Look what I found today!

[pdub]

It's a Whirlpool model AA-80
Manufacturers Number 541531
Serial Number 3833
Can anyone tell me anything about it?

 

[pdub]

Inside

perforated tub, silver metal agitator (aluminum?), and guess what....it works. agitates and spins as quiet as a maytag.

tub is off center but this happened after we laid it on it's side so I'm sure I can get it back right.

 

[pdub]

Button

for pop-up lid

 

[pdub]

Control Panel

center dial - timed fill - one cycle

 

[pdub]

Water temp control

It appears to be adjustable between hot and warm as it slides between the two settings. Not sure until I do a water test.

I don't know what the "Toggleswitch" does when you turn it on. Hmmmm..... I'll have to play with it and let you know.

 

[pdub]

Two magical words

Automatic Washer
It looks like a blank for a switch that would have been on a more feature rich model.

 

[pdub]

Underneath

Looks pretty good for a mchine as old as this one must be.

 

[pdub]

more...

The motor looks too clean to be original, and the belt must be a newer one because of the notches.

 

[pdub]

under the top cover

maybe it's an out of balance switch?

I got this machine today for free. No better price than that.

I'll post more pics after I get it cleaned up. If anyone can help me date this model, please let me know.

thanks, Patrick

 

[frontaloadotmy]

I don't know anything about it

But it sure is a cool looking machine. That's cool Patrick,
how did you come across this one? It certainly looks to be in
"good" condition.

 

[DADoES]

Wow! Notice the tranny has no braces. The gizmo in the 9th picture is a water level float -- this machine is before pressure switches for water level. I'm wondering if the toggle switch is a modification.

 

[peteski50]

Great Find!!

Great Find Patrick - I hope it can be brought back to life. I guess this is a 54 or 55 model but not sure.
Peter

 

[gyrafoam]

Yank open the top panel and put the snubber back in place----that will center the tub. Be sure and "rough up" the (flat side) snubber on a brick or rock so it will work better.

Pretty Whirly!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Patrick, that is just fabulous!!! I believe what you have there is a very early production 1956 model of the 1955 Whirlpool washer. You can tell it's a '56 by the Surgilator agitator, in '55 they used a Straight Vane agitator.

Is the agtator cap painted?? Here is lots more info for you, please keep us posted on your restoration and we would love to see some action shots ...

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?dir=/FUN/55_WHIRLPOOL

 

[westytoploader]

YAY!!!!

Congratulations Patrick on the Whirly, what a great find! The Northwestern contingent is raking in the gems, that's for sure!

I too am surprised at how good it looks underneath; didn't know this was a float-switch model either! And that probably is the original motor; my '55 Maytag has an Emerson motor that looks just like yours. On the ninth picture, it appears that the snubber pad has come off the tub ring and fallen off somewhere; if you can find the snubber pad, remove the snubber bracket off and reattach it. If you can't find it, email me and I'll dig around my parts stash for another one!

--Austin

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Patrick - that machine is awesome! So clean, and I'm glad to hear it works just fine! These early Whirlpools are such cool machines - and the first with the Surgliator! Enjoy your new find ~

Ben

 

[mayken4now]

What a wonderful find. Where did you find it?

You have a nice machine there Mr. Keep us posted.

Steve

 

[rickr]

OH!! great catch Patrick! I just love the WP/KM machines from the mid 1950's And they are great machines, that are tough enough to use as a "daily driver" if you want. Congratulations!

 

[appnut]

Patrick, beautiful and congratulations. The advertisement Robert posted (the cover) mentions suds saver. I wonder if the toggle switch is suds saver. Is there a Suds Return space on the timer? Otherwise, it could be a water saver switch for starting agitation for smaller loads rather than letting it fill up all the way.

 

[pdub]

Thanks Everyone...

Darrel - I owe this one to (Brian) Northwesty in Seattle who tipped me off. It was a craigslist ad that had no pictures and just said Free Vintage Appliances. The guy didn't return my calls for a week and so I assumed they were already gone. He called Saturday and so I went right over.

Glenn - I can't wait to get the top off and see what everything does. I think you're right about that being a float switch.

Steve (Gyrafoam) - Thanks for the tip about the snubber. I'll take more pics as I tear into it.

Robert - I agree, this machine is fabulous. The ad does say "most wanted by most women"!!! I can't wait to see what features this machine has compared to what the ad says. Thank you VERY MUCH for posting that ad. It tells me a lot.

Austin - Thanks for the parts offering. Should I need anything I'll let you know. The motor has a raised GE logo on the bottom of it. Funny! I noticed the water temp and wash speed switches on my Maytag say General Electric as well. Guess they didn't mind sourcing parts from each other back then.

Ben - I was thrilled to see the familiar Surgilator in the machine. I have always loved that design and think the newer design they replaced it with is ugly.

Steve (mayken*)- I owe it all to craigslist and Northwesty. It's great when members can help other members.

Rickr - Thanks. I can't wait to see if the lid release button lights up the way yours does. Doesn't yours even open the lid automatically when the cycle is through?

Bob - I am very interested in finding out what that switch does. I don't think it's a suds saver because there aren't 2 drain hoses. When I plugged it in and turned it on, it didn't seem to have any effect when toggled back and forth so I'll have to see where the wires lead to. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks All - More to come. Patrick

 

[christfr]

wow

oh patrick you lucky little so and so..that pool is a keeper for sure

 

[pdub]

Chris

I thought of the one you found last year when I saw this one. Lots of fun ahead.

 

[oldwasherguy]

pdub,I just love it and hope to see a video later.don

 

[sheerlookhomes]

NICE!

pdub - hi! It just looks in amazing condition underneath, congratulations!

 

[northwesty]

Glad the '56 found a home so quickly!

I too am amazed at what looks to be like-new condition underneath. Looking forward to more pictures of it up and running. The old man must have taken good care of his machines. Best of luck.

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Wow!
What a great looking machine.
It really looks like it is in such great shape!
Looks very rare!
Thanks for the pictures.
Brent

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations on a beautiful machine, a true treasure. I remember the float chamber on our waterfall front Kenmore. Dad said there was no float in the machine, so I had the service man show it to him. That is not a timed fill. What the word and markings mean is that the machine would fill only in the area marked FILL. That would be from 20 minutes of wash to 11 minutes of wash. It also meant that if you wanted to use the delicate setting, you had to fill the tub and then advance the timer because there was no FILL that far into the wash portion of the cycle. If you wanted a lower water level for any load, you filled it to the level you wanted and then moved the timer to the area beyond FILL (10 minutes or less time) and let it wash along with less water. I really like that modern pointer for the timer, all asymmetrical with that big long pointer extending so far over the skirt. Have fun!

 

[pdub]

Before Cleaning

What a job... First, let's remove that old cracked cord with a taped on ground wire and replace it with a nice sturdy 3 pronged cord.

 

[pdub]

Side view

with pump and belt service area door.

 

[pdub]

Rear view

not sure what the #555 means...