Here's a couple of project Kenmores!

[kenmoreguy64]

In another current thread is some mention of a few machines coming to Charlotte from Michigan (thanks Matt/Everythingold, by the way). I certainly didn't need them, but I fell for a 1965 Kenmore 800 set that Matt had, as I was afraid the crusher would get them. When he later found an Avocado 1976 Kenmore 60 series washer, I wanted it too. So, with Matt's patience, I had the machines hauled down here. Along for the ride was a Whirlpool set, the washer at least will make someone a nice daily driver one day before too long.

I'm going to focus on the '65 and '76 Kenmore washers for now. The '65 at first glance appeared to be a real piece of sheet, but under its dirty, abused exterior could be a real prize. The machine was partially dusted with road salt from not being tarped on the ride down here. Today I washed that off, and much to my surprise began to shine a real beaut. That agitator, as it arrived here, looked more like a geological soil sample than a bakelite Roto-Swirl, but under that mess is a Roto that has seen so little use that it still shines a deep glossy black. The machine sat outside for a very long time, FULL of water. You can see the water lines on the agitator. The wash basket is absolutely nasty, probably the dirtiest I've come across. The rust stains worry me that I'm going to find a swiss-cheese outer tub....

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here's the money shot, such as it is....

What a mess, but the scrubber cap with detergent cup turned out to be very nice!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I was surprised to find the machine being not as mechanically sad as it's appearance. I plugged it in after looking at the mechanicals carefully and immediately the console light came on. It idles and agitates near perfectly, however it won't spin. The basket is not locked, but I think the spin cam bar may be stuck. That stuff is fun to fix. Even the 'filtering' light works!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Check this out!

Look at the artwork on the agitator - I felt bad cleaning it off.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The machine cleaned up nicely, at least the exterior. I don't normally do that until after I've fixed a machine and it's ready to use, but with all that salt on it, I wanted it off, NOW. It came out pretty well and I think I can improve it some still.

A tell-tale sign that the machine hasn't been heavily used is the presence of all the un-peeled black trim on the bottom of the console.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

So, cross your fingers for me that the tub isn't a rust bucket. If not, I'll be testing the machine with water in it soon.

On to the '76. Remember this beast?

For reasons unknown to me, the 1976 and 1977 Kenmores with the black panels turn a 3D carmel color when they've been exposed to sun. The sunburst effect is from the flash and shows how reflective the finish gets as it ages. The woodgrain tops turn pink too, this one almost doesn't show any signs of having had a woodgrain pattern.

This one's been out in a good bit of weather, and the trip down here didn't offer any security to the remaining print lettering on the panel. Thanks to Kenny / Goatfarmer, I now have a very nice exact copy of the panel to install when the rest of the work is done.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Some of my washers get knick-names that seem to stick with them. I have a feeling this one is going to be known as the green beast.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The green beast cleaned up REALLY nicely. It has a stuck agitator (where is my Agitamer anyway?) and a locked up transmission, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and to getting into that with more detail. I have a lint filter for the machine from one of my scavenging trips years ago, its funny how that stuff proves useful at times later on. I'm hoping I enjoy working on this washer as much as I have already.

I'll keep you all posted on the two and their progress.

Gordon

 

[pdub]

Nice Machines!

Gordon,

As usual, congratulations!
These look like they'll be fun to bring back to life.

Patrick

 

[jons1077]

I love both of these!

Really nice finds. I remember growing up one of our neighbors had this exact machine probably from the same year in white. Even back then when the machine wasn't very old it had that red glare on the panel and it had not been outside. For some reason that's just the way they looked I guess.

The 65' brings me to wonder something though. I plugged in the 1970 Kenmore I just picked up today and the light's out. Where can you find appliance bulbs like those now? Aren't they a weird length or something to where they are harder to find now?

Thanks!

Jon

 

[70series]

Congrats on both washers Gordon! Wow that 800 is gorgeous, (aside of the mess), and so is the 1976 Model 60. I'm sure you will have both looking like new before long.

Good luck,
James

 

[goatfarmer]

Ya have your work cut out for you, Gordon, good luck!

kennyGF

 

[kenmoreguy64]

About console lights

Jon,

I am almost certain that my '65, your '70, and the '72 LK that I worked on last summer all use the same full-width bulb. The bulb in my '72 had shattered, and I thought like you, that a replacement would be difficult to find. Much to my surprise, FSP still distributes new ones, and the one I ordered was less than a month old when I got it. I was able to order mine from my parts supplier, but I found them on ebay as well, and thru Sears.

