lodi via a shipper. Best yet was being able to meet Gordon in person!!! I have made so many great friends thru AW and Gordon is right up there as we talk over the phone frequently.
We made the trip in good time and met up at the address where the find was. Big hugs were exchanged before we got to business... Here's Kevin's truck with the 63 Lady Kenmore which will match my pink 63 Lady Kenmore dryer and a Agitub! |
Post# 561609 , Reply# 10   12/6/2011 at 22:47 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561610 , Reply# 11   12/6/2011 at 22:56 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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The entire reason this whole trip even happened in the first place.... was to go get this........
This post was last edited 12/06/2011 at 23:28 |
Post# 561611 , Reply# 12   12/6/2011 at 22:58 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561612 , Reply# 13   12/6/2011 at 23:00 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561613 , Reply# 14   12/6/2011 at 23:05 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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The 1969 Lady Kenmore combo!
Now before you say anything about someone ruining it by putting shelf paper or wall paper all over it, according to John L. (Combo52) this "woodgrain look" is a factory direct "color option" that was available for one or maybe two years only! He knew this was offered, but had never actually seen one until seeing photos of this one. This post was last edited 12/06/2011 at 23:30 |
Post# 561615 , Reply# 15   12/6/2011 at 23:11 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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As you can see the woodgrain applique is under the data tag/ID plate and the door boot/seal. This is factory baby!
Info on this machine is.... the seller buys and liquidates vacated / abandoned storage units and this was inside one of them. He has no idea how long it was in storage, but it looks to be in pretty darn good condition!
This post was last edited 12/06/2011 at 23:30 |
Post# 561616 , Reply# 16   12/6/2011 at 23:17 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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The interior shot - it's very clean!
I have tried running it and it does go through all the motions it's supposed to, but it just needs a little TLC.
I want to send a great big THANK YOU to John L. for calling me about this combo and to Doug (Retropia) for finding it on Craigs List! Thanks so much!
Another dream machine FOUND! YAY!
Kevin |
Post# 561617 , Reply# 17   12/6/2011 at 23:22 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561618 , Reply# 18   12/6/2011 at 23:22 (4,496 days old) by retropia ()   |   | |
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Congrats! It appears to be in remarkably good condition. |
Post# 561619 , Reply# 19   12/6/2011 at 23:25 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561620 , Reply# 20   12/6/2011 at 23:28 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561621 , Reply# 21   12/6/2011 at 23:30 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561622 , Reply# 22   12/6/2011 at 23:32 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561623 , Reply# 23   12/6/2011 at 23:33 (4,496 days old) by golittlesport (California)   |   | |
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Post# 561624 , Reply# 24   12/6/2011 at 23:34 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561625 , Reply# 25   12/6/2011 at 23:35 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561626 , Reply# 26   12/6/2011 at 23:36 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561627 , Reply# 27   12/6/2011 at 23:36 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561628 , Reply# 28   12/6/2011 at 23:36 (4,496 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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You will notice I'm wearing shorts. I wear shorts 99% of the time. However I needed the sweatshirt because it was C O L D!
Monday morning after having breakfast with Gordon, I offered to start and get his rental car warming while he went back to his room for a minute. I started the car and turned on the wipers... only to find they skated across the ICE on his windshield! I think it was down in the high 20's overnight! That is something THIS California boy does not regularly see!
Kevin |
Post# 561629 , Reply# 29   12/6/2011 at 23:37 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561630 , Reply# 30   12/6/2011 at 23:40 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561631 , Reply# 31   12/6/2011 at 23:44 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561632 , Reply# 32   12/6/2011 at 23:47 (4,496 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 561657 , Reply# 35   12/7/2011 at 06:34 (4,496 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 561660 , Reply# 36   12/7/2011 at 06:53 (4,496 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)   |   | |
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Post# 561664 , Reply# 37   12/7/2011 at 07:19 (4,496 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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WOW it is neat to actually see this machine, I had know for over 20 years that this was made as the parts list that came with the machines listed to different cabinet parts used. This machine should go with the Whirlpool [ Ford Country Squire ] washer and dryer. I guess that the LKM combo would have to be the 1969 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon with dual-air and real [ plastic ] woodgrain siding, LOL. My brother Jeff and I had this car many years ago and I am sorry that I got rid of it, but a panicked when Hi-test gas hit 75 cents per gallon LOL. |
Post# 561665 , Reply# 38   12/7/2011 at 07:20 (4,496 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)   |   | |
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Post# 561670 , Reply# 40   12/7/2011 at 08:03 (4,495 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)   |   | |
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Oh this looked like it was a hoot! You guys wear it on your faces. It's always fun to hang out with other washer aficionado, something that I don't get to do often enough! Maybe I should down a sedative and hit the skies back to CA! The combo looks great and the Norge is really cool too. Andy's happy with the 63 and Gordon got another BOL 24" BD. Talk about the planets aligning!
