1967 Kenmore 800 pair is now mine!

[kenmore71]

After a bit of drooling and coaxing, I convinced Don (Jetaction) to part with a lovely pair of 1966-67ish Kenmore 800s. Don helped me bring these to their new home (MINE) today. Here are a few initial pics.

The washer lit up:[this post was last edited: 11/14/2011-23:46]

 

[kenmore71]

Close-up of the "alphabet"

 

[kenmore71]

A slightly unusual feature: full override of the agitate and spin speeds.

 

[kenmore71]

The innagural load

 

[kenmore71]

cycle descriptions handily printed inside the lid

 

[kenmore71]

Dryer console

 

[cfz2882]

the sound...

nice vintage BD-i like the lighted panel.The classic BD sounds is one of the
highlights when i have one of my big BDs rotated into use.

 

[kenmore71]

Left side close-up

 

[kenmore71]

right side close-up

 

[kenmore71]

Inside of drum
Note the LARGE electric sensor!

 

[revvinkevin]

<div></div>
<div></div>
<div>Hey Mark, CONGRATULATIONS on bringing them home!   Those are BEAUTIFUL!  </div>
<div>When I saw that first pic i was instantly transported back to my local Sears store as I remember seeing that one (or a newer one like it) in action!   The one thing I really loved about Sears was all the washers in the appliance department had water in them, with the control panels lit, just waiting to start the machine to see it wash!</div>
<div>Kevin</div>

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Mark -

Those are really great machines, CONGRATULATIONS on getting them! LOVE that speed control switch - it is surely one of the more unusual features that Kenmore offered on only a few models.

Kevin talks about being taken back in time - for me it is seeing a black Roto-Swirl with a white detergent cup on top. Awesome!

Gordon

 

[kenmore71]

Fill-level question

Does anyone know how "full" these machines were designed to fill on "HI"?
This machine seems to be underfilling by about 1 or 2 inches from what I remember my mother's 1970 Kenmore 70 filling when it was set to "HI". The picture you see above is a rather large load set on "HI"

I know how to change the fill-level on the pressure switch and I will likely experiment with it in the near future.

How many gallons are supposed to comprise a full fill? Somehow I was under the impression that it was 18 gallons.

 

[lebron]

omg

wow lol these are such amazing machines !

 

[70series]

Congratulations on getting such a beautiful set. This is a bit of nostalgia for me, as my next door neighbors had this pair. The dryer vent faced toward my house and many is the time I could hear its soft whir. The only two differences between your set and my neighbor's were that the dryer had the same type knob as the washer, not the tactile one, and the detergent cup on the washer was a different color. Otherwise these are identical. Keep them going and have a great time with them.

Have a good one,
James

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Mark -

18 gallons is the standard fill on these machines until the late 70s or so when it changed to 17, as a way to tweak the numbers on the energy guide ratings.

I think full-fill shows up as about an inch and one quarter to 1.5 inches below the top rim of the basket, or just about one inch above the top line of holes, give or take.

The water does look a little bit low on the agitator.

Question - does the machine "burp" a lot of air when it starts to agitate? If so, that's a good thing, as it means the seals under the agitator are in good shape. But, that air displacement can take up a lot of water, so I always swish the agitator back and forth a few times to let the air come out while it's filling. Try that.

All that said, it does seem that pressure switches in these machines over time seem to allow for lower fill levels.

Gordon

 

[washerlover]

Hey Mark - I have the same set -- you'll love them! My washer seems to fill pretty high on the "hi" setting. The dryer is great and the electronic sensor is spot on. I had to work a bit to get the light working on the dryer console and replaced the original belt and she runs beautifully. Enjoy!

 

[combo52]

1967 KENMORE 800 PAIR

We also have a pair of these that are very low use machines, Jason and I completely serviced these earlier this year. [ white non suds-saver washer and electric dryer ] These need a home if some one wants to buy them, I can even change the cabinets if someone wants a Copper-Tone pair, as I just got a pair of 1967 KM 70s that are in very good condition.

 

These KM 800s are in very good condition they were only used till around 1972 and we have completely gone over them, new spin tube Double top seals added, new belts, water pump, new inlet valve, new check valve etc. We need to get 700.00 or 800.00 for this pair, if interested contact me.

 

[appnut]

Drool!!!! Congratulations

 

[bendixmark]

water levels

I have always found the water levels on these machines varies quite a bit either from the way they are set when new or they wander somewhat over time.The mid 60s kenmores always had a decent high level about 2 inches or so under the edge od the tub ring and then in 1969 or so they lowered it and I found myself adjusting these up.I also found these machines with the lower level had chewed up belts and loud motors but thats another discussion right John?Just in general I find the need to adjust alot of them up and some down.When adjusting the water level switch adjust one half screw turn at a time keeping in mind it has a range of adjustment you dont want to go beyond otherwise you have a flood(unless you have smartly installed a floor drain)

 

[MaytagA710]

Mark, congratulations on a beautiful find. They are fantastic looking machines. Alphabet washing! Enjoy them, they are very nice.

 

PS That sensor is HUGE.

 

[turquoisedude]

OOH! They are beautiful! How nice that they stayed together as a set... Congratulations!!

 

[laundryshark]

Video or Audio Demo?

Endlessly fascinated by the descriptions of your classic Kenmore. Would love to collect a video or audio demo for my Sears Kenmore and Whirlpool folder if you have the means to do that.--Laundry Shark

 

[appliancelou]

outstanding

hey mark what beautifull washer n dryer lots of luck with them n enjoy!!!!!

 

[davy1063]

Years of Production

How many years was this model made? This is the machine my parents had when I was a kid and I think I remember 1968 stamped on the transmission.

 

[circlew]

That set is very nice. My friend Glenna D. had the '67 Lady Kenmores in Coppertone.

 

[bendixmark]

Dryer Exhaust Grille

I noticed in the picture the exhaust grille on the dryer is clogged with lint you would do well to get a lint brush and ream the holes out and then pull the blower housing off to check for lint there also.

 

[70series]

There were 1968 800 models that were very similar. The one that has the same features as these has the Roto Flex agitator. There is another version of the 68 model that has the Vari-Flex, but IIRC on that one the smaller knob is a water level control, not a speed selector.

These are 1966 800 models actually which may have continued into 1967. Without looking at the stock number on this set here, which as you know is the best way to tell when these were built, an indicator would be whether the Super Roto Swirl agitator is plastic or bakelite. If it is bakelite, then these were built in 1966. If it is plastic, then these are 67 built. That was the only year the SRS was plastic and black.

Have a good one,
James

 

[kenmore71]

The model numbers are:
Washer 110.6614801
Dryer 110.6508923w00
I realize that that doesn't necessarily help with the EXACT date of manufacture, but I believe it does indicate that the washer was a 1966 model (may have produced longer) and the dryer is a 1965 model (again, may have been produced longer.
The agitator is black plastic, not bakelite.

 

[gansky1]

Congratulations, those really are pretty machines. I've always thought these panels were beautifully designed, so very sixties with the blue.