My '72 uses bulb 95292, as does the '65. I am betting that your model number is 110.700480x (x is for the engineering revision). If I'm right, your machine uses 95292 also, and they are plentiful. I found them on ebay for prices ranging from $9.95 plus shipping to $20.02 plus shipping. My parts company shows one in stock, so I'd bet you can get one locally! You may want to check the starter and be sure it's ok. It may be accessible from the console back.

About the glare on the '76 - you're right Jon, now that I think about it, one of my friend's moms in high school had one too, and hers had that funky glare as well. Their laundry room had a big window in it however. Fortunately, the replacement panel looks great.

Good luck with the bulb Jon!

 

[everythingold]

That is going to be a sharp set Gordon, and thank you for freeing up some room in my shop. For rust I swear by hydrofloric acid (not hydrochloric) it takes rust off instantly. if it won't take it off, it's not coming off. But it is not corrosive, and it doesn't hurt if you get it all over your hands, although you should avoid contact of course. It also take a thin layer off aluminum which can be a god send for trim restoration. I learned about it from an autobody tech. I would have sent you some, but I am almost out. I need to find a chemical dealer.

Can't wait to see the finished pair. Matt

 

[everythingold]

Goatfarmer,

Are you sending a new panel, or using stick on decals? I was told by two sign companies that they couldn't make decals for me because of copyright. Don't supposed GE would grant me permission for the Mon Top I'm restoring?? LOL Matt

 

[jons1077]

Gordon,

Thanks for that info! The guy I bought the washer from had the orginal parts list for it still. The model number is exactly right. 110.7004801 in tawny gold. The part number you gave for the bulb is actually the part number listed on the original parts list. WHEW! I'm assuming they are 28" length?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Jon,

Something tells me that the length of the bulb is 26". With the machine's overall width being 29", the console being about 28.5", then taking into account the bulb sockets, etc. 26" seems about right to me. If memory serves the length was on the box from the new bulb.

Matt,

The console Kenny sent is used and was pulled from a scrap machine at some point. A lot of people seem to have taken them off machines when they sent one to the trash, hoping they could re-use them later (which we did from time to time). I have a supply of about 10 or 15 myself, just not the one this machine needs.

Replacement overlay stickers were made by a non-Whirlpool company called A-Line for some time and I used a few myself to fix up ugly panels. One of those along with some 3M woodgrain vinyl adhesive could make an unusable panel look like new. The only difference was they didn't say "Kenmore" on them anywhere.

I would think that a mom and pop shop with a decent example of some artwork to copy and a computerized label printing system should be able to make something that will work for you, especially if manufacturer names are not reproduced.

 

[appnut]

Gordon, that 800 is the exact same model (along with the dryer) friends of mine had from brand new until 1992 or so. It did end up in storage off & on while they lived outside the country due to his work assignments. I had known them for years in Houston and were transferred up here when I did. But I dind't see their house until they moved to a Dallas suburb. The first time I walked in their back door I about had an orgasm, the wife had been complaining she wished her old washer would die, but it wouldn't. The pair were kept in very good shape for all their years. The timer on the washer went and that was enough of an excuse for her to get new oes. I kept trying to tell her a Shredmore wasn't as good as what she had. The matching dryer was a SoftHeat timed only dryer with air cycle too. It also had a variable signal. But did have Auto Perm Press Care on the top of the lint filter door. I was actually surprised that a dryer so high up in the line didn't have an auto dry cycle, but I guess for 1965, ... Needless to say I enjoyed the 4 or 5 times I visited them before they got the new ones.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Bob -

How's this for a 65 800 dryer?

I have two of these now. This one and the one that came with the washer. Oddly, the dryers are a little different. The one that came with the washer has the newer style fixed rear bulkhead design, a small plug door and an adjustable cycle signal.

This dryer has a full-width door, no cycle signal adjustment, and the older drum design with the belt-drive blower. This dryer shows almost no sign whatsoever of ever having been used. If it weren't for some lint in the screen, I'd say it hadn't been. If the washer turns out OK, I very well may match these up and use them, maybe as my daily drivers in the house. The dryer is gas, so I'm a little leary of it until I have it checked out by someone qualified. It is an absolute BEAUTY though and would be cool next to my washer.