Learning my ABC...

[turquoisedude]

And it sure seemed to look better after that!

 

Now, I didn't take any more pictures from here on in (I was hiding in the garage...LOL) but I still had that confounded leak.  Again referring to the 1960 Kelvy manual, the number 1 cause of a leak from the tub bottom was identified as a drainage issue...  It also suggested that perhaps the agitator boot was loose. 

 

I knew the pump was working well enough, but it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks that I was using a new style of drain hose (2nd photo) that is kinda narrow.  I swapped it for a larger diameter one and when I tried a full cycle test, I still observed some dripping but I also noticed that water was running out of the drain hose during agitation.  Why?  The agitator boot was not just loose, the blasted thing came off during the first wash test.  

 

Needless to say I was kicking myself for that!  With a little struggling, I got the boot on much more snugly AND I tightened it but good.  Two more cycle tests revealed no 'new' leaks and I was elated...  

 

I'm not going to get back down to Ogden until the Labor Day long weekend (damned washer convention in Beltsville...LOL) but when I do get back there, there is TON of laundry waiting for me and hopefully the ABC is going to pitch in.  Stay tuned!

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Persistence pays off!

 

[swestoyz]

Oh Paul, this is great news!  I've enjoyed this thread, and it may have re-kindled my appreciation for these pretty cool washers.  I haven't used my Kelvinator in over 5 years.  I should hook it up this fall.

 

Ben

 

[turquoisedude]

Hmmm....  creative plumbing in the Ogden Laundry...  Looks like a 'new' washer has made its way into the basement.

 

[turquoisedude]

Now where does this all lead to??

 

[turquoisedude]

If you guessed the ABC-O-Matic, full points!   Yes, it was high time I gave this washer a test-drive.   First, I did a brief test to ensure the water valve was still working and there were no immediate and obvious leaks.   

 

It passed the test with flying colours.  

 

[turquoisedude]

So, I figured I was finally ready for the 'Maiden Wash'!

 

And I didn't make this test easy for the ABC - the maiden wash load is made up of bunch of gardening clothes.  That pair of denim shorts is really dirty!

 

[turquoisedude]

It's not a complete cycle video (and full disclosure, I was remiss to film the splashing around because of the wood basement floor) but you get the idea!

 

 

[turquoisedude]

And here's proof that X-Centric washing action really does shake the dirt out!

 

For some reason, this reminded me of a detergent commercial where the neighbours were gossiping about how Mrs. X had 'the dirtiest wash water in town'.

 

But how did the clothes turn out?

 

Just fine, thank you!  I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the shorts turned out.  And I was also surprised at how well this machine spins - it came up to speed quickly, the wash water drained well and the clothes were damp dry.  Wahoo!!

 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

So am I done?

Well.... no.

 

I still have to get my sorry behind over the Vermont border to pick up... a window lid for the washer!  A huge thank you to Greg for that one!!

 

I know it wasn't 'original equipment' but I really want to add some lighting to that control panel.  It deserves it, don't ya think?

 

As for installation... well....  I did observe a couple of drips from the cursed damper plate area again.  I guess the weight of a good tub-load of clothes shifted the way the tub seats on the lower tub boot and I'll also guess that I'm not going to make this problem go away quickly or easily.  The lower tub shaft seal is probably what needs to be replaced - heaven knows if that can still be found.  In the meantime, I don't think the ABC is going to be a daily driver, alas.  I will make a point of picking up one of those washer spill trays next time I am stateside and near a Home Depot or Lowes (for some unknown reason, these are not available here in La Belle Province).  

 

This is too cool a machine to give up on and I will still play with it, not to worry.

 

And now I know my ABC, perhaps it's time to attack a GE...  LOL 

 

 

[a440]

Such a beautiful machine! Your hard work has paid off.

 

[ken]

Congratulations on saving a neat old washer most people would have scrapped. And yes I agree the control panel would benefit if it were lit up.  

 

[mopar65]

Yes

to the light! Grate job BTW!

 

[moparwash]

Great job getting it going and working through the hangups!...

 

[peteski50]

ABC!!

Paul this restore is absolutely Awsome. I cant wait until you get the window lid!
They should have made all of them with a window!

 

[turquoisedude]

No ABC is complete without a window lid....

Yep, that's what I thought, too...  LOL

 

Gansky1 (Greg) was kind enough to send this window lid my way but with the visitors and the big convention, I only got around to picking it up last Friday.   By Friday evening, it was installed.... 

 

[turquoisedude]

I shot a couple of videos, natch...  Here's one of the machine as it advances from Shampoo to Wash.   Lots o' suds and splash!!

 



 

I still am planning on adding some lighting to the control panel BUT that's on hold for a while - I'm undertaking a renovation project down in Ogden that will hopefully be completed before the winter. And it's collection-related, so I'll be posting about that as things progress.   

 

[toploader55]

WE WANT THE RINSE CYCLE.. WE WANT THE RINSE CYCLE ... WE WANT THE RINSE CYCLE...

LOLOLOL !!! MORE DRAMA...MORE DRAMA...

 

[peteski50]

ABC!!

Paul thank you for posting - the window makes all the difference. They all should have had windows. I also like the over flow and the splash away rinsing - so much fun and real clean washing!!