1961 Kenmore Combo Washer Dryer

[utjj99]

Does anyone have a Kenmore combo unit? I'm restoring mine and would like to see how it is suppose to work. I replaced all the air tubing lines and belts and so forth and it actually switches gears very nicely and washer nicely to. It is the top of the line with the enzyme wash feature. Only thing left to do is to get the dryer parts to work correctly.
Thanks

 

[appnut]

That enzyme soak feature means it was late 1969 or early 1970s model Lady Kenmore combo.

 

[trainguy]

How is the progress coming on the dryer part?

Rich

 

[mrb627]

Enzyme Soak?

What was the enzyme soak feature?

MRB

 

[westywashndry]

IT'S PRETTY COOL ACTUALLY!!!

The enzyme wash or Super wash as it was later called because of copyright is nothing more then when the washer first starts it will add soap from the first dispenser to a small amount of water and then will tumble the cloths in it for a few minutes. The theory is that the super concentrated soap will do a better job of lifting stains before it is diluted down by the rest of the soap and water for the normal wash cycle. It actually works pretty well for as much as I have used it. You can also us it to add borax to your wash and not have to mix it in with your detergent in the dispenser.

 

[mrb627]

The Father of the Catalyst

So, this was the Father to the Catalyst Cleaning Action we know today in the modern Kenmore/Whirlpool TL's. I wasn't aware it got its start way back in the day.

Learn something new everyday.

MRB

 

[appnut]

Yes there was a Super Wash cycle. But when they put Wrinkle Guard onto the Combos in the late 1960s, somehow the designers managed to incorporate the use of the Wrinkle Guard's ever 5-minute periodic tumbling into the new fnagled enzyme soak. I believe Gansky told me about this, or was it SteveD in Albany?

 

[bobofhollywood]

one that runs

Yup...I have this one which runs fine.

For over 20 years I've been working on or running Kenmore combo's and have owned a number of them, even installing them in some very challenging situations.

So..I should be able to answer just about any question pertaining to this machine.

Bob

 

[appnut]

Bob, that's an absolutely beautiful washer.

 

[bobofhollywood]

white door

It's the darndest thing, but the green door cannot be made NOT to leak...I really believe that the holes for the hinges are perforated in the wrong spot - just a tiny bit - but enough to cause the front door seal to leak no matter what~ but sure as I tried my spare door...it aligned perfectly and the door boot never leaked another drop - so - I can only conclude the part known as green door is a defective part!

Thank you Bob, for your kind comments. It is a beautiful washer - and it's a dryer too~

Hugs from Hollywood.

Bob

 

[veg-o-matic]

Behind the Green Door

Oh, what I wouldn't give for that machine...

veg

 

[Unimatic1140]

I like the two-tone look anyway Bob! Very vintage.

 

[neptunebob]

How much did Kenmore combos hold? I saw the drum when Robert took the Whirlpool apart and it looked bigger than a Duet. Can it hold 23 pairs of jeans (of, as Whirlpool says, of varying sizes)?

 

[gansky1]

Love it Bob - glad you have it up and running again!

 

[foraloysius]

Bob, that's a wonderful machine! I understand that they are rather complicated, so great that you worked so much on them and you were able to get it back to work. I hope this machine will serve you for many more years.

 

[appnut]

NeptuneBob, they held 9 to 10 lbs. for wash & dry.