1950s Kenmore automatic washer

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Justin, welcome to aw.org. I also agree with previous posts saying the most likely culprit is the water pump being frozen up by old water scale.

There is a three part service manual to these Kenmore Machines available on Automatic Ephemera if you wish.

Kenmore Washer Service Manual Part 1
Kenmore Washer Service Manual Part 2
Kenmore Washer Service Manual Part 3

This is a 1957 Model, here is the Fall/Winter '57 Sears Catalog page with your washer, it was sold for $144.95 (which is $1282.74 in today's dollars)...

 

[justingray87]

I'm going to start tearing it apart next week. Should I start with the water pump then? I'll post pics before I start and as I progress. This will be my first project.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I believe that the 24" dryer to match this washer is in the Beltsville Museum. I remember when it was found.

 

[DADoES]

 
The KM above has no water temp control, the descriptions says "manual water temperature selection" ... meaning via the tap faucets.  Yours has a control for Warm, Med, Hot.

 

[bradross]

Ditto what Mike said about your wringers ...

Hello Justin,

Wow, what a response to both your membership here as well as your post! I must say - even though I'm mainly a "wringer man" - that Kenmore looks great! I'm sure you'll keep us posted on the restoration process. Fantastic that you have some fellow club members close-by in N.C.

I must say something, as I'm sure some other older members of the club will attest, it's great to see younger guys taking an interest in these old machines. They'll live on for another generation! Hopefully, the interest keeps getting passed down.

In a separate thread at some point, please post some pics of your wringer(s).

Have fun!

Brad

P.S. chucked at your comment about hating the weather in the Pacific Northwest. After 32 years here, I'm starting to feel the same!

 

[pulltostart]

Whirlpool counterpart

This advertisement appeared in the October 1956 issue of 'House+Home' magazine.  I assume that the ad is promoting 1957 appliances, and if so, here's Whirlpool's 24'inch washer and matching dryer.  These were being promoted to the builder market.

 

lawrence

 

[justingray87]

The motor still hums but I have the belt where I can turn it by hand. I have some wires hanging that appear to connect to a mystery part?

 

[justingray87]

[No message]

 

[yogitunes]

your missing the wigwag on the trasmission and a fill valve, which according to the temp selector might be a 3 solenoid version....

consider bringing this to DC for a workshop rebuild, I would love to see the rebuild of this unique machine......

is the filter cartridge missing too?

 

[justingray87]

I’m not sure about the filter cartridge. Would it be possible for me to buy these parts?

 

[washerlover]

I agree with Martin — looks like the wig-wag is missing. Not sure if a modern replacement would work...

 

[DADoES]

 
The wigwag is definitely missing, the plungers are sitting askew with nothing to anchor them from above.  A new-style wigwag will work but the plungers will also have to be changed to the newer style.

There's no way for it to shift into (or out of) agitate or spin (other than by someone manually moving the cam bars) without the wigwag (aka control magnet assembly).

 

[ovrphil]

Last in line

Welcome, Justin! I hope you enjoy the stay and get your machine(s) working as you like.

Phil