The 1970 avocado Kenmores have landed (in my basement)!

[kenmore71]

Here's the full scan of the 60 model from 1970 Spring/Summer catalog as requested.

 

It is curious how similar these machines really are from a cycle standpoint.  I suspect that they use the same timer and both have the self-cleaning lint filter.

 

The only differences I can see in features are:

1. The lack of timed bleach & fabric softener dispensers, the 60 having the agitator-mounted dispenser.

2. The manual water temp control which would like preclude the use of a cold rinse on the hot and warm settings unless you changed the dial after the wash filled.

3. The 3-position water level switch instead of the infinite.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Mark -

Let me guess, your washer's model number is 110.7005700 or something nearby up to 110.7005704. If it was 110.7004700 (non-suds) the first few revisions use timer 362357, while the later versions use timer 363089. They both sub to 373844 as the last available WP/FSP timer.

The "pedestrian" 60 series non-suds machine is model 110.7004610. These went all the way up to 110.7004619 in revisions except for some reason they skipped 612 and 614. Early versions use timer 363385 which subs over to 379372, which was a very common timer and is still typically widely available on ebay. This timer was used in several other mid-line machines from 1970 that I have or had.

Thus the 60 and the 70 didn't use the same timer. That is not unusual, as Sears usually spec'd a different timer for machines without solenoid controlled dispensers. The 70-series' timer may have been useable in models with water flushed detergent dispensers as well. Some of the engineer's rationale often doesn't seem to make sense as to why they used what, but it clearly made sense to them at the time. Sometimes the only difference in a timer is the presence of a dry agitate in the normal cycle or not, whether or not the timer can be used as-is in suds models, whether is has fast or slow agitation in Pre-Wash, etc. The difference may also rest in how the knobs attach as well (some had timer hubs and others screwed directly on).

I think the 60-series model from your catalog shot was pretty long-lived. It was even re-invented in 1972 with a bronze color inset on the left console instead of charcoal.

Gordon

 

[kenmoreguy64]

By the way Mark,

FANTASTIC save on the pair, the dryer looks mint just as you said. The washer looks great too.

Oddly, the first time I ever saw one of these machines was an Avocado model just like yours in the repair shop at the Sears parts depot near downtown Denver in early 1981. I really studied the panel as it reminded me of a radio as others have said here. This was when I talked my Dad into helping me repair our 1974 Kenmore which had a premature basket-drive failure --- we were getting a tutorial from a nice service guy who basically told us how to do everything. Fixing that machine led us to cancel the 1980-model Kenmore 70 that my Mom had bought a day or two before --- the same model that you had I believe.

This was also the weekend adventure that led me to develop my washer rebuilding hobby that I've so enjoyed for many years since.

Gordon

 

[kenmore71]

Gordon, the parts lists that came with the machine lists it as 700(4/5)701.

The timer in that book is listed as #363089 and makes no distinction between suds and non-suds.

Good to know what that timer subbed to in later years.  I'll be doing periodic searches to find a replacement timer to have "on hand" so that this machine doesn't suffer the same fate as my 1967 800.  I'm guessing that this timer MAY be a bit more common than that one!

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

Those are freakin' gorgeous! I love that control panel design even though I prefer the ones with lots of buttons, bells and whistles. Elegant and classic lines. I guess the pink in this illustration is not accurate if, indeed, these models were only a 1970 offering. Just gotta love those Lucite backlit control dials:

 

[70series]

Great save on the pair, and congratulations on acquiring your childhood washer equivalent. I hope that any maintenance needed is minor.

Appnut: Yes this was the set that was in the vestibule off of Karen Fairgate McKenzie's kitchen on Knot's Landing. I think hers may have been the same color too.

Have a good one,
James

 

[bendixmark]

water level

Hey Mark,I noticed in the pic of the machine running the water level looks very low.I used to get that machine all the time years ago and the water level on that model and all the 1970 models for that year was always very low.This would cause the motor to work very hard and consequently every time I got one of these the motor would be louder than loud,very loud hum when running,you mentioned your machine was loud I will bet this has something to do with it.I would raise the water level giving the adjustment screw 2 turns and go from there.Those machines didnt have alot of centerpost bearing trouble as that machine has the improved agitator cap seal though it is possible the bearings can be bad.You can take that rust off the basket with a brillo pad.Those are two of my favorite kenmores,great save.

 

[kenmore71]

Yeah, I thought that water level seemed on the low side.  I know that I had also raised the water level on my 67 800.  The owner's manual says that a full fill for this machine is 16.2 gallons.

 

[kenmore71]

Cycle details

Here are the "Alphabet Cycle" descriptions:

 

[kenmore71]

and the details of the operation:

 

[a440]

So...
What did you think about the dryer? Did you dry the full load from the
washer?
Did you watch the burner modulate while it was in operation?
I bet it is a fun dryer!
It is in such great shape!
You lucky guy!

 

[kenmore71]

Everything about the dryer seems to be good.  It does seem to have a slight intermittent squeak in the tumbling.  I suspect that cleaning and oiling the rollers and replacing the belt will likely do the trick.  After 43 years it's likely time!

 

I did dry several loads in it.  I didn't time the drying but it certainly seems to be fast.  I haven't actually laid on the floor to watch the burner modulate, but I do have a thermometer in the exhaust duct and I did notice that when the exhaust temp reaches about 150 that the flame is at less than half and that the temp stayed at pretty much exactly 150 until the burner shut off.

 

[electronicontrl]

I can't wait.....

I have my coppertone duo in my basement now for 15 months and I have not connected the dryer up yet. That soon will change as this thread has got me excited. I bought this Kenmore 800 washer w/ Suds and 900 dryer from Captain Moody. The dryer appears to have been seldom used. I'll look for that capillary tube........

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well, here is a sort of a rough draft that I made, of mine, doing a (rather, very) pale imitation:

-- Dave