Meet the "New" Whirlpool SKU-70-0 dishwasher!

[turquoisedude]

Upon further inspection....

I only got around to inspecting the Whirlpool dishwasher more closely today.   First inspection of the tub and sump area was encouraging but there are a couple of potential  trouble spots...

 

[turquoisedude]

I gave the main components a gentle cleaning.  Bonus - when I tried to spin the motors for the wash and drain pumps, both moved smoothly.

I think we have proof that this is a 63 model!

 

[turquoisedude]

Neatest dishwasher junction box ever! Love the hex nut connectors. So, I hooked up a cord, latched the door and 'dialled' a Normal Cycle. Nothing happened... Then I jiggled the door handle and I heard the water solenoid start to buzz. At first, I held down the door handle and let the machine run; it did eventually 'fill' and the wash pump motor started! The door was not closing properly due to a bent mounting bracket blocking the door. Once bent back, the machine continued to run. And run. And run.... So it did eventually get to the 'dry' portion of the cycle (I selected the energy saver option...LOL) and the machine did cycle off. However, I never not once heard the drain pump kick in... After the timer shut off, I tried pressing the pressure pad switch in the tub sump and, even with the door open, the drain pump started! Now, I don't have a schematic for this machine, but I've got a feeling that pressure pad switch in conjunction with the timer will complete or break the circuit to the drain pump. I guess I've gotta get some water in there to know for sure... LOL Or take the front panel off to see if there's a wiring diagram or schematic in there. Perhaps later this week. But bottom line - this machine is not going to need a lot of immediate work other than cleaning that door switch. Wahoo!!

 

[combo52]

WP SKU-70 DW

WOW Paul it looks to be in great condition, I don't see anything much to be concerned about.

 

K model WP machines are 1963, you should also see a letter stamped on the Delco main wash motor followed by 63.

 

One thing I would do is skip the dry cycle, that is an 800 watt heater and its close to 55 YO plastic coated steel interior, if you are going to run it when you are not around turn off the dry just add a relay so the heater can only run when the main pump motor is energized.

 

I bet you are really getting excited about finally having clean dishes.

 

John L.

 

[bigalsf]

WOW!!

Congratulations Paul! That is such a cool dishwasher. I actually had the 1962 version (SJU-70) a long time ago when I was still living at home on Long Island; I actually found it in my neighborhood! Since I was still in high school I was not allowed to install it for daily use (darn!), but it worked really well and is a very powerful dishwasher.

The basic model is the FU-70 introduced in 1959/60. When you examine the wash system it's really a very early version of Whirlpools Point Voyager system (separate wash & drain pumps, wash pump horizontally mounted, filter system designed to direct all debris to drain pump), albeit not nearly as sophisticated. The wash pump was actually sourced from two different manufacturers (Gorman-Rupp & Stayright). Your's probably has the Stayright pump as those were phased in to production in the latter years of this model.

Regarding the single wash arm, only the top loading portables with a spray arm system had two wash arms. Not sure why, but with some ingenuity your's could be adapted to a two wash arm system.

I have service literature for this I will send you under separate cover, but I've included a couple of pics showing the model specs and an illustration of the wash system.

I am super happy for you!! Enjoy the machine, and definitely heed John's advice; install a relay for the heater so it only works when the main pump runs.

Have fun!!

 

[hippiedoll]

ALRIIIIIGHT!!

I am so happy for you that this lil whirlpool isn't going to need much work to be put into service.
WOOOO HOOOOO!!!

I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer...
D

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[turquoisedude]

Some further exploration and cleaning.... There was a good amount of gunk from 55+ years in service however the trim and paint on this dishwasher are exceptional!

I took the front panel apart to resolve the door switch issue; dusted it, and more or less managed to reassemble everything.

However, I managed to chip the timer dial when removing it. It's a small chip and I've already repaired it.

I gave the tub a wipe down and the rust spots that I noted when I first got this machine are bad enough to warrant some preventative action before I start using this. I'll do some sanding and sealing next week, I think. I am still itching to try this machine out; I have resisted the urge to remove the Maytag WU400 in the kitchen...for now.

