A wonderful load in my 60 Kenmore

[whitekingd]

After two years of waiting, I finally finished putting my 1960 Kenmore back together. I just did a "G" load (Delicate
Fabrics) in it and it works so great! Quiet as a mouse. I added some Power Punch automotive additive to the gearcase before I put it back together, and I swear it really did quiet the gear case down a little (not that it was noisy before). I replaced my lid hinge bearings and discovered I had two front hinges on it! That is the way it came to me. I put the proper rear hinge on it and now the lid doesn't hit the top anymore. WooHoo!! This, to me, is one of the GREATEST machines ever made. I love it. It is just like my Grandmother's machine that I grew up with. Thank You, Sears and
Whirlpool.

 

[sheerlookhomes]

Hi WHITEKINGD, your restoration sounds good (and quiet!) is there any chance of a pic?
Thanks in anticipation, sheerlookhomes, Denis.

 

[frigilux]

I don't know why, but the 1960 Alphabet Machine (model 70, maybe?) our next door neighbor had was quieter than our own 1960 Model 80 (all-pushbutton/rapid-advance timer).

You mentioned your Alphabet washer is "quiet as a mouse". I was always stumped as to why our neighbor's washer was noticeably quieter than our Model 80.

How much mechanical difference between the two machines could there possibly be?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

One vs. another in noise

Frigulux -

I have often wondered the same thing as to why one machine would be louder than another, but the two you're talking about are not mechanically very different, if at all. The quieter one may have had the thin, quiet-pak belt, which supposedly did make a difference. Sometimes, especially earlier machines, the self-cleaning lint filter would make some noises, and I have heard the off-balance buzzer relay cause a rattle sound.

In general though, I could have two identical machines, side by side, and one would be louder than the other. My only conclusion was that the motor bearings in one may be in better shape than the other. A motor can have a lot to do with a machine's personality in the sounds department.

Tightness of the belt can play a part in that too, as can the overall smoothness of operation in the transmission. The sleeve bearing/bushing in the basket drive pulley can be the source of some added noise, and I had the impeller shaft get loose on my own machine and it sounded like a playing card in bicycle spokes.

As a general rule though, a smaller room or wash closet will amplify noise vs. a larger room where it can get absorbed. Maybe that was part of the issue with the two old machines you're talking about?

 

[frigilux]

Both Kenmores were in basements, on cement floors. They also had somewhat different operating sounds. Our Model 80 had a certain rhythmic pattern during spins, for example.

 

[rickr]

The type of motor can make the washer sound much different.
My 65 Kenmore and the 56 Whirlpool sound much the same, and the both have the grey motor. (they have the woo woo type sound.)
The 56 Kenmore has the black motor with the cast iron ends, and it sound much different. And louder.
I cannot remember what company producted the black motor for sure, but it is not the same company the produced the grey motor. I have a spare of each motor up in the loft in the garage. Will try to see if I can find the manufacture of each motor.