1974 Kenmore “Green Beast” Rebuild

[jons1077]

Just starting to dive into this ‘74 Kenmore washer. The previous owner cited a faulty wigwag as the reason for pulling it from service and I really wish that was the case. The actual issue is a badly corroded center post that began leaking heavily. That got the belt wet and then things don’t work too well.

This is a very clean machine for the most part. What shocked me was opening up the top and finding a plastic outer tub! Of course I immediately sent some snapshots to John L. Apparently Whirlpool trialed plastic tubs for a bit only to go back to metal outer tubs again. Apparently that makes this machine a rare survivor of the first plastic tub models to be utilized.

I only hope I can figure out the center post dilemma because this is definitely a machine worth saving! More to come!

 

[cfz2882]

woah...

never saw one of those! can you tell what type of plastic it is?-looks like it might be nylon with fiberglass strands mixed in ?

 

[bradfordwhite]

I've seen a lot of WP built belt drive washer but never one with a plastic outer tub.

That plastic collar around the underside of the lid opening is also a first.

Yeah, the center post is BAD. May have to get a doner deck.
Maybe call Sears Parts and find out how much a new one is. LOL.

 

[repairguy]

That’s really cool Jon. I’ve been working on a 71 model for way too long. It has the plastic outer tub and the center post was rotten. It’s since been replaced with a schedule 80 stainless center post and I just need to put the machine back together. That is a great set you saved and I hope you are able to fix it.

 

[combo52]

Whirlpool belt drive washers with plastic outer tub

Whirlpool built a limited number of these machines in the early 70s they were considering switching to plastic outer tubs as they would be more durable than the steel tubs that often leaked or rusted.

The energy crisis of the 70s when oil got so expensive is the reason they cited for not continuing with this project it was much cheaper to make the steel outer tubs,

The plastic used in these early 70s machines appears very similar to what they used ultimately in the direct drive washer’s it is not fiberglass or pure nylon.

The plastic outer tubs and direct drive washers increase the durability of the machine and longevity of it considerably you almost never see a bad plastic outer tub.

John

 

[repairguy]

There would be a lot more belt drive machines around today had they ultimately gone to plastic outer tubs.

 

[jons1077]

Bad news…

Got the transmission out and, as suspected, lots of rust inside the center post. Hopefully my donor machine will have a slightly better one. The baseplate is beautifully clean so kind of sad this happened. Under normal circumstances, this machine would be trashed but I’ll get it fixed somehow.

To remove the plastic outer tub, I took a rubber mallet and taped the little plastic tips and that seemed to do the trick. I’ll cut the top lip of the tub seal and carefully remove the outer tub so I don’t damage it. This will be another transmission rebuild as water leaked into it.

 

[swestoyz]

Jon, how great that you stumbled upon a fabled plastic tub belt drive! I agree that this is absolutely worthy of restoration and finding a good donor center post snd base plate will be worth the effort.

Ben

 

[jons1077]

Center post

Yup! Definitely a bad center post! LOL I shined a light next to it and could see almost completed through it. The post was literally hanging on by a thread.

 

[snail]

Center post death

This is the reason I did not continue working on my kenmore "frog-eye" washer i bought from northwesty. I have everett steel nearby that has steel tubes of almost any size, got a welder and a lathe too so I should be able to fix it, and make new bushings for it, eventually, but I just need any working washer right now so the westy front loader with its bad rear bearing is getting fixed first.

 

[jons1077]

Tub removal

This is only my third Whirlpool belt drive to rebuild and think this tub was the hardest to remove. Unfortunately a hairline crack formed during this process but I should be able to repair it. I’ve contacted a local metal machining company to see about replacing the center post. If I can find the exact pipe for size and they can get it welded exactly perpendicular then it would be great to save this beautiful baseplate. I have yet to tear apart my 1970 800 washer. It may end up being a donor for the baseplate if it’s not too rusted.

 

[felix]

badly center post

here in brazil, we usually change this center post with the aid of a press. 95% of the time, we need to replace the center post.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Original baseplate

Hey there, John!

