|
Thread Number: 93014
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
1974 Kenmore “Green Beast” Rebuild |
[Down to Last] |  |
Post# 1176151 3/26/2023 at 17:06 (404 days old) by jons1077  (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
Just starting to dive into this ‘74 Kenmore washer. The previous owner cited a faulty wigwag as the reason for pulling it from service and I really wish that was the case. The actual issue is a badly corroded center post that began leaking heavily. That got the belt wet and then things don’t work too well.
This is a very clean machine for the most part. What shocked me was opening up the top and finding a plastic outer tub! Of course I immediately sent some snapshots to John L. Apparently Whirlpool trialed plastic tubs for a bit only to go back to metal outer tubs again. Apparently that makes this machine a rare survivor of the first plastic tub models to be utilized. I only hope I can figure out the center post dilemma because this is definitely a machine worth saving! More to come! | ||
|
| Post# 1176167 , Reply# 1 3/26/2023 at 18:16 (404 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD) | ||
|
woah... never saw one of those! can you tell what type of plastic it is?-looks like it might be nylon with fiberglass strands mixed in ? | ||
|
Post# 1176195 , Reply# 2 3/26/2023 at 21:28 (404 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 1176198 , Reply# 3 3/26/2023 at 22:29 (404 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
That’s really cool Jon. I’ve been working on a 71 model for way too long. It has the plastic outer tub and the center post was rotten. It’s since been replaced with a schedule 80 stainless center post and I just need to put the machine back together. That is a great set you saved and I hope you are able to fix it.
| ||
|
Post# 1176226 , Reply# 4 3/27/2023 at 07:34 (403 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
||
Whirlpool belt drive washers with plastic outer tub
Whirlpool built a limited number of these machines in the early 70s they were considering switching to plastic outer tubs as they would be more durable than the steel tubs that often leaked or rusted.
The energy crisis of the 70s when oil got so expensive is the reason they cited for not continuing with this project it was much cheaper to make the steel outer tubs, The plastic used in these early 70s machines appears very similar to what they used ultimately in the direct drive washer’s it is not fiberglass or pure nylon. The plastic outer tubs and direct drive washers increase the durability of the machine and longevity of it considerably you almost never see a bad plastic outer tub. John | ||
| Post# 1176232 , Reply# 5 3/27/2023 at 10:00 (403 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
|
| ||
|
Post# 1176280 , Reply# 6 3/27/2023 at 21:38 (403 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Bad news…
Got the transmission out and, as suspected, lots of rust inside the center post. Hopefully my donor machine will have a slightly better one. The baseplate is beautifully clean so kind of sad this happened. Under normal circumstances, this machine would be trashed but I’ll get it fixed somehow.
To remove the plastic outer tub, I took a rubber mallet and taped the little plastic tips and that seemed to do the trick. I’ll cut the top lip of the tub seal and carefully remove the outer tub so I don’t damage it. This will be another transmission rebuild as water leaked into it. | ||
|
Post# 1176281 , Reply# 7 3/27/2023 at 21:44 (403 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 1176283 , Reply# 8 3/27/2023 at 21:53 (403 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Center post
Yup! Definitely a bad center post! LOL I shined a light next to it and could see almost completed through it. The post was literally hanging on by a thread.
| ||
|
Post# 1176452 , Reply# 10 3/29/2023 at 14:52 (401 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Tub removal
This is only my third Whirlpool belt drive to rebuild and think this tub was the hardest to remove. Unfortunately a hairline crack formed during this process but I should be able to repair it. I’ve contacted a local metal machining company to see about replacing the center post. If I can find the exact pipe for size and they can get it welded exactly perpendicular then it would be great to save this beautiful baseplate. I have yet to tear apart my 1970 800 washer. It may end up being a donor for the baseplate if it’s not too rusted.
| ||
| Post# 1176467 , Reply# 11 3/29/2023 at 15:59 (401 days old) by felix (São Paulo - Brazil) | ||
badly center post
here in brazil, we usually change this center post with the aid of a press. 95% of the time, we need to replace the center post.
View Full Size
| ||
|
Post# 1176494 , Reply# 12 3/29/2023 at 20:35 (401 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC) |
||
Original baseplate
Hey there, John!
I am really sorry to read about the rotten center post on this beautiful machine. I had originally been thinking that this machine didn’t deserve the title of beast, but unfortunately, now it just might. Maybe we should call this the green beast two? I noticed in one of your other pictures, and confirmed tonight, that this original base plate seems to have a large capacity style tub outlet hose. I noticed it also seems to have a couple subtle differences from a corresponding base plate that goes with a metal tub. This, unfortunately, may make some complications in parts interchangeability with a baseplate for metal tubs. I wish you good luck in getting a new center post pressed into place!! Gordon | ||
|
Post# 1176539 , Reply# 13 3/30/2023 at 08:13 (400 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Felix | ||
|
Post# 1177023 , Reply# 14 4/3/2023 at 16:20 (396 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Baseplate is out
…and we are off to the machine shop to see about getting a new stainless steel center post for this ol’ lady.
| ||
| Post# 1177040 , Reply# 15 4/3/2023 at 18:16 (396 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 1177242 , Reply# 16 4/5/2023 at 18:22 (394 days old) by felix (São Paulo - Brazil) | ||
|
reply# 13 | ||
|
Post# 1199962 , Reply# 17 2/22/2024 at 19:15 by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Finally!
After 9 months of waiting and two machine shops, I have a new center post for this machine! I never knew how hard it would be to find a shop willing to take this on but I’m very happy it’s done and can finally start the rebuild!
View Full Size
| ||
|
Post# 1199966 , Reply# 18 2/22/2024 at 19:59 by pdub (Portland, Oregon) |
||
Incredible | ||
| Post# 1199967 , Reply# 19 2/22/2024 at 20:00 by harvestgold73 (40962) | ||
|
Fantastic! | ||
|
Post# 1199969 , Reply# 20 2/22/2024 at 20:26 by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 1199974 , Reply# 21 2/22/2024 at 23:13 by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
|
| ||
|
Post# 1199984 , Reply# 22 2/23/2024 at 07:14 by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 1199987 , Reply# 23 2/23/2024 at 07:29 by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI) |
||
 | ||
|
Post# 1199990 , Reply# 24 2/23/2024 at 08:20 by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 1200014 , Reply# 25 2/23/2024 at 15:30 by christfr (st louis mo) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 1200073 , Reply# 27 2/24/2024 at 13:50 by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
||
|
New stainless steel center post | ||
|
Post# 1200088 , Reply# 28 2/24/2024 at 17:19 by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
||
|
Not stainless
They only had steel so this post will get coated with POR-15 before water hits it. They based dimensions off of the pieces of original post as well as the insert that comes with the bearing replacement kits. The original posts are held by a crimped metal piece. This one was banded into place with a welder. They bored out the areas necessary for bearings and seals. Im used to making rusted posts work but this will be my first time with a new one.
| ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}