My Blushing Ladies

Gather App
Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support AutomaticWasher.org:

D

Dick_S.

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2004
Messages
287
I've been working on this project since the latter part of August and arriving home yesterday from a trip to central California to pick up the washer has brought it all together.

I've got my work cut out for me but I've set my B-day which is in a couple of weeks as the deadline to have them washing and drying my button fly 50ls. ((--::

The cabinets are in fabulous condition considering they are 50 years old and the only 2 small knicks are in the bottom edges of the dryer where it must have been tilted forward at some point during transport from St. Louis.

It was a surprise to get the owners manuals to both machines and I just love the hair attachment that came with the dryer.

10-7-2007-21-22-45--Dick_S..jpg
 
The washer

is the one that will be needing the work as it is only a shell at this time, however the "heart" of the machine, the timer, water temp and level controls, sudsaver control, rinse temp control and lights are all in tact.

There is a crack in the plastic console panel under the water level control but I'm not going to be concerned over it.

I almost have all the parts gathered together to go at it.

I can't give enough thanks to all the members who have been so supportive and helpful to me in making this project into a reality, including Brian, Darrel, Patrick, John, Chris and George. Hope I haven't forgotten anyone.

10-7-2007-21-35-32--Dick_S..jpg
 
the rewiring

of the washer timer and controls is going to be my biggest fear and a major feat for me. One of the former owners pulled almost every wire off the machine......And I mean everywhere!

10-7-2007-21-39-40--Dick_S..jpg
 
the dryer

is just fine and all it needs is a 10 ft cord to connect to the 220 in the wash studio.

Brian, thanks for the gentle nudge in going after the dryer. You are right-it's nice to have a couple of matching sets. And I thank you for all your help and support.

10-7-2007-21-43-24--Dick_S..jpg
 
Oh, and for those of you who keep asking for tub shots

well, here's the one for this 57 LK. ((--:: As you might have noticed, another washer buff and I pulled the washer in to the studio so it could be photographed next to the dryer--that was done for all you members who need to see the machines side by side.

10-7-2007-21-47-6--Dick_S..jpg
 
Thanks Bob, and that is exactly what I'm doing with a very feisty Whirlpool with recirculating lint filer that I have. Guess I should have clarified that the parts I am gathering are pertinent to this 57 like shorter suspension rods, the 3 solenoid 5 temp water inlet valve, the tub light assembly, the old style snubber.

Thanks to Northwesty, I have the suspension rods-Darrel has so kindly loaned me a snubber so I can get the machine going while I'm looking for one.

I've got the suds valve (hopefully in working condition) from a wrecked 62 I found thrown into a flood control channel AND I also think the filter assembly from the 62 is usable, at least at this point.

I'm still searching for the tub light assmbley-I go nuts over having the tub illuminated and I think I've tracked down a 3 sol. water valve. ((--::

NOW, if I could just get a woking diagram or some directions as to how to rewire that god awful timer I'd be in wonderful shape.
 
Thanks Chris and thanks for even considering picking it up for me in St. Louis. My friend who luckily was visiting in Nashville at the time and picked it up said it was a bitch wrestling it up a narrow stairway from the basement of a 1920s bungalow. It's amazing that it got out here without a scratch or ding to the cabinet, other than the 2 small chips at the base edges of the front.

Coldspot 66-I thank you for your post and will keep you in mind, however, I got up this morning to an email that a water valve that will probably fit is in the mail. I will let you know how it turns out.

Ross, I am looking forward to your visit.
 
Hey Dick it is so awesome to see those two together they really do look great. I can't wait to see the washer put together. It is really a part of history to put together a matched set from different parts of the country, after 50 years.

Good luck with the hooking up wires to the timer, etc. I am guessing there are little letters by the connections on the timer that correspond to the color of wire that go to it. I wonder if the color wire code changed that much over the years. Is it like the 56 at all?