-Tim |
Post# 561679 , Reply# 41   12/7/2011 at 08:43 (4,495 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)   |   | |
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Post# 561694 , Reply# 42   12/7/2011 at 10:50 (4,495 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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How many eyebrows went up at the mention of abandonned storage units as a new source for treasure? Mine sure did.
Andy, here's the dispenser pic you asked for this moring, an old one till I get a new camera, from iphoto library, but it wouldn't email. Sorry. Hope this helps for now. There is a detailed description of it in a new message i just sent you. |
Post# 561714 , Reply# 43   12/7/2011 at 13:33 (4,495 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
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Post# 561715 , Reply# 44   12/7/2011 at 13:38 (4,495 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)   |   | |
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We all had a wonderful time. At the same time that Andy brought me the 1982 Kenmore, two other machines arrived in Lodi that he had sent earlier. These are a near mint 1968 Kenmore 24-inch model and an unusual 1985 Lady Kenmore. This Lady now becomes the newest belt drive I have being tbree weeks newer than the seventy series which I bought new. I cannot wait to get these to Charlotte so I can begin playing with them.
I am sitting at gate A14 in Sacramento waiting for my first of two planes home. I usually just deal with this trip as it is a business trip that I do annually, but this was a very fun time!!! THANKS to Andy, Jacqui, and Kevin for making it and outstanding trip!! |
Post# 561717 , Reply# 45   12/7/2011 at 13:47 (4,495 days old) by turquoisedude (.)   |   | |
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Wow Kevin, I can't believe the incredible run of luck you've had lately!! That LK combo is something else - the door boot looks good and the tub looks pristine!! I can't wait to see how it runs!
What a nice meet-up you had with Andy, Jacqui, and Gordon too - definitely the 'icing on the cake'! Congratulations!!!
If you ever want to bring me anything turquoise, I can send you a map... LOL (ducks and runs) |
Post# 561726 , Reply# 46   12/7/2011 at 15:30 (4,495 days old) by Jsneaker ()   |   | |
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OH those machines are BEAUTIFUL! Kevin, you are SO lucky to have the Combo, and I wish you best of luck with it! I sure hope we get to see these machines in action! Jason |
Post# 561732 , Reply# 47   12/7/2011 at 15:48 (4,495 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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That combo is sure cool - Country Squire is right! What a rare bird that is, congrats on the good find!
Good to see pictures of all the gang - but what about the Agitub? Not photo worthy? When I first started working at Sears, one of those exact '82, 24" washers came back on a return and they were selling it for $50 as it was very badly stained with iron. I wanted it in the worst way but as I already had three appliances in my mother's basement that "didn't belong here" so I had to pass on it. I knew better than to even ask. I love that you're dating your collection in "weeks" - awesome! |
Post# 561763 , Reply# 48   12/7/2011 at 17:29 (4,495 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Looks like you guys had a great time. I would be honored to meet some of you in person. The happiness I see in you guys reminds me of picking up my dream washer and dryer set. (1986 KM Limited electronic) last spring. Hey RCD your video of the 1960's WP was what got me interested in collecting. Great to put faces to the names I have come to know and respect.
Nick |
Post# 561767 , Reply# 49   12/7/2011 at 17:59 (4,495 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)   |   | |
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I am jazzed that my videos helped bring us a new friend! Did you introduce us to the 86's yet? If not, pictures are way over due. Keep watching as there are get togethers frequently, esp in your neck of the woods. It'll be nice to put a face with your name, too!
