Is there any difference between a 1951 Kenmore Transmission and a 1981 one

[northwesty]

I have been looking at some videos and they sure look the same.

I am kicking myself for not parting out a few of the newer belt drives I have let go as they seem very similar and I could have got some parts off them as well as the experience of working on them. As it is I might go and get one just to practice on it as I don't want to mess up the really vintage ones I own.

Thanks for any input. Northwesty.

 

[maytag85]

The are the same but Whirlpool beefed them up in the mid 60’s according to John Lefever/Combo52 and improved some of the tolerances on the parts but otherwise are the same mechanically. Bought a good used transmission off of eBay for my ‘63 Whirlpool and I didn’t have to make any modifications to it when I installed it back in the machine and the reason why I had to end up replacing the transmission is the top of the agitator shaft got a little damaged when I tried removing the suck on agitator drive block and the original transmission is still good but will need a replacement agitator shaft if I ever want to use it again.

 

[yogitunes]

what year did they start using splined shafts for the drive block?

there was a time frame on the early machines that the top of the shaft was half-moon shaped for the drive block...

 

[jeff_adelphi]

The tabs where the pump attaches are different on the early transmissions.