Classic Kitchenaid Dishwasher drain solenoid question

[mattl]

I got this unit several years ago, it's been sitting in my garage.  Finally got it down the basement, it weights a lot!  Anyway I had played with it outside when I first got it, everything seemed to work.  However I have a spring hanging from the drain solenoid and I have no idea where it goes.

 

The big issue I have with this unit is it is a gravity drain.  I have a drain line installed for my "other" classic DW, a Whirlpool for the 80's , but it's too high for the KA.  I'm thinking of just running a line to my floor drain in my furnace closet, about the only option if I want to occasionally use the machine.

 

So, any idea where the spring goes???

 

[mattl]

Closer pict.

 

[combo52]

Lower Spring On An Early Gravity Drain KA DW

That lower spring hooks into a small hole in the top center of the lower " kick plate " this spring helps pull the solenoid open and allow the drain valve to open and allow the DW to drain.

 

[mattl]

Great, thanks!

 

[stevet]

Raise the machine!

Thanks, John for the info on the lower spring. I was about to say the same thing as I started reading the thread. Amazing how long this design was used not only for the domestic market but also for the commercial market. Over 30 years of UM machines in all sorts of kitchens, pantries, donut shops and other locations. My High School had a UM in the faculty kitchen but I never saw it.

As far as the gravity drain goes, can you raise the machine up so that the drain can match up with your existing drain? The smaller commercial UM machine could be had with the "legs" that are shown under the frame of your current machine. They are maybe 4 inches high and if you look, they were bolted on to the main frame of the machine upon which the tank was mounted. Needless to say, you cannot get them except off of a donor machine.
But, I have also seen where you can raise it by using the correct size "all-Thread" rods or long bolts and nuts to lock them into the holes of those small foot brackets.

If you can run it to a good floor drain like you said, that should do just fine. I would use a rubber Fernco elbow on the bottom of the drain valve so you can get a nice seal on it rather than trying to use some sort of slip nut setup.
It will be worth any effort you have to make to hook it up.
Hope some of this is helpful.

 

[mattl]

It is, thanks.  Raising it would be nice, but it goes under a standard counter top, so height is set.  I might be able to lower my drain line a bit and with a P trap it might work.  I like the idea of using a fernco fitting if I do the floor drain, I had not thought of that.

 

[frigidaireguy]

Gravity Drain

We had a KD-10 (One of the first) It was the stand alone model that was installed in the kitchen next to the washing machine. It had a gravity drain which was plumbed into the floor just like a sink would drain. It lasted from 1950 to 1969
and was used everyday.