Big brother / Little brother 200 series 1981/1982 Kenmores...almost twins!

[kenmoreguy64]

The 1981 Kenmore 200 series large capacity washer has been in my collection for about 18 months or so now, and it is featured in my photo album. This is a beautiful example of a real 1981 survivor. Having a painted top and lid, these models often badly rusted before their useful lives were over, at least on the east coast and other areas where a moist installation is common. This machine was located through an AW member in Salt Lake City who thought I would like it (he was CORRECT!).

The '81 model is a huge improvement over the 1980 200 series as the '80 did not have a selectable water level, so you got a 24-gallon fill regardless of load size. I think the '81 is also more attractive with the chromed knobs and the ebony insert on the left of the control panel.

While this machine was waiting to come home to stay, Andy / RedCarpetDrew, a great friend and the nicest guy you'll ever want to meet, called me one evening last fall with a cool find he knew I would like. He played his usual "Stump the Master" with the model number to see if I knew what it was (I did). I was jazzed that I'd have the big 1981 200, and its 1982 little cousin, the 24-inch clone version. We met in Auburn, California in early December, a gathering of myself, Andy, his wonderful wife Jacqui, and Kevin, which was documented here shortly after, with pics of me obtaining the "Little Buddy" Kenmore.

Well, the name Little Buddy has quickly given way to Gilligan, and the 29-inch may become Skipper, LOL. Dumb I know... I've also referred to the machines as Frick and Frack. Here are some pics. The first: Arriving home: Transportation via Ford![this post was last edited: 2/18/2012-13:33]

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Big bro posing

The 29-inch large capacity model

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Getting ready to be checked out

I have a few things to do on the 24-inch, as it had a leak when Andy checked it over, and the timer was not properly lined up with the markings on the bezel.

One of the 'stangs stands guard...

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The Skipper close up

Love this - can't say why, but I do...

 

[kenmoreguy64]

And Gilligan all unpacked

Love this one too - even better that it came from Andy.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The crew together for a pre-voyage pose

I love how these are so 'same' yet not.

The big machine has the short-lived plastic lid hinges, while the little has the much better metal hinges that Kenmore returned to in their 1983 line sometime in the second half of 1984.

The plastic hinges were used from 1980 to 1984 on low-end to the middle 70-series models. Two of the 1983 70s had them, two didn't. By fall 1984, they had all reverted to metal hinges. A blow for good taste, but I like how this machine has them and they aren't broken.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Money shot #1 - The Skipper

 

[pulltostart]

'A Three-Hour Cruise"

Gordon,

Nice pair!  I like the 'frick n'frack' label.  Question about the console - is the left side insert black or a dark woodgrain (we know that if it's woodgrain it makes them more expensive AND nicer).

 

Lawrence

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Now Gilligan

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Compare the 24-inch basket to the standard capacity 29-inch basket in my 1979 Kenmore 500. The difference is more noticeable than I sometimes realize.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Well, I ran the '81 through a dry run set of tests. I had done so at the warehouse but all still appears to be good.

I did the same on the '82 and found a rattling service panel (nothing unusual at all), and I freed-up some bound leveling legs. The machine is loaded with these little white styrofoam beads. I have no idea what those are, but they are everywhere, and annoying!

I found evidence of baseplate rust from the leak that Andy mentioned. Rust means it isn't a new leak. I opened up the machine, and effortlessly removed the tub ring, agitator, basket, etc. I love it when machines cooperate!

This is what greated me. The centerpost looks like it has lived on Detroit street for a winter, and that rust spot? "The poor dear" as Robert would say.

Joy...

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Closer-up of the rust spot

I started to examine the rust and it presented a pea-sized hole in the tub. Sheet!!!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Another view

 

[kenmoreguy64]

So, out comes the epoxy putty. I took a break to eat lunch, something I had to make myself do as I was about to revist the focused days in the 1990s when I would be in the garage buried in a washer or washers from morning to dark without noticing the passing of time.

Now it's time to head back out and pull the tub, and see what I get. I plan to patch that booger hole one way or the other!

Enjoy the pics - more to come later today I hope!

Gordon

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I was just talking about this stuff with Dave/Volvoguy87 the other day as I have had some good success with it in the past.

Please cross your fingers for Gilligan! I have laundry waiting for that machine!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Lawrence -

The inserts in the 1979 and later machines are Ebony black. This was to match/mimick the black panels in higher models. In the 70s these inserts were indeed woodgrained for models that so qualified. The lowest models just had a textured area of the same color plastic (these do too, its just covered by the insert).

Gordon

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice machines,Gordon!

 

[goatfarmer]

66 Whirlpool pics

Pics someone wanted. 2 speed.

 

[in2itdood]

Good work for a Saturday!

