My New Kenmore Washer

[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