61 whirlpool washer, dryer unknown age

[61whirlpool]

Do any of you live near Syracuse NY, who might be willing to make a house call? I have an old faithful 1961 RCA Whirlpool washer LJA70PW00 just like you have in your museum (Robert-Brooklyn) and ??year RCA Wirlpool dryer LVI5701W1. Washer is leaking. Repairman was here and said it was a tub seal (tub in good condition) but he couldn't get the seal off so put some gunk around it. Didn't stop the leak. Does anyone have repair manual? Parts source? Info about the dryer, such as date? Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[DADoES]

Wow, would love to see a picture of your machines. I grew up with an LJA-3200.

 

[fixerman]

This subject was discussed at length in two previous threads entitled HELP-KENMORE EXPERTS. The Whirlpool and Kenmore are essentially the same.

 

[rickr]

1961 Whirlpool

Hey there! Whatever you do,don't give up on that machine! The 1961 WP models were VERY nice looking machines. There are a few members that own them,and they all LOVE them. I bought one on Ebay a couple years ago from Lancaster So.Carolina. Restored it,then traded a year or so later. It now lives in Massachusetts,so I guess it just likes the coastal states!!
They have a great looking lighted console. Very nice indeed.
Rick

 

[61whirlpool]

Everyone, thank you for the replies

Sorry, no pictures, I'm not that computer-literate.
I printed the Help-Kenmore Experts discussion and will show that to the repairman to see if he'll try again.
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not giving up yet, but may have to if I can't find someone to work on it.

 

[gyrafoam]

Hi! I can tell you your local Sears parts store should have that seal in stock---costs about $5.00. If the repairman was able to get at the seal then he was able to get the inner basket out---------------90 percent of the battle. My assesment of the repair books on this topic is that they are somewhat vague. PeterH was kind enough to lend me his "Repair Master" for Whirlpool/Kenmore and it is actually much more "in depth" than the book Sears has issued for repair. I can understand the difficulty in removing the seal. The one in my '59 Kenmore took about a half and hour of digging and picking with a screwdriver before I got it loose. This would also be time to deal with the dreaded "Tub to Pump" hose.I got the part number for the one on my Kenmore but have been unable to locate the part! Be careful not to damage the one you have untill you see if you can find the part, but I would change it out to save trouble later. It has a special "flange" on it and you have to take the innerbasket and outerbasket off to install it anyway! How are you doing on rust issues? I had lots of work to do on the center post of the outer tub, more than a few areas on the bottom of the outer tub. Also the platform the tubs sits on was a mess. Used a product called "POR-15" and it is wonderful! Go on line and you can call them for a dealer near you. E-mail me if I can help out more---I can talk you through it. That old Whirly is worth saving. Those were great machines. Best wishes, Steve

 

[61whirlpool]

gyrafoam, thank you!

I will let you and the others know how this turns out. The repairman did get the inner basket out. He had a special tool that unscrewed or loosened the center post. Can you tell by this vocab that I don't know anything about appliance repair? Clips holding the inner basket were rusted and one broke in the process, but he said the inner basket and the tub itself were rustless and in very good shape.

 

[rickr]

A 61' Whirlpool looks like this:

One shot

 

[rickr]

61'WP

And it looks like this

 

[peteski50]

61 whirlpool washer

Real cool washer - I remember I knew someone that had one of these babies when I was little. Real nice performance.
Peter

 

[rickr]

What up??

61 Whirlpool Dude, What ever happened with your fine machine??
Rick

 

[61whirlpool]

Hey Rick
I am temporizing. The gunk may have needed just a little more time to cure because now it leaks only a little. So I am using the machine as is. In the good weather months, I long-distance hike. In a little more than 2 weeks, I'll be back on the Appalachian Trail, hoping to finish up the last third over the spring and summer. When I get done, then I'll have more time to work on the plan for my 61 Whirlpool. Maybe I could work out something with you to bring you the machine and pay you to restore it???? Fort Wayne isn't THAT far from Syracuse...and I have friends there. Thanks so much for the followup!!!

 

[61whirlpool]

Hey Rick
I am temporizing. The gunk may have needed just a little more time to cure because now it leaks only a little. So I am using the machine as is. In the good weather months, I long-distance hike. In a little more than 2 weeks, I'll be back on the Appalachian Trail, hoping to finish up the last third over the spring and summer. When I get done, then I'll have more time to work on the plan for my 61 Whirlpool. Maybe I could work out something with you to bring you the machine and pay you to restore it???? Fort Wayne isn't THAT far from Syracuse...and I have friends there. Thanks so much for the followup!!!

 

[rickr]

Long Distance Overhaul

Hi! Seems like that would be a lot of trouble for you! However if that is what it takes,I could do it for you. Are you SURE nobody there can take care of it for you?

Rick