Got this Whirlpool Dryer - What year is it?

[ken]

So I saw a CL ad yesterday for an older Hotpoint and this Whirlpool. Went and picked it up last night. It was only 15 minutes away and for $30.00 I figured not bad. Was being used up until it was advertised.

So Im curious to year and thought some one here might know better than Ive been able to determine. Model #LHE5800N0, Serial #M93911809. According to date info I found the 9 in the serial # is the year code. And it was used to designate both 1979 and 1989. 39 in serial # equates to 39th week of the year. That would put production in September. According to the H in the model # this model was introduced in 80-81. So if correct that would mean it couldn't be a 79. From some old ads I've seen by the mid-late 80s the console was all black.

So which is it? Figured some one here who is familiar with WP products might know just from appearance. Unless they didn't change much during that 10 year span.

 

[LaVidaBoem]

Yes, black console in the 80's

It was from the late 70's style...

Unless some one did some console change.

I bought my mother a set Circa 86, and the washer was already that black/swirl with orange highlights around the timer, mostly white numerals/letters.

Whirlpool Marks had that type console in the 70's.

LaVidaBoem

 

[gansky1]

79 is probably correct.

Here is a builder catalog from Whirlpool, 1980

1980 Whirlpool Builders Catalog

1980 Whirlpool Builders Catalog

www.automatice.org

 

[vacman1961]

According to Service Matters, they say it was built September 25, 1989. I don't know, the machine looks older than that? Open the control panel and look at the date codes on the switches or the timer.

 

[arris]

Nice

Looks like the one my parents bought around 79 or 80 to replace their 40,000 btu 65 Soft Heat Kenmore. Only thing I did not like about it was that it was not as quiet as the Kenmore. I remember as kid thinking the Kenmore was not running, until I got close to it, We always knew when the WP was running.... was a great dryer though, we sold it with the house a few years ago still running as far as I know. Good luck with it..............

 

[delaneymeegan]

Great find Ken. We were saying about our growing collections.... lol.

I picked up one yesterday, and will be picking up hopefully 3 today.

That is definitely 79 or shortly there after. By 89, the smaller profile consoles were being used with the direct drive models, and thus the dryers were matching that.

How is it going with the 1962 Whirlpool?

 

[ken]

Thanks for the info guys. I plan on giving it some attention and get a roller/belt/idler kit for it. Is there anything else that others replace on WP dryers as a matter of course when giving one some maintenance? Maybe rear drum seal or front drum bearing ring? Or only if original shows obvious signs of wear?

delaneymeegan:
Ive been busy with other things and haven't had time to play further with the 62 WP washer. But its on my list. I haven't been able to get the outer tub loose from the tube. Donut seal must be well stuck to the tube.

 

[delaneymeegan]

The washer gods will shine on you favorably for saving the 1962.

Finding a standard capacity white whirlpool belt-drive host machine, is about the only option, IMHO.
Pop the top off the donor and put on the 1962 top. Maybe switch out the agitator. You'll basically have the same machine, hopefully only to restore the top.

Keep us informed.

 

[appliguy]

It is not a 1979 model Gansky

The 1979 model was the LFI series and the cycle markings were still on the dial skirt not on the control panel in 1979. This model is from 1980 or 1981 because in 1982 the put a ring around the Whirlpool name and also used orange and black trim on the control panels…PATRICK COFFEY

 

[DADoES]

 
LHE is 1980-81 model year.

M939 is 1979 39th week manufacture date.

Nothing is off-kilter about any of that.  It surely could have been manufactured in September 1979 for introduction as a 1980 model.

 

[gansky1]

Thanks Glenn.

 

[kb0nes]

Looks pretty close to being a match for my washer (which I think is an 81)

 

[ken]

That's a clean looking machine Phil. It does look like a match. I'll post a better picture of the dryer over the weekend.

Im certainly no expert on Whirlpool but I was surprised to see it has the drop down door considering its a standard capacity. From pictures Ive seen I got the impression that was a feature of the super capacity models.

 

[delaneymeegan]

Ken, my Dad bought my Mother a 1976 Whirlpool Imperial set (with Sudsaver). They were both standard capacity and the dryer had a full width, drop down door.

I've had Kenmore super capacity dryers with the standard, small drop down door.

Phil, I agree, that is a great looking machine. Clean and good styling. I like that it has Soak cycle, too.

 

[kb0nes]

I like that it has Soak cycle, too.

And note at the 12-oClock position, its a Suds saver model too

 

[DADoES]

 
The dryer of topic is a model 5800.  The hamper door is a step-up feature from the 5700, and it should have thermostatic autodry and end-of-cycle buzzer.  Both were standard capacity.  The comparable LHA5700 washer was standard capacity but the LHA5800 washer was 18lb which makes the 5800 dryer a not-match to it on capacity.

 

[appnut]

And it seems to me WP sold a lot of those not-match capacity pairs more than Sears did. 

 

[delaneymeegan]

sudsaver love


"....at the 12-oClock position, its a Suds saver model too " 
 

 

I saw an early 90s TOL, 2 speed Maytag, with a sudsaver,  yesterday.

.... and a Kitchenaid (Whirlpool) dryer with a window in the door.

It's like they had my name on them.