My New Kenmore Washer

[kenmoreguy64]

Harold -

That's an entry level 70-series machine, 1978 model, just as I thought.

Are you having fun with it?

Looks like it was made in the 24th week of 1978, so mid-June.

Let us know if you find a softener dispenser. I didn't see any on ebay right now.

Enjoy your washer!

Gordon

 

[harold]

Gordon!

If you or anyone else does have or to get a fabric softner dis. please let me know thru email, which I post it in early reply,.

Gordon, the machine does run fine. I like it better than my direct Maytag washer inside of the house. On the temp switch I did notice that the temp. is Cold/Cold Warm/Cold Hot/Warm. I can't believe the hot has a warm rinse!

It does have 4 water levels. It does have a prewash cycle, normal, permanent press, knits/delicate cycle.

This afternoon, I did hook up the washer using well water and a temp. drain pipe. Very soon I am going to have a washer hook up in that closet, and also another cold water line from my well, during the warm months I being washing clothes in well water not the city water. (The well water do not have any rust in it)!

The agitator is white

Gordon, Thank You for the information you give to me about the year and so on!

 

[harold]

2

.

 

[harold]

3

.

 

[harold]

4

.

 

[harold]

5

.

 

[appnut]

harold, that's the exact same washer (in features) we got for our vacation/2nd home--the washer & dryer were purchased in 1976, spring I do believe. (I ended up bringingt college laundry "home" one weekend to use the new machine. I personally wasn't too impressed with the penta-swirl agitation roll over compared to the super rotoswirl in the infamous 1970 Kenmore 800 that was in Houston at the time. In fact, I felt the set was something of a "come-down" compared to the 800 at home in Houston. (Ours were white). Friend of mine bought the same set, and in gold too, in Austin when they got married in 1978. The husband turned out to be one of the principal foundrs of Compaq Computer and I was sad to see they left these behind when they moved into their much LARGER house that came with new Maytags in 1985. Our matching dryer had electronic sensor and Wrinkle Guard II. My friends maching dryer, I think< had fabric master drying istead of electronic sensor and it also had Wrinkle Guard I. And regarding your comment about the Hot wash/Warm rinse, that was pretty standard until new energy standard ended up having most machines have only cold rinses. Only the 80 & 980 series still had warm rinses from Hot washes.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Bob -

A spring of '76 purchased machine would have been one of the first black-panel models. If the same features as this, then it would have been a 26701 (there was only one large tub 70 series that year). It was the same basic machine except the delicate cycle said 'KNIT - DELICATE' on the panel whereas the '78 read 'KNIT' (see pic) where most others said 'KNIT' and had a separate 'DELICATE' in separate cycle blocks ('77, '79, and '80 models). This didn't change the timer at all or the machine's overall function.

I don't believe that one can truly compare rollover between a Roto-Swirl and a Penta-Swirl, actually I don't think we can judgementally compare any standard tub washer to a large tub machine. The physics are simply not the same because this tub is not dimensionally proportionate to a standard tub, therefore the approach to agitation in it may not be the same either. This puts any large capacity machine at an automatic disadvantage in that comparison. There is considerably more height in the large basket vs. a small increase in width, so any agitator design has a much tougher job creating enough current to raise and lower clothes over a greater distance in a big tub. (I'm talking belt-drives here). The first agitators used by Kenmore were steroidal straight-vane designs, which were followed for a few years by giant Roto-Swirls. These gave way to the two Penta agitators, and finally the ultimate was the DA. I think a Surgilator or a Roto-swirl were probably developed enough for a standard tub machine, but the large tubs needed other considerations which resulted in the Dual-Action. I am not sure we'd have ever seen a cork-screw agitator if we had stayed with standard capacity machines as the market focus.

Still, knowing the challenges in a big-tub machine, I am more and more finding that I like my 1977 Penta-Swirl equipped washer. I am NOT advocating that it's better than others I have, but I like it. Clothes most definitely are not strewn all over creation in that washer, nor is there roll-over that resembles dolphins at Sea World, BUT, the agitator is more gentle, stuff doesn't go whipping around in the tub like it's getting tugged on from all sides, but it comes out clean. That nasty sock I had a few weeks ago was proof enough for me. I feel better that I haven't put too much wear and tear on my clothes in that machine. Roll over in it is not as dramatic as it would be if I transplanted a DA in there, but clothes do roll, and I think the gentle vanes don't over-beat them when they're in the 'wash zone'. I think Greg's old comment about "One lace doily too much and all action stops" is appropriate for the Penta-Swirl and is one reason why the DA came to be.

