1967 Kenmore 100 series washer comes home...finally

[swillis]

Does anyone have a spare agitator that would fit this washer

I found one of these on craigslist six months ago. Everything works perfectly but the old black bakelight agitator has worn and stripped at the top where it meets the bell spline. Whoever had it before must have used it with the cap not tightened down all the way and stripped it. I will take any agitator that has the hexagon type spline. Late sixties style standard capacity. Thanks for any help I can receive. If anyone has one let me know how much you want for it.

 

[pdub]

Gordon!

The washer is beautiful. At first glance if I didn't know it was the 24" model and it wasn't sitting next to a full sized machine I would think it was a newer cabinet because of how close the lid comes to the edges.

You are right, this machine is mint. It sounds perfect as it purrs along in the video too. Congratulations and enjoy!

Patrick

 

[aldspinboy]

Gordon ....

What a great washer ...!

One of my all time faverites you have the three cycle model that I told you about.

Has the same basket and Agi.

That is the one we had for 12 yrs and the strongest Kenmore ever.

I love this model control panel and size you just want to squeeze the little bugga.

Seems your happy with it ...

Sounds terrific !

 

Darren k

 

 

[70series]

I'm glad it has made its way home to you. Thanks for posting the video, and yes that olden goldie agitator (my favorite) is a paddle spanker. Kind of the antithesis to the gentle spanking cleanliness the Roto Flex agitator offered. Very nice indeed.

Have a good one,
James

 

[swestoyz]

What a SWEET washer Gordon. I'm with you on these west-coast washers, soooooo clean and rust free. Gotta love'em!

Ben

 

[mickeyd]

A perfect simple elegant beautiful competent dependable washing machine, with videoed proof that the 3 vane KM agitator can kick butt with the best of them, including the super Roto.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I was browsing my pictures a bit ago...

Here's the next step up, the 1967 200 series. As I said, this machine is in nowhere near the condition that the other is. It does have the bakelite 6-vane agitator. I should do a side by side comparison of the two washing, that would be FUN!

By the way, I did five loads of laundry in the little bugger this weekend. I can't say when I last did all my laundry in one washer, but that was part of what I decided would happen, even before I brought the machine home. I've been rotating machines so often lately, that who knows what will be installed there next weekend!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Here is the video that I took when I first got this little washer. A wonderfull little machine and quiet, too. this video shows spin and the bearings sound great for her age. I am really happy you like her, Gordon. Sorry, there isn't alot of that classic "woo woo" but still the soothing sounds of a happy belt drive.

 

That is so cool that you have the 200 series big brother to the little one (although not very surprising... LOL!). Maybe, someday, we can have a video of the two side by side doing wash?

 

RCD

 

[joefuss1984]

spray rinses

I love all of the short but frequent rinses during the spin.  I don't remember any machines doing this!

 

[cphifer5115]

Does this machine only have one water level?

 

[akronman]

rinses

Joe---that's a Whirlpool/Kenmore unique spray, four 7 second bursts for spray rinse, then an agitated deep rinse, then 2 more 7 second sprays during final spin. Whirlpool advertised 7 rinses from the 50's thru 70's and 80's. Zillions of WP/KM belt drive washers had it. For the dirtiest soapiest clothes, not enough rinses, but perfect for 85% of washes. Of course, it rinsed out some of the fabric softener in those last 2 sprays, but not much.

 

 

Question on both of the 60's KM shown above--------One speed?, or was speed contolled in the timer cycles?

 

[joefuss1984]

dying....just about...

I am dying to get my hands on a kenmore belt drive haha

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Akronman -

I always wondered how WP came up with 7 rinses. It must be how the early machines were set up, but all the Kenmores I've ever come across have done four spray rinses in the first spin, a deep rinse, then four more sprays in the final spin.

The KM I just brought home (the subject of this thread) is a single-speed machine. I didn't know that until Saturday in fact. The other, slightly fancier machine I am pretty sure is a two speed, but I would hate to say that for sure. I took that machine in on trade in 1991 on a 1977 Kenmore black panel 80 series machine, and have had it all this time.

Chris -

This machine has only one water level. I can't image really ever needing to lower the level, as it doesn't take much to fill it. I have found though in those five loads I did that I wanted to add water to it several times.

Gordon

 

[in2itdood]

What a cutie!

Ok Gordon ... I have to say ... that sure is one cute little gal. =) Glad she is home a doing what she does best.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I have a weekend update for this washer too:

Since I got this little beaut. home, I've run seven loads of laundry with it. I have to admit that the non-adjustable water level has taken some getting used to. I'd like the machine to hold about another gallon of water, and I may adjust the pressure switch accordingly as I think it has become a little off it's mark over the years, which seems to be a common problem.

But, that's not a big deal. During the seven loads, I came to notice a couple points that needed attention. First was this aftermarket drain hose that I really didn't like. It was one of those crush proof plastic things that looks like a vacuum hose. NOT FSP specification not for 1969 anyway. That hose was leaking a little at the joint with the drain elbow in the cabinet, which itself was not properly installed. When the washer would drain, especially when just becoming empty, the plastic drain elbow would rattle in the cabinet hole, making a decent amount of racket.

There was also a little drippage coming from the pump. It was during drain only, and sporadic, but it seemed that if the machine hadn't been used in a few days, the pump leaked more than it would in consecutive loads. I hated to do it, but I removed the 1969 dated pump and installed a new one, the second of two 350367 pumps I had used in an hour.

I also corrected the drain hose configuration, using an FSP rubber drain hose, and a new drain elbow. Oddly and amusingly, the original drain elbow was improperly installed in the wrong hole, and has been that way for 43 years.

The pump I used is a new but older stock FSP pump. It dripped a bit during wash drain also (the only other thing leaking could possibly be the pump to cabinet drain hose) but these often will seal right up after some warm water and use. We'll see as it didn't leak more during rinse drain, and I plan to use it some more when I get home tonight.

Wish the machine luck for me!

Gordon