But it's looking good... [this post was last edited: 1/22/2019-11:40]

 

[estesguy]

Vinyl on steel...

I wasn't aware of others doing vinyl on steel tub and door dishwashers but GE back then. Not one of the best examples of American engineering. Nice machine though[this post was last edited: 1/22/2019-13:39]

 

[Unimatic1140]

Ugh what a cool find Paul, I'm really glad you saved this beautiful dishwasher. My favorite part is the Whirlpool swirl logo on the dial! I have a '69 version of this machine installed in my basement workshop.

 

[turquoisedude]

Progress report on the SKU-70 dishwasher

Unlike me, I stepped back from the excitement of finding out the 63 Whirlpool dishwasher still works and thought for a moment (OK, maybe a fraction of one...) about what MIGHT need to tweaked/fixed/adjusted to prevent future disasters and moans and wails and howls of protest (from Hubby, not Canyon). The door switch was already resolved, so I thought the water valve would be the next component to check.

Although the solenoid coil works well, the valve just pees water when connected to a water supply. Not a big surprise that the diaphragm inside the valve is hard as a rock. I tried in vain to find a replacement diaphragm, but no luck. I'm going to dig around in my parts stash in Ogden this weekend because I think I have a working valve from a Mobile Maid; the 3/4 inch threads are stripped to hell on this so I couldn't use it as-is but perhaps the diaphragm may fit the original FSP valve. It's a gamble and plan B is to sub a more modern dishwasher solenoid valve.

 

[turquoisedude]

I spotted a few areas in the tub, in the filter/drain sump area in particular, where there has been some bubbling due to water infiltration under the plastisol. No comment...

Step 1 - clear off the damaged areas

 

[turquoisedude]

Step 2 - coat with POR-15. It was cold as hell with the basement windows open... LOL

 

[turquoisedude]

Step 3 - seal the repaired areas.

I got pure-dumb lucky here - I found a bottle of touch-up enamel for sinks and appliances called 'fawn beige'. It's not a perfect match, but it's very close!

Note to self - go back to the store in St-Hyacinthe where these were found and buy the rest. This beige would be a good match to the Mobile Maid plastisol interiors too.

 

[turquoisedude]

And while the tub was getting beautified, I decided to take out ALL the hoses as well as the circulating pump and drain pump. Yeah, I know - ME thinking of doing this... I recalled at how ticked off I was with the 61 Whirlpool that dripped where the rubber hoses to and from the pumps met up with the tub outlets. On reassembly, each joint was treated to a coat of high-heat RTV silicone.
I also gave the main motor a cleaning, just in case.
Better still, I got it all back together again! So with any luck, a first water test should be on the cards next week. After that, look out Maytag in St-Lib... LOL

 

[combo52]

1963 WP DW

Looks like great progress Paul, that inlet valve just uses a standard fast close valve diaphragm seal, you should keep these in stock, they fit most inlet valves from the mid 50s through the mid 70s when almost everything switched over to slow-close inlet valves [ this is why water hammer is never a problem any longer ]

 

John L.

 

[turquoisedude]

Test time!

It's been killing me to try a water test with my latest toy - today was the day!

I figured the washer 'leak tray' that I bought when I got to a US Home Depot the weekend I got the dishwasher was appropriate.

 

[turquoisedude]

I installed a new water valve and had to replace (unfortunately) the original copper supply line.  However, I used a bucket to fill the machine because I don't have a water line handy in the basement in St-Lib.

 

[turquoisedude]

The good news...

The circulating pump started up and ran beautifully.  You can really hear the water being moved around!

That foam is due to rinse agent leakage... honest!!

 

[turquoisedude]

The not-so-good news....

There was a wee accumulation of water in the drip pan.  However, I found the source quickly - the drip was coming from the drain pump housing.  I figured I may not have tightened the cover screws enough when I dismantled it and put it back together last week.   This seemed to help but more testing will required.  Hope to get back to this on Thursday!

 

[jetaction]

So glad I dialed in.......

What a fun thread Paul, nice work and congratulations!