Take care
 
Brian-Yes, above all, to think back about the history of these machines. Whenever I run a machine I do admit to daydreaming and wondering what these machines went thru and experienced in their lifetimes before they reached me.

The dryer from St. Louis was obviously mated to a pink LK washer as the washer manual accompanied the dryer manual. The washer must have given out as is usually the rule and they kept the dryer.

As much as I know about the history of the washer - it was used as a cosmetic prop in a pink 50s kitchen and then given to the present owner, a yound married lady who used the cabinet to store bolts of material in.

I've checked out the 56 and all (90 percent) of the wires are white with no markings on them-just plain white wires going all over the place. Brains perceive the same picture differently and mine is just perplexed over this. I can't make heads or tails out of this mess.

I assume I need to buy new wiring and connector ends as all the wiring harnesses I could use from my other machines are threaded into plastic hubs that connect at one point or another.
 
Beautiful set Dick! Congratulations on bringing these two together. I am sure you can get the washer back together with a parts doner, and some some infomation on the wiring.
 
Hi Dick, congratulations!!! I love my '57 Ladies as, they are just beautiful.

Next time I'm in Palm Springs I will have to pay you a visit to see them, congratulations!
 
Hi Robert! Yes, they are beautiful and you are most welcome to visit and see them anytime. I'm hoping to have them washing and drying by the 22nd of this month. I will let you know of my progress. I am very happy to have them.
 
Congradulations! Dick on your find finally i get to say something to you,i told Robert that ive i did'nt run across this web site, i dont think i would have gotten thru cancer &kemo, and your collection i kept looking at when i was ill totally killed the pain kept one of your washers on the screen all the time as well as others many otheres and i will think them as i see these great group of peaple on the site. My aunt maggie had these units and she allowed me to WASH on my on. She had a lot of clothes i would wash all day, the tube lite looks good at night man the first vintage machine i washed in it was old then at that time around 1974 for me. I love Kenmo washers and your collection is great! i hope to visit and talk to u someday P.S. Id talked u up on modern. Thread#13720check it out, Qwestion was that model on modern was the last of the lighted control kenmores to your knowlege thanks. best Darren k I got thru with your enthusiasem for your machines & beauty of them!
 
Have you had any luck finding a new post for yours? I can't believe I broke it when I was there!!! :-)

You didn't break it silly!!! Yes Don has an extra '59 Kenmore up in his garage, I just need to find time to get up there and dismantle the machine for parts.
 
Darren-What a great post and yes I have to agree with you that this is one hell of a site. Thanks for your nice comments and I soon will find the time to update my profile and pictures to go with it as the present one is really out of date.
I'm not quite sure how to answer your question about the lighted control panels on Kenmores (which along with tub lights I go nuts over). I know my 68 and 2 early 70 Ks have full flourescent lights across the entire consoles. Any one of them at a time lights up the room. I know that Kenmores has some sort of light set ups on their consoles until the mid 80's maybe even later.

Tomorrow I have most of the day free and I'm attacking that wireless timer. Wish me luck. Then on Saturday I will be doing the transplant. ((--::

Laundry Shark-There will be a vid soon.

Veg-0-matic-I don't see any round headed shadow in the first pic. Now, if you should mean the second pix-that's my friend.
 
Hi Dick

Congrats on your BEAUTIFUL Lady Kenmore's! That set is on my dream list! Have fun with them!

Shane
 

Similar threads

swestoyz
A 20 year old dream turns into reality
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
appnut
appnut
G
dishomat dreams and ideas
2 3 4
Replies
94
Views
3K
maytaga806
M
A
Help me keep my Avocado Lady Kenmore going!
Replies
7
Views
240
combo52
combo52
P
Making a Frigidaire RS-35 range knob
Replies
7
Views
480
piglet
P
ryner1988
I think I'm using a 30-year-old washer as my daily driver now, and I'm a bit nervous...
Replies
15
Views
406
DADoES
DADoES

Latest posts

Sponsored
UnlistMe
Back
Top