alr2903 -
The tubs/baskets used in these machines are/were the same size as those used in all previous large capacity machines and were unchanged until 1981. Belt-drive Whirlpool and Kenmore non-portable models came in five basic tub capacities:
1) The 24-inch standard capacity. This was unchanged from the 50s to the 80s, with the exception of the centerpost design.
2) The 29-inch standard capacity from the 50s to early 1981.
3) The 29-inch standard tub late 1981-1987. This tub and basket are hardly noticeably different from the previous, but are 5/8 of an inch wider and have three rows of interrupted perfs on the bottom vs. the contiuous circle.
4) 196?-1981 large capacity - These were all the same dimensions, though the tub volume appeared to vary based on the color of the porcelain (blue speckle, beige speckle, or white) and the agitator installed.
5) 1981-early 1987 large capacity - This was the result of the same re-design that affected the original standard tubs. Prior to 1981, standard and large cap. machines utilized different baseplates and even different cabinets. The redesign allowed for the use of the same baseplate between both capacities, and in so doing, the standard tub had to be enlarged, while the large was made smaller by a bit. This tub is about 3/4 of an inch narrower than the previous big tub, and similarly shallower also. Tub capacity went from almost 3.0 cu. ft. with a DA agitator to 2.8. Believe it or not, I think the Penta-Vane and the DA are better suited to this tub size than the previous large capacity.
Gordon
