Just picked the little guy up today. It has only been used for 2 washloads in it's entire life! Runs very smoothly. will post video soon.
Nick WK78
Nick WK78
The Little BOL Kenmore that followed me home.
- Thread starter whirlykenmore78
- Start date
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BOL KM
Money shot
Money shot
BOL KM
Model/serial tag Gordon Please look up it's info.
Model/serial tag Gordon Please look up it's info.
BOL KM
Underside
Underside
BOL KM
Close up of mechanicals.
Close up of mechanicals.
DirectDriveDave
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2011
- Messages
- 456
wow, nice! amazing that it has only been used for two wash loads.
I'm still trying to learn what the mechanisms of the BDs do wyen they switch to each mode.
I'm still trying to learn what the mechanisms of the BDs do wyen they switch to each mode.
GORGEOUS!!!!
Only use TWICE in its life??? WHAT A FABULOUS FIND!!!! Congrats! I'm quite jealous!!!
Only use TWICE in its life??? WHAT A FABULOUS FIND!!!! Congrats! I'm quite jealous!!!
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Wooooo Hoooo !
What a nice find Nick !
Love the one cycle models.. and that straght vane can move some water.
The underside looks mint very exciting Goooood luck with this washer.
Gordon that motor is different then I am use to seeing
I no this was in the last stages of BD production care to elaberate on this motor..
And I gather the long tube is a self cleaning filter..
Nick cant wait to see it in action .
Darren
What a nice find Nick !
Love the one cycle models.. and that straght vane can move some water.
The underside looks mint very exciting Goooood luck with this washer.
Gordon that motor is different then I am use to seeing
I no this was in the last stages of BD production care to elaberate on this motor..
And I gather the long tube is a self cleaning filter..
Nick cant wait to see it in action .
Darren
Here are the vids
Agitation test.
Agitation test.
BOL KM
Spin test with very quiet solenoid.
Spin test with very quiet solenoid.
Hey Nick,
CONGRATS! It looks like it is in pretty amazing condition, neat little machine!
So what's the story behind it? Where has it been and why only two wash loads?
Thanks!
Kevin
CONGRATS! It looks like it is in pretty amazing condition, neat little machine!
So what's the story behind it? Where has it been and why only two wash loads?
Thanks!
Kevin
Wow - do you know what the story is that it wasn't used? What a great find! Must be one of the very last 24" belt-drives - didn't the 24" DD machines come out around 82?
Wow, that looks like it was right out of the showroom. And runs like it also. I always prefered to call them Whirlmores. Thought the Kenpool sounded like something Barbie had.
24" Belt Drive KM Washer
WOW Nick cool find, as Greg suggested this must be about the last of the full sized 24" BD washers. The model tag shows it to be built the 24th week of 1981 in the Clyde Ohio WP plant, the plant is still running and is by far the biggest washer factory in the world today. The DD 24" machines did appear in certain markets in late 1981 and I never saw one of these 24" BD washers built in 1982.
This BOL model was built mainly as an advertising piece to lure customers into Sears so their salesman could try to move them up the line a little. You needed very strong sales resistance and resolve to ever buy one of these basic machines.
So what is its story Nick
WOW Nick cool find, as Greg suggested this must be about the last of the full sized 24" BD washers. The model tag shows it to be built the 24th week of 1981 in the Clyde Ohio WP plant, the plant is still running and is by far the biggest washer factory in the world today. The DD 24" machines did appear in certain markets in late 1981 and I never saw one of these 24" BD washers built in 1982.
This BOL model was built mainly as an advertising piece to lure customers into Sears so their salesman could try to move them up the line a little. You needed very strong sales resistance and resolve to ever buy one of these basic machines.
So what is its story Nick
WOW Nick, that little bugger looks GREAT!
Guys -
Several mentioned questions for me, so I'll address them all at once.
First Nick, this is a 1981 Kenmore 100 series, and yes, it is absolutely BOL. There is nothing in the non-portables that was lower in the line or less expensive. This was in one of the 1981/1982 catalogs for $249. This is the one-dial wonder type machine that really fascinated me, and still does.
How long ago was this machine last used Nick, any idea? Do me a favor and get the hoses out of the basket when you run it next time - the brass ends can chip porcelain when they clang together, especially the one-coat blue tubs.
This is another case that I was talking about earlier this year of a timer having cycle portions or entire cycles that are wired to be OFF and dis-used. The large off-section in this machine is a Perm-Press cycle in the next machine up, which shares this timer.
There was a 29-inch large capacity version of this machine too - it is on my dream machine list. Same exact thing, just a wider cabinet and the large capacity (with Penta Vane) tub.
This machine was made in the 24th week of 1981. I am fairly sure this model hung around for quite some time - well into 1983 even though direct drives were coming into the picture, as they didn't take over over-night.
