FIRST WASH NORGE 20 LB
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rinso
Well-known member
Sigh! Yet another "They don't make'em like this anymore" machine.
Re: they don't make 'em like this anymore
Thank God they don't! My parents were Monkey Wards all the way, and had the 1968 Signature version of this machine but it wasn't a burpolator. Contrary to what many have stated here, it was the biggest lemon and made the most racket of any machine my mom owned before or since. My dad had the whole transmission apart due to failure barely a year after they bought it. There is still a ceramic floor tile in my mom's laundry room that has round black grooving in it about the size of a half dollar from where this machine literally was trying to work itself into the ground. After less than 7 years this thing made so much noise it sounded like an old turbo prop plane was flying right through the room. At my urging, it was replaced by a '75 Kenmore with "quiet pak" which worked silently and only required one belt and a filter replacement in its 25 years of service. To this day I can't understand the attraction to this vintage of Norge products, but more power to those who love them and enjoy repairing them, as I suspect they'll keep you busy. As for the partial drain, the Signature simply started spinning and expelling all of the water without any partial drain.
Thank God they don't! My parents were Monkey Wards all the way, and had the 1968 Signature version of this machine but it wasn't a burpolator. Contrary to what many have stated here, it was the biggest lemon and made the most racket of any machine my mom owned before or since. My dad had the whole transmission apart due to failure barely a year after they bought it. There is still a ceramic floor tile in my mom's laundry room that has round black grooving in it about the size of a half dollar from where this machine literally was trying to work itself into the ground. After less than 7 years this thing made so much noise it sounded like an old turbo prop plane was flying right through the room. At my urging, it was replaced by a '75 Kenmore with "quiet pak" which worked silently and only required one belt and a filter replacement in its 25 years of service. To this day I can't understand the attraction to this vintage of Norge products, but more power to those who love them and enjoy repairing them, as I suspect they'll keep you busy. As for the partial drain, the Signature simply started spinning and expelling all of the water without any partial drain.
bobbyderegis
Well-known member
Hi All!
I have a similar model Norge, thanks to the generosity of member gregm, who was thinning out his collection. I haven't hooked it up yet. Mine looks identical inside, without the bleach drawer. It has regular and delicate cycles, variable water level and three was temps. There is a piece missing from the top of the agitator right where the water spurts out onto the filter pan. I bet you would get a face full of water when you open the lid. I would love to replace the agitator. Does anyone have a serice manual to these models?
Bobby in Boston
I have a similar model Norge, thanks to the generosity of member gregm, who was thinning out his collection. I haven't hooked it up yet. Mine looks identical inside, without the bleach drawer. It has regular and delicate cycles, variable water level and three was temps. There is a piece missing from the top of the agitator right where the water spurts out onto the filter pan. I bet you would get a face full of water when you open the lid. I would love to replace the agitator. Does anyone have a serice manual to these models?
Bobby in Boston
First off, I think the machines are either from '82 or "83. Second, as far as noise goes I was expecting them to be very loud from what everyone has been saying. However, to my surprise the only loud thing about them is the tub brake. And the tub brake only goes off if you lift the lid or turn off the machine with the control timer when spinning. The noise level is comparable to my 1-18 and GE filter-flow. Also, the machine is very stable. I carefully leveled it, and even with an unbalanced load it does not shake or move across the floor but is solid like a rock. As for as longevity, it's at least 23 years old and still works perfectly--- I haven't had to do a thing to it. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it remains trouble free.
westytoploader
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 4,485
Great pictures, that agitator must really do well with a full load! I did play with an '85 Wards a couple of times, and thought it had great action, but have yet to find one of my own. I'm looking forward to playing with one more in Tucson, in about 3 weeks.
rinso
Well-known member
Mom had an 84 Wards, and I had an 86 Norge. The machines were mechanically identical, but the Wards had a much more stylish panel. My 86 Norge is still in the condo I sold in 89 and has only needed a timer replacement. I know the Wards is still working because mom sold it to her granson-in-law. And you are right, the Wards was/is so loud, it sounds like a boiler riveting factory. The 86 Norge, was somewhat quieter. My mom's matching Wards/Norge blowing dryer linted itself to death.
Re: Norge noise level:
The reason for the extreme noise level was the 3/4 hp. motor which was alot stronger than most machines of that time. But when I had My Montgomery Wards/Norge it wasn't that much noiser than any other washer, also, with the burpalator lint filter doing its thing (fftttt, fftttt). it's bound to be a little bit noiser, and with the tub brake that stoped the tub from spinning in an instant, it would be alot noiser in that respect. Thanks Danf.
The reason for the extreme noise level was the 3/4 hp. motor which was alot stronger than most machines of that time. But when I had My Montgomery Wards/Norge it wasn't that much noiser than any other washer, also, with the burpalator lint filter doing its thing (fftttt, fftttt). it's bound to be a little bit noiser, and with the tub brake that stoped the tub from spinning in an instant, it would be alot noiser in that respect. Thanks Danf.
I had a Norge Washer just like this one, model number LWA9120. I still have the sales brochures on it. This was by far THE BEST washer we ever had. It's wash was very forceful, but didn't ruin the clothes, and the spin was quite fast. Our clothes were so very clean with this machine. The noise was not a factor in my machine, I knew it had a more powerful motor than any other brand at the time, and it was that power that made it perform well. I am sorry I got rid of it instead of fixing it, because it was in brand new condition when the appliance dealer took it away for the new machine I bought. We had it for many years, got rid of it in the late 90's. The transmission had started to leak oil. By that time Maytag had taken over Norge, and for some reason had done away with the Norge brand name, and was marketing the machine under the Magic Chef name, with the same size tub, but agitator, but had done away with the burpolator. This newer model was very good too, but did not spin or perform as well as the Norge. I think this was my all time favorite automatic washer. It is nice to see there are other washer enthusiasts out there who appreciate the Norge designs. The differences in top loaders at that time is what made them so interesting to me, all the different agitators and cycles, and of course the different looks. I thought the Norge had a particularly great appearance, it was very sharp. It had pre programmed cycles based on the cycle button you pushed, but there was a button for EVERY combination you would have needed. Too bad today all we see are the boring dials and only a few.
