Combo52 & Mickeyd - LKM Wringer
Hi guys,
Well, I was assuming 1979 was the year it was made from some of the numbers in the serial/model number. That's why I called the 800 number for Sears - well you can guess who answered - that's it! Manila. So after a very unproductive conversation with this nice girl who had never even heard of wringer washers, I decided to try on line for a parts booklet or list or even a manual but to no avail. Any thoughts on where to start looking? I would like to maybe find a list of model numbers/serial numbers with a reference to the year and month even that it was made as well as the repair manual if it's still around. More out of curiosity than anything else.
Thank you Mickey for the advice on how to "set" the wringer. I thought I had it seated properly but maybe not. I'll try it again tonight when I get home from work. Mickey, can you maybe share the instruction booklet with me? I have had the wringer head on the floor upside down, and have lithium greased every part that looked like it needed some plate type lube. I was pretty careful to mask the spray with a rag just to be neat. There are some square shaped covers with seals on either end of the wringer rollers' axels that look like grease cups but I didn't get into them as I didn't hear any noises or grindings coming out of those areas when I was using the washer. I think they're probably OK for now.
I'd also like to replace the drain hose as it is really stiff and old feeling. I'm afraid it'll just break off someday if it gets banged when moving it. I doubt if I could get an original part but any standard solid rubber drain hose would work. The top has that aluminium hook that also has a chrome plated collar so I'd probably have to modify any newer hose I put on anyway because of it. The collar has a hanging latch on it's side that hooks into another chromed piece attached to the side of the wringer drive shaft cover. This is just for non-use storage I guess. There's also a hole in the side of the tub that allows the aluminium hook to hang inside the washer and circulate/filter if you want to use the machine with the lid on. I like to watch these things work, so I leave the lid off when I'm using it. Also the plastic hook underneath the lid that is used to hang the lid onto the side of the tub is broken off. Don't know if I'd ever be able to find that part. It's rivited on the lid too so it's not easily removable.
And you're right Mickey about the pump being way more effective than pumps on automatics. When you shift the lever to turn it on, the water just gusshes out with a very great force - and since I have a well and live out in the country, this pump actually provides better water pressure than the water in my house! Not that I don't like both types of machines - I do. I am a product of the 20th century when these oldies were phased out and automatics came down the pike.
Just step back a minute and think about the light years we as a country and by extension, as a world, have come. At the turn of the 20th century our grandparents (as young children and then later as young adults) saw the advent of automobiles, mass electricity distribution in most major cities and some rural areas, the beginning of mass marketing of electric light bulbls, toasters and irons and Lord knows what other devices. By 1920 the magic of radio was moving ahead like a steam locomotive, electrical refrigeration was coming along too and by 1928, GE comes out with the Monitor refrigerator. A true major leap in technology for the home and enabled all of those who could afford such new luxuries, to eat much better and fresher foods. Lets not forget that right here in Minneapolis (pretty near where I live), the refrigerated train car was invented and later this same technology was transferred to over the road long distance trucks too (by an engineer who happened to be a black man I might add) and enabled the distribution of fresh meats, vegetables and fruits in such massive quantities as never had been seen before in mankind's history. Can you all see why I really love refrigerators too? Enough of my soapbox preaching!
As an infant, my parents had an old wringer but replaced it in 1951 with a Westinghouse front loader. I was 2 1/2 about at that time and do remember snatches of the wringer being used by my grandmother (who at that time lived with us in the same house). As a young child I just loved to lean up against the Westy as it went into spin mode to feel that great vibrating motion all through your body. Yeah, yeah, I know it was an early sign. And you know Mickey, this "new" LKM wringer is the same aquablue color as the picture of that automatic washer you have in your profile I think!
Underneath the chrome plated contours of the laundry guides on the wringer head, there is a bit of surface rust but since none of this comes in contact with the clothes, I guess it doesn't matter too much. The wringer head is way more mechanically complicated that the other Kenmore Visa-A-Matic I had. I did really like the beefyness of that machine and my experience with it is why I decided to drive to Milwaukee to get this one. Plus it's a two speed motor and turquoise to boot!
My partner (Joe is his name - a blonde - blue eyed Bohunk from up north) was beside himself with frustration when he got home and saw me working on it. My trip to Milwaukee was a secret! He asked what I was going to do with the Speed Queen (well, he referred to her as "that other wringer THING"). I just calmly told him I was going to donate it to whomever wanted it. He just shook his head and in his good natured way told me, "No More Washers!". I just smiled to myself knowing that there will always be another washer! It's like the quest for the holy grail it seems.