Darren - The motor is a standard issue Emerson. This or something very similar is in about every belt-drive there is from the late 70s on. This is a single speed motor, but the 2-speeds look very similar. There were some GE motors at least in large cap. machines with an externally mounted capacitor, but they are rare, thankfully (they suck). The Emersons used on standard capacity machine are split phase motors. Large capacity machines are capacitor start. They come to life just a tad more abruptly than the others.
Also Darren, that large tube is the manifold trap. All your belt-drives have the same unless you have some from the 1950s. In this case it gives away the fact that this machine is very low use, as these are often stained, or have some rusty debris in them from pins, coins, etc.
Greg - The direct drive invasion was about to begin (there had already been a couple test models on the market) when this machine was built, but there were some 24-inch models in production well into 1983 and maybe even 1984. There was even one new model 24-inch belt-drive in the line for 1983, which was the last major new belt-drive issue of models for Sears. Most of the first direct drives utilized this console styling, but had two or three cycles and some temp/level selections. I remember a Sears TV commercial in spring or early summer 1983 for one of the surviving 24-inch machines - it had a white straight-vane agitator! I would LOVE to see one of those.
The next model up is a 200 series - same exact machine except it has an adjustable pressure switch, and the Perm cycle is not OFF. I put a picture below. It has the ebony insert on the left panel side. Just a few minor changes make the machine look quite a bit different. Sears got $20 more for this model for nothing more than the black plastic sheet and a chromed knob. The serial number on mind is C21612345. I love the 12345 part!
COOL find Nick!
Gordon
Guys -
Several mentioned questions for me, so I'll address them all at once.
First Nick, this is a 1981 Kenmore 100 series, and yes, it is absolutely BOL. There is nothing in the non-portables that was lower in the line or less expensive. This was in one of the 1981/1982 catalogs for $249. This is the one-dial wonder type machine that really fascinated me, and still does.
How long ago was this machine last used Nick, any idea? Do me a favor and get the hoses out of the basket when you run it next time - the brass ends can chip porcelain when they clang together, especially the one-coat blue tubs.
This is another case that I was talking about earlier this year of a timer having cycle portions or entire cycles that are wired to be OFF and dis-used. The large off-section in this machine is a Perm-Press cycle in the next machine up, which shares this timer.
There was a 29-inch large capacity version of this machine too - it is on my dream machine list. Same exact thing, just a wider cabinet and the large capacity (with Penta Vane) tub.
This machine was made in the 24th week of 1981. I am fairly sure this model hung around for quite some time - well into 1983 even though direct drives were coming into the picture, as they didn't take over over-night.
Darren - The motor is a standard issue Emerson. This or something very similar is in about every belt-drive there is from the late 70s on. This is a single speed motor, but the 2-speeds look very similar. There were some GE motors at least in large cap. machines with an externally mounted capacitor, but they are rare, thankfully (they suck). The Emersons used on standard capacity machine are split phase motors. Large capacity machines are capacitor start. They come to life just a tad more abruptly than the others.
Also Darren, that large tube is the manifold trap. All your belt-drives have the same unless you have some from the 1950s. In this case it gives away the fact that this machine is very low use, as these are often stained, or have some rusty debris in them from pins, coins, etc.
Greg - The direct drive invasion was about to begin (there had already been a couple test models on the market) when this machine was built, but there were some 24-inch models in production well into 1983 and maybe even 1984. There was even one new model 24-inch belt-drive in the line for 1983, which was the last major new belt-drive issue of models for Sears. Most of the first direct drives utilized this console styling, but had two or three cycles and some temp/level selections. I remember a Sears TV commercial in spring or early summer 1983 for one of the surviving 24-inch machines - it had a white straight-vane agitator! I would LOVE to see one of those.
The next model up is a 200 series - same exact machine except it has an adjustable pressure switch, and the Perm cycle is not OFF. I put a picture below. It has the ebony insert on the left panel side. Just a few minor changes make the machine look quite a bit different. Sears got $20 more for this model for nothing more than the black plastic sheet and a chromed knob. The serial number on mind is C21612345. I love the 12345 part!
COOL find Nick!
Gordon
mrb627
Well-known member
Sweet Golden BOL
That is a sweet machine. There is something about simple machines that is quite fascinating. My Granny had a single cycle Kenmore back in the late 60's. Had a bakelite SV agitator in it. Used to stand on my tiptoes and watch that thing churn away.
I can hardly wait for additional videos...
Malcolm
That is a sweet machine. There is something about simple machines that is quite fascinating. My Granny had a single cycle Kenmore back in the late 60's. Had a bakelite SV agitator in it. Used to stand on my tiptoes and watch that thing churn away.
I can hardly wait for additional videos...
Malcolm