I am really sorry to read about the rotten center post on this beautiful machine. I had originally been thinking that this machine didn’t deserve the title of beast, but unfortunately, now it just might. Maybe we should call this the green beast two?

I noticed in one of your other pictures, and confirmed tonight, that this original base plate seems to have a large capacity style tub outlet hose. I noticed it also seems to have a couple subtle differences from a corresponding base plate that goes with a metal tub. This, unfortunately, may make some complications in parts interchangeability with a baseplate for metal tubs.

I wish you good luck in getting a new center post pressed into place!!

Gordon

 

[jons1077]

Felix

What pipe and pipe dimensions are used for your baseplates?

 

[jons1077]

Baseplate is out

…and we are off to the machine shop to see about getting a new stainless steel center post for this ol’ lady.

 

[repairguy]

I believe it’s worth it. I’ve had 3 made but haven’t put them back together so I’m not much help with information. One of them is a 1971 kenmore 70 with the plastic outer tub just like yours. I’m ashamed to say that one has probably been apart for 2 years now. Best of luck with yours.

 

[felix]

reply# 13

i don't know the dimensions. I bought these center posts in the standard size with the bearings at the washing machine parts store

 

[jons1077]

Finally!

After 9 months of waiting and two machine shops, I have a new center post for this machine! I never knew how hard it would be to find a shop willing to take this on but I’m very happy it’s done and can finally start the rebuild!

 

[pdub]

Incredible

That turned out exceptionally well. So glad you got it and can move forward.

Patrick

 

[harvestgold73]

Fantastic!

 

[DADoES]

 
Looks great!

 

[repairguy]

Looks great Jon. I’ve got three of these now and quite a few to go. Lol

 

[gansky1]

 

 

Looks beautiful, big hurdle to get over.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Good work going on with her & can't wait to see her done!

 

 

 

-- Dave

 

[swestoyz]

That's exciting, Jon! Hopefully the rest of the project is smooth sailing from here on out.

Ben

 

[christfr]

way cool best of luck to you . we know it will be awesome

 

[114jwh]

Congrats on this Jon - sounds like it was a bit of a journey to get this done but super happy to hear you were successful. With this new centerpost and plastic tub this is going to last a very very long time!

Curious in case I ever have to do this in the future, what did they use for the replacement centerpost and what were the dimensions if you don't mind sharing?

Congrats once again and can't wait to see the final product

 

[combo52]

New stainless steel center post

That looks great Jon hope reassembly goes well, is this your first stainless steel center post that you’ve put in a belt drive machine ?

John

 

[jons1077]

Not stainless

They only had steel so this post will get coated with POR-15 before water hits it. They based dimensions off of the pieces of original post as well as the insert that comes with the bearing replacement kits. The original posts are held by a crimped metal piece. This one was banded into place with a welder. They bored out the areas necessary for bearings and seals. Im used to making rusted posts work but this will be my first time with a new one.

 

[jons1077]

Finally making some progress

This has taken forever mostly due to waiting for the new center post to be done. Now we finally have some hotter weather and I had the time so I began rebuilding. The plastic tub is actually in really great shape. It’s not brittle at all and, with a little soap and water, was super easy to clean. I used some plastic weld to take care of the hairline cracks that happened while trying to remove the tub. I have new gaskets that I was able to install and seal.

I was able to reinstall the baseplate and prep the center post for a couple of coats of POR-15. Thankfully, this warm weather is perfect for painting because it is drying and curing very well. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to reinstall the outer tub and seal the grommet seal as well. I also had a new one of those.

The shroud is really cool. It’s funny how this machine has the plastic tub but the porcelain coated shroud. There was quite a bit of hard water buildup on it. A lot of scrubbing with Barkeepers Friend took care of that and it looks beautiful. I noticed a blue hue in the underside that’s really quite nice.

I had already rebuilt a transmission that was malfunctioning in my ‘75 Lady K. I purchased a new basket drive and spin tube assembly a while back. I noticed the pulley on it was small so it must have been for a portable. I borrowed the pulley from the original assembly and everything else is new. The wigwag and cam bars got wiped off and some new grease applied.

The new bearings and seals went into the new center post just fine. The machinist did a perfect job.

More to come tomorrow!