1963 Kenmore Comes Home to Knoxville!

[70series]

Awesome Money Shot:

The last time I saw a Kenmore interior like this was more than 31 years ago. My neighbor had a 1967 Model 600 with that same speckled tub, black straight vane agitator, and manual lint filter with the latch. When they moved in 1978 I did not see it again until years later when it was out on the curb, and then it was not fully assembled. This brings back memories all right. It does for quite a few people, as this 1963 was very popular. This served as the 600 model in Sears inventory until 1966 if I'm correct. 1964 and 1965 did not feature a 600. As much as I loved my neighbor's 600, I must say the 1963 model was the most beautiful of them during that time period.

Randy, if I haven't said it before, congrats on nabbing this beauty. Was this lady you bought it from the original owner? If so, hats off to her for maintaining it with such care. That agitator has a shine to it, as if it had seen sporadic use. Thank you for posting the pictures, and in advance for the videos. I can't wait.

Have a good one,
James

 

[randycmaynard]

James.....

I don't know if the lady I bought if from is the original owner but I still have her email and will send and see if she was the original owner or if she got it from someone. My guess is that she is not given that she is probably younger than me. Would be interesting to find out though.

 

[randycmaynard]

James.....

I don't know if the lady I bought if from is the original owner but I still have her email and will send and see if she was the original owner or if she got it from someone. My guess is that she is not the orignal owner - would be interesting to know though.

 

[randycmaynard]

OOOPS - Duplicate entry......

Sorry - had a duplicate entry there on the last.... was doing some editing on the post and forgot I had sent it already. Doesn't look like you can delete a comment.

 

[randycmaynard]

James here's the answer on the '63 600 question.....

James, Here's a little history on the washer from the young lady I bought the washer from:

It was given to me by a friend after my washer died last year. Her mother bought it new. Rarely used it. That’s a long story I’m sure you would prefer to pass on. Once she became too old to take care of herself she was moved in with her son. Her stuff (washer) went to storage. It’s been there for a long time. When I got it the hoses had dry rot. That’s the only thing I think we had to replace.

Based on the info above this is a near mint machine and one that I will keep in as near original condition as possible with limited use - like a classic/vintage car you have to run it from time to time but it won't be the work horse for laundry and the same will be true of the Westy space mates that are coming at the end of the month.

Lots of fun!

 

[revvinkevin]

I will keep it as original as possible... with limited use

These machines were made to be used, so why not use it? I'm not saying run 20 loads a week through it or anything like that, but I would use it weekly.

I have a 13 year old Frigidaire Gallery front load set in the house which has had 4 to 5 loads thru it each week since purchased new (approx 3000 loads total!).

They're great machines, but since I really got my collection going just over a year ago, I’ve been doing fewer and fewer loads in them, especially in the last 3 months or so. In the last month I've only run 2 or 3 loads in the FL set in the house! My other machines, while not nearly as water efficient as the FL, are much more fun to use and play with!

So do some preventative maintenance, belt, hoses, shaft seals (talk to Gordon about this), add some plumbing and electrical to your garage and have fun!
(I have 5 washers and 3 dryers hooked up in the garage and this doesn't include the FL set in the house!)

 

[randycmaynard]

Kevin,

What I was meaning by the comment was just what you said - it won't be the work horse - my GE frontloader and its dryer catch most of the work but the Kenmore will see a bit of use - I don't want to wear the machine out. Yes, some maintenance issues exist - will have to put a new belt on, get new hose and seal for the recirculation/filter (actually have a leak on the that but it's not bleeding water just drips. Will also need to consider the water intlet valves as well.

Overall, this machine is in excellent condition but yes, it will get some good use as will the Westy space mates coming at the end of the month.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Randy -

Just my advice, but I would not mess with the inlet valves (aka mixing valve) unless something is not working. The valves used in the early 60s do not directly sub to a replacement now, so I'd leave what's working well enough alone, in that area anyway.

On the filter hose, you're probably going to have to make one using your own parts, I believe this hose is NLA. An industrial hose supplier should have something of the right diameter. I am facing this myself with a 1961 Kenmore.

As to wearing the machine out - judging by the looks of the agitator, the machine has had very little use. I would not think you'd be risking wearing it out for some time to come, though if it were me, I'd run it using a replacement, more used agitator so I don't dull the shinny black surface.

Have fun!

Gordon

 

[randycmaynard]

Filter hose leak.....

It's actually leaking where the hose connects to the bottom of the outer tub and I'm guessing that there is a gasket there that may need to be replaced - many times you can make those if one is not available. The water inlet valves are fine at the moment - my concern there is that I had one stick open once and found half the house floating! I was working night shift a few years back and came home one morning threw some things in to wash before heading off to bed for the day not thinking that a valve could stick like it did so when my step-son got in from school he found half the house in water - what a mess that was! The machine was an early 90s Kenmore low
end machine - one water level - high - and the water temp was dependant on where you set the timer to start and this one had the dark blue tub and gray color agitator.

No really, really major issues though on the 600 just the pesky age related issues that you would expect from an old machine. Yes, it will be a lot of fun - already has been!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Randy -

Are you talking the lint filter hose? It connects on the lower end to the pump. There is a hose that feeds the pump for the filter, usually it connects to the side of the tub through a side-check valve.

As to mixing valves - Ever since we lived in Denver with 80+ PSI water pressure, I turn the water off when I'm done with laundry, even if just overnight. Our builder almost insisted we do that, and provided shower-type faucets that were easy to turn for this reason.

I found a bubble one time on an original fill-hose on my 1986 Kenmore, so I have become ever-skeptical since then.

G

 

[randycmaynard]

Lint filter hose....

If you lift the top of the machine and look down to the left side there is a hose connected to the outer tub and that's where the drip is - I was guessing it was part of the lint filter recirulation system guess it could be the drain for the tub rather than the lint filter system..... shows you how little I know at this point about the inner workings but, you live and learn - it's probably the drain connection.

Randy

 

[gyrafoam]

Randy, I am thinking you will be well advised to start searching the parts stores for a tub-to-pump hose----a very specialized item. Your mention of dry rot got me to thinking about it.

 

[randycmaynard]

Hose issues......

Yes, the young lady I bought this machine from had stated that the only thing they replaced when they got it was the water inlet hoses - nothing else was replaced so I dare say it's time to begin looking for some hoses and other parts as the ones on it will eventually fail.

We have an appliance parts store here in Knoxville called Brown Appliance Parts and they have been around longer than my 600! They are legendary in this area for having just about any appliance part for just about any appliance ever made. Usually if Brown doesn't have it in stock or know where/how to get one then it's probably never going to be found!

At any rate, will begin the search as these parts are becoming more scarce. Thanks much!

Randy

 

[70series]

Randy thanks for filling me in. It's always good to have some back story behind these treasures. I agree with Gordon that this washer has seen little use judging by the shiny veneer of the agitator. I hope you will use the washer with that agitator a few times, but also switch it out with other agitators to preserve the finish and compare the action. After all, that is part of the fun to be had right?

Have a good one,
James