My first restoration! ((--::

[Dick_S.]

Hi everyone!
Finally, after much much time and many, many mistakes I, ("Mr. No Mechanical Ability At All")have completely revamped this wonderful 56 Cycla Fabric Deluxe Kenmore. It runs beautifully including the suds saver and germicidal bulb so kindly contribuited by Rich.

Because I'm not a frequent "poster" and put in my "two cents worth" to the discussion group all that often I didn't feel I had the right to post questions and problems I encountered along the way. If I had I might have saved myself a lot of time and frustration. I mean the machine was completed, at least so I thought, only to discover a leaking problem and an outer tub that wouldn't budge off the platform after tub seals were removed so.....I tore it all apart again, took out the platform, outer tub and suspension rods and replaced all these things from another small tub machine only to discover that the suspesion rods were a different length. That's just one of the examples. Alas, the machine is running like a charm at this point and I have a wonderful feeling of added confidence at least when it comes to Kenmores. ((--::

I do have one question tho' that is really bugging me. The wash basket in the 56 is quite rigid and hard to rotate by hand, very unlike the rest of my Kenmores that move much more freely. I know this is not right and something is wrong. I sense that it is dragging when it goes into spin mode but it does reach full spin speed but not as fast as the others. I have already put spacers in at the support shafts (supposed to help with spin tube/bearing misalignment probs) with no relief to this matter. I'm just concerned with burning out the motor and tearing up the belt prematurely. I washed a load of heavy white towels yesterday and winced when it went into spin mode both times.

Sure would appreciate your comments.

Dick

 

[Unimatic1140]

Dick, that could be a lot of things, but it might be that the Brake/Clutch Basket Clutch Shaft is not adjusted properply...

see these two pages...

 

[panthera]

gosh, she is pretty

Dick,
You just ask any ol' question you feel like. I shoot my mouth off all the time here and nobody has swooned yet. Or been nasty.
Well, not *too* nasty.
I wish I could help you, but know next to nothing about these machines.
Somebody here will, I am sure of it - and if nobody does, well, tell you what - there are lots of Internet sites with good diagnostics you can follow. I'll be happy to send them on to you.
But its 10 to 1 there will be a few useful posts before the day is out.
Keven

 

[panthera]

See - I told you so!

There you have it - even while I was writing. And, best of all - right from the horse's mouth.
Er, that didn't sound quite right. Been too long since I spoke English.
Don't twitch that nose, Samantha - I meant no harm.

 

[customline]

Well, well.....

You did well for yourself Grasshopper. You're on to the next phase of washing machine restoration (and the Kenmore looks good too).

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice Washer!!!

 

[mixfinder]

Roll Over

Holy Sweet Jesus!
What an amazing shot! The machine is so cool and I love to watch white laundry drift up and roll over without a lot of suds. I am a sucker for a white load.
Kelly

 

[lightedcontrols]

I would also make sure...

that the bearings are not binding in any way. Drop the basket drive assy down a bit (yes that means remove all the bolts) and make sure the basket drive is moving freely. If it is then it's the adjustment as Robert suggested. If the bearings are not aligned properly, then they will need to be removed and reinstalled. Hope this helps. Mark

 

[rickr]

Congratulations on a job well done!!

Great job Dick! Glad you got this one finished. It just looks wonderful Roto-Swirling away. I just love the early Kenmores!

I am working on my 56 Kenmore also. It is torn down to pieces as we speak. Mine was hauled out of a junkyard,and had a leaky car battery sitting on the console for years. So it got an acid bath,along with sitting outside for years. So it is not in as good of condition as yours. LOL!!

 

[westytoploader]

Dick, beautiful Cycla-Fabric, you've done a great job restoring it and making it gleam again! Keep us posted!

 

[mayken4now]

Way to go Dick!

Steve

 

[tlee618]

Hi Dick, Sure looks like you did a beautiful job on that machine. I know that you will really enjoy using it. Terry

 

[fnelson487]

Sorry I Can't Answer The Techical Question (Yet!!)

Just wanted to post to say what a great machine (one of my favorites.) Thanks for putting in the effort to save a beautiful piece of appliance history. I get out to Palm Springs occasionally (was there in March) and would love to see it in person. Keep up the good work.

 

[agiflow]

Congratulations Dick,...that machine sure is a beauty, hope you get a lot of mileage out of the old girl.

 

[spinout]

Congrats... It's a beautiful machine!

Dick, on your comment/question about the spin tub: The basket should be quite stiff or difficult to turn by hand if the brake is in good condition and working properly. The brake will release as the yoke is lowered and the clutch is engaged. A minor adjustments to this clutch (as noted above in Unimatic1140's post) can make a big difference in spin spool up, so don't sweat it.

Joe

 

[appnut]

Dick, congratulations. I"m so very impressed. And now that I actually know you, the victory is even sweeter for me & my celebration of it. I got curious about what all was in your collection this morning and decided to trip down memory lane, it hd been a while. Of course, this was the very 1st posting and I wondered, wonder what happened to this Cycla-Fabric?

And from now on, don't hesitate to as questions, you're just as important here as everyone else.!!

 

[mixfinder]

Gone and Back

Dick,
What a smash hit home run. It is a great way to return and become established as one of the great Icons of this site. It has the loss to this group, to have you lurking and I am very glad you're back. I am really excited to be a part of the next great heist. Can't wait to run a load of dainties in the Cycla-Fabric.
adias and cudos,
Kelly

 

[Dick_S.]

Thanks to all of you for.....

....your nice comments and words of encouragement. Oh and to you Robert for being so quick on the draw and answering so quickly.
I went out and tipped the machine up and there is no nut on the bottom side of the yoke to adjust like in the picture you attached. There are only two washers where the nut should be.
When I went in to an appliance shop in town and ordered a new spin tube (like you suggested in your 57 resto)the guy said that he would have one of his employees put everything together and mount it on the trans. I thought to myself "how kind" of him. I picked it up and being as "wet behind the ears" about all the things to look for I just installed it. I then fought with the belt trying to get it on and when I did succeed at that, wondered why there was no tension adjustment. It only took me about a month to make the discovery that the basket drive pulley was designed for the 1/4 inch belt - NOT the regular 1/2 inch belt. It's been such a comedy of errors with this machine that I am amazed at how good it runs, if at all! It really does purr and is so quiet.((--::
For the last two weeks in periods of free time, I've untightened the mounting bolts in every conveiable sequence I can think and then turning the machine on in agitate mode trying to see if this is a misalignment problem. Nothing seems to help. I'm stymied at this point and have been tinkering with it all morning. Think I'll give it a rest and go see what the ever increasing klakaty klack noise in wash mode is in the 60.
Even with the setbacks and all the little problems I'm having a ball with my old machines and now that I'm learning to fix them myself-whatmore could I ask for? ((--::

PS Yes, I also love white loads and go to great lengths in getting them the whitest they can be. Also, anytime anyone is in me area and would like to see my little collection, please give a holler.

Dick

 

[gyrafoam]

Beautiful restoration job! Wonderful machine!