Some have said on here that they think the Penta-Vane is a better agitator than the Penta-Swirl, and if Sears' marketing is any indicator, they're probably right because the 'Vane went on after the 1981 redesign to be used for 5 more years whereas the 'Swirl was dropped.

Realizing that the 1970s were an evolutionary time for large capacity machines, I think the Penta-Swirl was a decent attempt.

Gordon

 

[harold]

Fabric Softner dispenser

Hi Guys,

I spend over 2 days searching for a fabric softner dispenser for my washer. I went on www.appliance-parts-warehouse.com and found the (CUP) Part# 357376 (Cover) Part# 357377

They do carry about of the major brands.

 

[mickeyd]

What an interesting, fun thread. Congrats, Harold on your ne

You've all got me thinking:

For a few years, the first Whirlpool large capacity machines came equipped with the standard Surgilator. While at maximum fill, the turnover is not of the "dolphins at Sea World variety" (LOL), but it is steady and effective nonetheless. And because the agitator itself is streamlined, compared to its enormous offspring, there is more room in the tub. In fact, after my Aunt Alice gave me her WP, she lamented the fact that her new GE could not take down her quilt.

Similarly, when I moved in here, the house came with the very machine Harold now has. When I looked at the agitator, I thought, as Bob did, are you kidding? Then I saw how effective it was, how much room it provided. Indeed, at the highest water level only the top of the Pentaswirl is visible, similar to Geoff's Gyrators in his conventionals.

In that regard, most conventional washers, or wringers and the Easy, have a large tub and a small agitator, relatively speaking; however, their effectiveness is legendary. Then, when these same agitators appeared in the first automatics with their much smaller tubs, the wash action was both dramatic and extreme--dolphinesque. ;-)

(I've forgotten exactly what the Pentavane looks like, but the image in my mind is of the agitator in Ross's Thor Semi which may very well have been the model for the Pentavane, adapted by Kenmore's engineers.)

Yours, for the greater love of all washers,

Mike

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Mike -

All you need do is ask! Here are a couple pics of Penta-Vanes, courtesy of ebay, lol. They look somewhat different, but that's the camera angle. They are dimensionally identical.

First one is the gold incarnation, which was offered from 1973 into 1981. This particular one has the softener dispenser extension on it.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here's a White Penta-Vane, without the extension.

This agitator was available from 1981 to 1986, and was used in 60 series and lower machines, as well as in the Toyota washers.

This agitator too was available with and without the white extension.

This version differs a bit from the gold Penta-Vane in that it has an air bleed hole in the skirt that the previous does not, and it also has lint-filter fins underneath for the basket mounted disk lint filters.

The gold agitator has recently become NLA at Sears, but stupidly, nobody has subbed the white version for it, which they still have. I would think that someone, if they wanted a new agitator for their machine badly enough, would accept a white one where the gold had been before, vs. not having one at all.

Gordon

 

[harold]

Fabric Softner dispenser

Hi Guys,

I got an email telling they cancel my order for my Fabric Softner dispenser. They do not have anyone, the search is still one to find one. Back to square one again.

 

[randycmaynard]

**** Gordon ***

The Penta-Swirl agitator like this machine has - would that work in my KM 600? Would love to find one of those if it would fit - one of my favorites of the KM agitators.

Thanks much!

 

[jaxsunst]

I noticed the "Push to Stop" on the panel. When did Kenmore stop using the pull-turn-push configuration? My old Kenmore had that, I had to leave it in a move and when i got my new set in 92 it was the current way. Took me a long time to get used to it.

 

[mickeyd]

"Mike - All you need do is ask." LOL. Don't en

Thanks, but the addled brain is stuck on the Thor Semi-automatic.

However, now with your pix, I'm seeing a sexavane on the Thor, realizing it has at least one more vane than the Pentavane.