The Agitub is indeed worthy of pictures and will be soon enough. I have tracked down the replacement washer motor she needs and soon enough will be starring in pictures and a video or two! Gordon has promised pictures and maybe video of the Lady K and two 24"ers in service asap. I know he will as he wants to stay on the good side of his "Friendly Local Neighborhood Appliance Pimp..." LOL!!! RCD |
Post# 561776 , Reply# 50   12/7/2011 at 19:05 (4,495 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Post# 561777 , Reply# 51   12/7/2011 at 19:36 (4,495 days old) by washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i)   |   | |
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Hey Kevin, nice story, and what traysures!! Wish I could have joined in the fun, my folks live in Lodi, and I used to live in Auburn, so familiar territory for me. How's the Kenmore combo? Is it working? I'm still struggling to restore my '65 Lady K combo -- maybe I can entice you to come up to Redwood Country for a "Restoration Party?!"
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Post# 561811 , Reply# 52   12/7/2011 at 22:08 (4,495 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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~ Terry, it's a 220V electric model.
~ Ben, A+ for you! Yes THIS combo makes three! Weeeeeeeeee!
~ Todd, SO FAR it goes thru all the motions and SEEMS to work OK, but I'm still not done cleaning, testing, checking, etc.
Here is what the back side looks like..... (complete with the intact wiring/timer sequence diagram!) |
Post# 561819 , Reply# 53   12/7/2011 at 22:19 (4,495 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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When doing initial water testing yesterday, the lint filter continued to get clogged with debris. I couldn't tell for sure if it was shreds of paper or insulation... but after lifting the top, now I know! Obviously there was a rat (or mouse) infestation in the storage unit and they got inside here somehow. Hmm, but how? Must have been small rats!
Other then the shredded insulation, I have found no other "rodent damage".
I suspect something is still clogging something, somewhere, because it still doesn't drain very aggressively. In fact when I put the drain hose in the sink it doesn't drain at all. I have to put the drain hose down in a low bucket, then it will. |
Post# 561825 , Reply# 54   12/7/2011 at 22:26 (4,495 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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So THIS is what it looks like inside! Very cool and yes, VERY complicated! Wow! Different belts, a "shifter" to move a belt from one pulley to another, an air compressor, a blower for drying and all the hoses, wires, solenoids, etc. Wow! But also cool!
Question John L: Does the wash & rinse water enter the tub thru the blower housing??
Thanks again everyone! Kevin |
Post# 561884 , Reply# 55   12/8/2011 at 07:11 (4,495 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Hi Kevin, yes the fill water fills through the blower housing on both sides to help flush and keep this area clean. Overall your combo looks to be in really good shape, it also looks to have not been tampered with which is always a big plus. These machines were fairly reliable in there day and as you will see as you work on it, it is much better built than WPs separate washers and dryers. |
Post# 561922 , Reply# 56   12/8/2011 at 11:41 (4,494 days old) by turquoisedude (.)   |   | |
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Kevin, it looks like the critters that got in this combo didn't have the same taste for copper wiring the mice in Texas had! And you have the intact wiring diagram - bonus!! The operating condition of the machine sounds very promising, indeed!!
I will be curious to see what you use as a replacement for the chewed-up insulation on the drum. One day, I hope I will be at that stage with the 56 GE....
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Post# 561929 , Reply# 57   12/8/2011 at 12:18 (4,494 days old) by joefuss1984 (Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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Post# 561951 , Reply# 58   12/8/2011 at 13:49 (4,494 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 561964 , Reply# 60   12/8/2011 at 14:42 (4,494 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)   |   | |
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Excellent trip there Kevin, great to see you all having a grand time humping those mega washer dryers around the country!!
How does this dryer work?? you mention condenser, but what is the vent outlet at the back?? It looks a beast of a machine, wouldnt fancy luggin that around... Happy hunting, Mike |
Post# 561997 , Reply# 61   12/8/2011 at 18:18 (4,494 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Post# 562014 , Reply# 62   12/8/2011 at 20:13 (4,494 days old) by kenmoreman ( Southern NH)   |   | |
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I used to service these units. From the picture it appears that the o ring pump belt is loose. I would suggest replacing it. These units would not pump at all with a loose belt. Kenmoreman |
Post# 562175 , Reply# 63   12/9/2011 at 16:00 (4,493 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 562217 , Reply# 64   12/9/2011 at 19:58 (4,493 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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I love these little meets with members....greatest times ever....it's a MUST to join in the fun and participate when ever you can......
looks like loads of fun was had by all........ and a win-win-win for all involved on this escapade...... and what great machine finds.... you couldn't ask for a better weekend! |