1974 Lady Kenmore Set

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jons1077

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Jun 25, 2014
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Vancouver, Washington, USA
So I inadvertently purchased myself a new project while innocently thumbing through local homes for sale on Redfin. I like looking at the older homes around here. A photo in one of the listings caught my eye immediately as it contained this beautiful white 1974 Lady Kenmore set. The home was built the same year and turned out to be owned by a single family up to this point. I decided to take a chance and contact the listing agent and make an offer to purchase these machines full-well knowing they’d be in the crusher otherwise. Needless to say, the agent was a bit baffled but entertained my offer and spoke with the sellers who ultimately agreed to sell the machines to me.

I managed to pick them up today and start doing some testing. Cosmetically, they’re in beautiful condition and absolutely rust-free. There was no evidence of staining or leaking on the floor beneath the washer. The agitator looked a little worn but nothing big.

Finally get them home and hooked up. Dryer heats up no problem. Yay! Washer, however...she’s got issues. I remember the lady at the house telling me about working with horses and I believe this machine unfortunately did as well. The transmission is shot! Sounds like and feels like the gears are stripped down to nubs. So a new transmission will have to be in the works I’m afraid.

The good news is everything else works perfectly! Dispensers do their thing. Timer stops at all the right spots and the pump and motor him along nicely. I don’t look forward to learning how to replace a transmission in this thing but it’ll be worth it. This is a beautiful set and I love them already.

Enjoy the photos and I look forward to the comments!

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1974-5 LKM W&D

Yay Jon, these are great performers, good save.

 

Sounds like we need to do another WP-KM BD washer restoration long weekend. You can visit and learn to rebuild the washer, I have 3 or 4 late WP-KM BD washers that need to be restored and or put back together in the shop now.

 

The dryers are a piece of cake to restore.

 

John L.
 
Congratulations! I have the same ‘74 models in harvest gold and mine were built in ‘75. The very last of the piano key Lady Kenmores. My washer also needs a gearcase rebuild as well as new water seals. Good luck with your rebuild on these great looking machines.
 
Congratulations, Jon!

Beautiful machines! Glad you saved them!
Best of luck with the repairs, and I hope you only love them more once they're 100%!

Barry
 
1974-5 LKM W&D

Yay Jon, these are great performers, good save.

 

Sounds like we need to do another WP-KM BD washer restoration long weekend. You can visit and learn to rebuild the washer, I have 3 or 4 late WP-KM BD washers that need to be restored and or put back together in the shop now.

 

The dryers are a piece of cake to restore.

 

John L.
 
I'll add my congratulations, Jon; it's a beautiful set. I love the timed dispensers, especially for bleach, when you want to let the enzymes in the detergent do their job before liquid chlorine bleach is injected into the wash water.

Here's wishing you a restoration that's as frustration-free as possible.
 
<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Having rebuilt many of those Kenmore/Whirlpool transmissions I'd say it's hard to imagine those heavy metal gears being stripped, but that was a long time ago and I suppose it is possible. Maybe she tried to wash a saddle or two? Rebuilding those machines is not difficult. Now, if something like the complex timer was shot, that may present a problem. They are so attractive, as long as they light up, I'd keep them and just go to the corner laundromat. </span>
 
CONGRATULATIONS!!

Are those the ones they call the GARAGE DOOR Kenmores, because you can close the control panel? Those look super cool!
Can't wait to read your progress.
WOOOO HOOOO!
:o)
 
Congrats! Wp-Kenmore are a PITA to work with tranny and seals wise, but once you'll be done it'll be a great satisfaction beside the satisfaction these machines offers in terms of performance.
You may also want to get your hands on other kinds of KM agitators, great ones are the vari flex you can prolong or shorten the fins.
 
KenmoreGuy89

I’ve yet to find any machine that wasn’t a pita when it comes to mechanical overhauls. Maytag maybe? But I’ve not yet had to crack one of those open. I do have my standard tub ‘70 800 model and various agitators and the Vari-Flex is definitely a good performer.

On the subject of repair, what is the best repair manual for these belt-drive Kenmores? I checked the online options on here but unsure which one would be the closest match to the ‘74 Lady.
 
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