We might want to admit that Harold's shot of the Penta swirl is one beautiful sight, so elegant and refined, no whacking paddles or edgy fins, giving no clue as to what it can do. Try yours at a low water level, and you may see--if not dolphins--then at least a a water nymph or two. Place your hand down in and feel the strong suction. Surprising.

Back to asking: somewhere is a video of a man exchanging the Thor's washtub for the diswasher tub--yes the Thor could do that--and during the transfer, we get a clear view of the agitator. I don't think that Ross (westyslantfront) has an extant pic of the Thor agi, but I could be mistaken.

Thanks again for the shots.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Randy -

The answer for your machine is a little complicated. Yes, physically the Penta-Swirl can fit, and one would fit easily in a later 60's 600, but mechanically it depends on your washer's configuration.

If you washer was made with a single notched agitator shaft that drives a metal agitator drive block, a Penta-Swirl and any other later plastic agitator can't be installed without installing a new transmission or re-equipping yours with a splined agitator shaft that accomodates later model plastic agitators. You can see Robert's restoration of the '57 Lady Kenmore for some photos of the two agitator shafts, how they differ, and why this is an issue.

IF your washer already has a splined shaft (this change happened in the mid-60s), then the drive block can be removed and other agitators installed.

One thing to consider if you ever do this - BD transmissions were beefed-up in 1964/65, and considerably. If you install an agitator that increases drag on a previous gearcase that wasn't meant to handle it (such as a large capacity agitator), you can prematurely wear the gear case.

Considering the unspoiled aspects of your washer, if it were mine I would not remove or add parts that may or may not permanently alter the machine.

Gordon

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Jackson -

The change from 'push to start' to 'pull to start' happened in the 1974/1976 time frame, and was gradual.

Most '74s were still push to start, however one or two timers were introduced that year with the new configuration, including the most common of all belt-drive timers ever, which ironically is in Harold's washer. As a couple more timers were developed, more models got this configuration.

When the '76 line came out which was almost entirely all-new machines, they all (I believe) had the pull to start configuration. Basically only 5 or 6 timers had to be developed for Kenmore, and these populated the belt-drives for the next 10 years.

Gordon

 

[jmm63]

Gordon... You're Amazing!! I always look with interest for any and all of the comments you make, your knowledge is amazing. How did you learn all of this stuff, let alone remember it!

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Jim -

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! I have been fascinated by all things Kenmore-washer since I was about 2. First, ours was all I needed, then when I discovered that most of our neighbors had them too, and none were just the same, I went nuts. We had a 63 '70, a 63 '800, and a 63 '800 LK within a lot or two of my house. Both my grandmothers had 1963/64 Whirlpools, and when we'd come to town, they both would save their laundry so I could be kept occupied. I didn't like their machines as well though because they didn't have a lid switch I could press to watch the spin. I knew enough even at 7 or 8 years old to be able to tell that there was more than a similarity in sound to Mom's and Grandma's washers, and that sparked my inquisitive nature.

I'd look at all the Sears catalogs, check them out in the stores (much to Mom's annoyance at times), and made mental notes everywhere I went when I saw a new or different Kenmore. I bought my own new Kenmores while in college, and that was quite a day for me, lol. I absorbed everything about every model on the floor before I made a choice.

Eventually I got into the repair of washers, and that exposed me to LOTS more machines and subtle nuiances. I had at least a couple washers like Harold's above, and I remembered that 'Knit' cycle, which I had never seen until I brought the first rebuildable washer like it home from the Sears dock. I bought a Whirlpool parts catalog in 1992 that lists every Kenmore belt-drive washer down the last detail in the model number, from 1975 to 1986. It also has drawings of most of the commonly used parts. I was highly fortunate to meet a neat guy when I bought my sister her first washer and dryer for her apartment after graduating college. He became my buddy and mentor and he shared with me the vast resources of leftover Kenmores that came off the Charlotte distribution dock.

So, adding together everything I remember as a kid, what I learned in doing my rebuilding (back when I actually SOLD what I rebuilt - something like 55 or 60 of them), what I have re-learned in 25 years of Sears catalogs that I have, and what I've seen and learned here, it's all gone into my head, and hopefully will stay there. I usually remember what I pay attention to, and this is certainly one of those topics!

The one thing I need to learn is how to write shorter posts!

Gordon