1983 Whirlpool BD washer... with a history!

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pulsator

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Jun 30, 2002
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Saint Joseph, MI
This was one of those spur of the moment grabs! It was free and I didn't even need to use a truck to get it home! All I needed was an appliance dolly as this machine was put on the curb next door! I have no clue if it works but I figured seeing as how little it took to get this machine, I might as well take the chance!

 

It just so happens that not only does it have the manuals still, but also the installation instructions, the warranty agreement, the original sales receipt, the delivery receipt, and a repair receipt! The machine was made in 1983 from what I can tell from the manual and was purchased as a floor model with the matching gas dryer in early 1985. In 1997 it had a problem spinning but when the repair guy came to fix it, it spun just fine. They paid $700 for the set and the repair bill was $29.95.

 

These pics are after the initial cleanup, so there's still quite a bit of work to do on it and tomorrow, I'll toss some hot sudsy water in and see if it'll drain and spin!

 

On a side note, these machines have been in the neighbor's garage since I met my boyfriend a little over 2 years at least and by the looks of them, they have been in the garage since around 2001, when the houses here were built.

 

I had kept an eye on them from the time my boyfriend first took me to see his house and I spotted them in the open garage at the neighbor's and for some reason they decided to put them on the curb tonight! Within 30 minutes, I had the washer in the garage!

 

Here's the first shot:

pulsator++6-24-2012-23-44-18.jpg
 
And saved from the gaping jaws of crusher hell, delivered verily by an angel of washing machine glory...

Congrats on the rescue. It looks very nice. I can't imagine throwing out a good functioning pair... but there you go.
 
If it works, you'll love that winged Super Surgilator. I purchased a similar machine in '85 to replace our 1960 Kenmore pair. The first big difference I noticed (besides the increased capacity) was...no more suds lock! Congrats on your new acquisition, and the ease with which it was saved!
 
Here are some videos!

Sadly, there is no agitator cap on at this point as someone tried to remove the agitator screw with a pair of pliers on the cap threads at some point... Does anyone have an extra I could have?

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"Why did Whirlpool stop making their washers with the wa

To me, it would just be a cost-factor--especially in light of the up-coming trend to make lint filters on most washers self-cleaning... (And that design looks hard to clean, as well!)

But that washer is a very nice find! And to think it was that close to you! Pretty full-featured (aside from the lack of a Warm Wash/Warm Rinse temperature setting, in my opinion) and maybe you might find an agitator cap w/ a fabric softener dispenser, too...

-- Dave
 
Two Pounds of Coffee if I can't Beat Your Best Deal!!!!

Ooh, forgot about OLLIE FREDDER!!!! (The sales invoice & literature showing where this mach. was purchased) --Now (for us Detroit-area Michiganders) THERE's History!!!!

-- Dave
 

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