I can't wait to visit this Southern land of Kenmore delights. I'm betting that little Ford Ranger can make it to Michigan with about 4-6 machines and tools in the back. I'll have to get that spare room aired out and get vintage Kenmore prints hung on the walls.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Oh, Gordon!

Sorry about the little surprise waiting for you. I was hoping that she'd been easier for you to go thru. Out of the three I sent you, I hope this one's the only one to fight. The other two (a 29" & another 24") should be nicer to you. I can hardly wait to see the other 24" (an older but really minty one) and the 29"er (a Lady K) in operation! A suggestion for names for the 86 Lady and the older 24: Lady Marion and her handmaiden Agatha...

I'm glad I was able to find, rescue and adopt them out to you. I can't think of anyone else who could give the 82 24"er a better fighting chance to recover from a rusty hell! BTW, one of these days, I WILL 'stump the master' with a model number you won't instantly be able to recall every feature and option about. Actually, didn't the model number on one of the three throw you a little???

RCD

 

[pdub]

Very Cool Gordon

These machines look well preserved from the outside. Hope the rust hole seals easily with no more leaks and that is the only problem you find. Great Pics!

Patrick

 

[aldspinboy]

Wow Gordon nice machines the tubs looks brand new !

The 24 inch model with that tub cap with the edgeing was that the last of that particular tub cap ?

Like I told you before we had them in the three cycle panel same look.

That was one of the stongest pumps and agitation motors I ever had in a Kenmore washer !!!

Wish I had it back.

Best to you on the restore it is in good hands.

 

Darren k

 

[70series]

Gordon you have something special here for sure, so yes it was a good decision to grab these when you did. I always have loved the simple consoles of the lower end models. I had not realized that such a significant difference existed in the tub sizes between tubs in 24 inch std caps, and 29 inch ones. Thanks for posting the money shots for these two, as well as the one for Annie. I can never get enough of her.

Hopefully the center post issue will not become more of an issue than it appears, and that the epoxy does its job on the hole in time for laundry day.

Good luck,
James

 

[revvinkevin]

Congrats Gordon!

Yeah those are both pretty machines! I like how Frick & Frack are nearly identical twins!

Very neat! YAY!

Kevin

 

[lebron]

Wow

These Kenmores look great! I really like the large capacity model.

 

[stainfighter]

...A suggestion for names...

...wonder if you have a machine you'd dub 'The Professor'...another perhaps 'Thurston Howell The Third'...let's not forget the Dryers, "Ginger", "Mary Ann" and the loveable, though often flighty, "Mrs. Howell" lol :=)...
O.T. your yard/grass looks so lush and green for February...no winter here this year!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Some updates:

Hey there everyone - thanks for the replies and name suggestions. We'll see what happens. I don't usually name my stuff, but some machines have simply acquired names over the years one way or another. The first is my 1979 Kenmore 500, which my first buddy from AW, who lives very nearby affectionately named "Annie" back in 2008 and it has stuck like glue since...

I have a couple updates on the 81 & 82:

First, the 1982 24-inch is not well. That rust hole turned into about four holes, enough that the tub would never hold water for a wet test of the rest of the machine. The machine overall is pristine, so I figured it had very low miles. That could still be the case, but the centerpost and tub are pretty ugly. The tub fought me coming out, and I had to cut out the centerpost gasket, which was stuck to the centerpost. This didn't happen in the early 90s on these models, they were too new. Now they all seem to protest. About half the lip at the centerpost grommet is rusted away. The centerpost I thought was a disaster, but in reality it had a lot of mineral build-up and minor surface rust. I think the only way to deal with that is a coating of POR-15. I don't know where to buy that - looks like online on their website? Or, are there better more local alternatives?

I did get the mis-aligned timer corrected. Presently I have the tub cleaned, and a new center gasket installed with sealer, waiting for the epoxy. I am not going to do that until I POR the centerpost. I may have to install new centerpost and agitator shaft seals to better keep the centerpost dry. I feel good about the prognosis on this one, but the tub holes are going to be a challenge. They are in the wrong spot for a tub repair kit, in fact this is the only mounting hole that could pose a problem for the repair kit.

On to the large capacity machine. I LOVE THIS MACHINE, lol. I was tempted to take it apart like the '82 and see if I had any problems in brew, but I decided to just 'wing it' today and hook 'er up, see what happens. Throw caution to the wind, right? Well, the machine runs beautifully. Soothing belt-drive sound, operates very 'authoritatively' and seemingly with confidence. I did a test load to clean up the towels and rags that I used to clean both machines and do the work on the '82.

Since we are all so visual and love pics, I'll post a few here...

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The hole in the '82 has been dripping for a while!

I've had a couple baseplate pizzas before.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Tub close-up

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Overall the rest of the tub is in nice shape. Don't know how this part got so rotten.

The remaining residue in the tub is stuck on good - west coast minerals I think.