Early Whirlpool Automatic.

[waterwitch]

Now I admit, I'm a little nervous. This is my very first Early Automatic washer/dryer set. I'm ecstatic and have so many questions. Is there anyone here that is fluent in "Whirlpool"? Would this washer have a natural drain? Are the "uv light bulbs" for these impossible to find, or is there a good substitute? There isn't a load size on the washer, I'm assuming every load is a large load? Can someone describe the wash cycle to me, I noticed the dial only mentions "rinse" once.

I plugged both the washer and dryer in, and they do function. Both timers will need attention. I didn't notice them advancing. When the timers on these do advance, is it subtle like a minute timer, or will these click forward dramaticly like I've seen some do? The washer agitates, and spins (dry test). I noticed some squeaking during the spin, and the need for a new belt. The dryer, (dated 1952) functions, though I haven't hooked it up to gas. Other than the dryer also sounding like it too needs a new belt ran pretty smoothly. Both are complete, and ready for some good old fashioned TLC.

 

[combo52]

1952 Whirlpool W&D

Hi Anthony, WOW where did you find these ?

 

They appear to be in very good original condition, I have the same pair and started restoring them a number of years ago.

 

The gas dryer is complete and working, I still need to finish reassembling the washer. 

 

I have been a repair tech for many years and can answer any question you have about these machines, I also have many parts.

 

Email me a note if you like and I can answer questions, [email protected]

 

John L.

 

[golittlesport]

Wow!! Congratulations!!

What an awesome acquisition! And in California! (land of no basements)

I saw several sets of these growing up and I remember the washer has the basic belt drive cycle sequence -- wash, neutral drain, spin, spray rinses, deep rinse, neutral drain and final damp dry spin with some more spray rinses. These spin at about 500 rpm. It probably has a suds saver feature. You're right, one water level. For a lower fill, I think you can manually advance the timer until agitation begins.

The red bakelite agitator is rare and beautiful.

On the dryer I think that on/off switch on the front is for the gas pilot light.

They both should have UV bulbs.

 

[kd12]

Wow, congrats. That's a beautiful set. I really enjoy seeing these first-generation automatic machines from the '40s & '50s. Interesting to see what the engineers were thinking way back when.

 

[repairguy]

Congratulations on your acquisition of these rare machines.

 

[lesto]

It's rare to find one with a red backlit agitator. Simply beautiful. To answer your question about the washer timer, all the early Whirlpools advanced quickly with the "click" noise just as the Maytags a d animatic timers did of that era.

 

[waterwitch]

This set came from Los Angeles

Thank you everyone. John, this set came out from Los Angeles. All I saw was one corner of the washer and thought it seemed early, clicked on it and there it was. I was so excited. The post was just for the washer. While on my way there to look at it, the seller said he had the matching dryer too, and would I be interested in that as well? I said "maybe" (trying to play it cool... lol.

Once I got there I asked how they acquired it. They got it from a neighbor, that neighbor was the grandson of the original owner. Apparently she never wanted to get rid of them and just had them tucked away in a garage or something.

I was done for, and had to have them. I figured it was super rare to find a matching set in Southern California, not to mention these came pretty much from the original owner. I told the seller I had to take them both as a pair. The dryer is dated May 27th 1952 and I said these have been together for 69 years, I couldn't possibly split them up, ESPECIALLY on Valentine's Day! We all had a good laugh and I drove home just as tickled and giddy as can be.

I noticed the service manual is available here on the forum, I don't have a computer, would it be possible for me to pay the fee, and use my phone to send it to my printer and print it out that way?

I will be sending you an email John, I'm "airway...."

Oh gosh I cant wait to test these out!

 

[keith]

Amazing story

That’s a great story of how you acquired the set. Please, please post videos once the washer is working! I can’t wait to see it in action!