Vintage Kelvinator questions
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toploader55
Well-known member
Oh My
What a Beauty.
No one has mentioned yet but before you fire her up, I believe the procedure is to pour about 3-4 gallons of Hot Water in the machine and some down the drain hose and let it soak for a half hour or so. This will expand and lubricate the seals to avoid any damage.
Good luck with the restoration.
What a Beauty.
No one has mentioned yet but before you fire her up, I believe the procedure is to pour about 3-4 gallons of Hot Water in the machine and some down the drain hose and let it soak for a half hour or so. This will expand and lubricate the seals to avoid any damage.
Good luck with the restoration.
easyspindry
Well-known member
Great finds . . .
. . . both the Kelvi and the Ironrite.
I have two Ironrites and love them. I do all my shirts on the Ironrite. Once you learn a few tricks, they're a great way to iron.
Good luck and welcome to AutomaticWasher.org.
Jerry Gay
. . . both the Kelvi and the Ironrite.
I have two Ironrites and love them. I do all my shirts on the Ironrite. Once you learn a few tricks, they're a great way to iron.
Good luck and welcome to AutomaticWasher.org.
Jerry Gay
WOW! My favorite dream kelvinator!
What a cool find Junkman! She seems in beautiful restorable condition! Can't wait to see her do her first load again! Do-All Dial so rare. Nice Save!
What a cool find Junkman! She seems in beautiful restorable condition! Can't wait to see her do her first load again! Do-All Dial so rare. Nice Save!
oldskool
Well-known member
So Cool!
Congratulations on the great find!
Looking forward to seeing the pictures when it's up and running!
Congratulations on the great find!
Looking forward to seeing the pictures when it's up and running!
added more pictures
added more in an album
added more in an album
mickeyd
Well-known member
Randy,
Cleaned up so nice, and with those big photos of the workings, the gifted mechanics here might be able to spot any obvious problems for you.
Chris! Holy Crap--a suds Back! Wondering how Kelvi did the Suds Back with that minty solid tub. There are quite a few methods of returning suds. Would be cool to learn Kelvi's.
Thanks for the info on the WnW cycle, Ben.
Randy, these amazing machines were made by the American Motors Company, like Ford's Philcos, and General Motors' Frigidaires, all unusual and fabulous machines. Kelvi's were famous for the static rinse you can view in Ben's video. Few other machine did this. When the agitation stops for the overflow, lasting from 1 & 1/4 to 2 minutes depending on the model, up to one half of the water is replaced in the tub, a huge dilution. They're also famous for insane water chaos that you can see vividly in Ben's flick.
On the programmed model for 1965, there was a glass window--seems AMC loved its windshields--for viewing the programs as you turned the big handle, On the Wash N Wear cycle, after the pause at the end of the wash, this powerful aerated flush, just like the static rinse only in cold rather than warm, would begin as the tub spun out the soapy water. I remember my grandfather washing his "Dacron" or "Dectolene" or something shirts, and watching this interesting operation. Spent most of my spare time in front of that machine when I was at their house, captivated by it.
Cleaned up so nice, and with those big photos of the workings, the gifted mechanics here might be able to spot any obvious problems for you.
Chris! Holy Crap--a suds Back! Wondering how Kelvi did the Suds Back with that minty solid tub. There are quite a few methods of returning suds. Would be cool to learn Kelvi's.
Thanks for the info on the WnW cycle, Ben.
Randy, these amazing machines were made by the American Motors Company, like Ford's Philcos, and General Motors' Frigidaires, all unusual and fabulous machines. Kelvi's were famous for the static rinse you can view in Ben's video. Few other machine did this. When the agitation stops for the overflow, lasting from 1 & 1/4 to 2 minutes depending on the model, up to one half of the water is replaced in the tub, a huge dilution. They're also famous for insane water chaos that you can see vividly in Ben's flick.
On the programmed model for 1965, there was a glass window--seems AMC loved its windshields--for viewing the programs as you turned the big handle, On the Wash N Wear cycle, after the pause at the end of the wash, this powerful aerated flush, just like the static rinse only in cold rather than warm, would begin as the tub spun out the soapy water. I remember my grandfather washing his "Dacron" or "Dectolene" or something shirts, and watching this interesting operation. Spent most of my spare time in front of that machine when I was at their house, captivated by it.
Congratulations on finding such a rare machine in good condition! Hopefully there won't be anything too drastically wrong with it, mechanically speaking.
As a brit and never seeing these machines or anything
like them can I ask are the AMC/Kelvinator and Ford/Philco based on a similar design as both have concentric agitators?
Please don't yell at me for being so dumb I can't help my heritage
)
Austin
like them can I ask are the AMC/Kelvinator and Ford/Philco based on a similar design as both have concentric agitators?
Please don't yell at me for being so dumb I can't help my heritage
)Austin
ohh those
"Rubba-Scrubba's" are in nice shape, your clothes will get really clean! If there are no major leaks from the tub area all it looks it needs is a good belt hose change out and lubing of the bearings. On the main shaft are grease nipples you can lube without haveing to take the whole machine apart. These are one of the easiest washers to maintain and work on.
Love that Do All Dial!
"Rubba-Scrubba's" are in nice shape, your clothes will get really clean! If there are no major leaks from the tub area all it looks it needs is a good belt hose change out and lubing of the bearings. On the main shaft are grease nipples you can lube without haveing to take the whole machine apart. These are one of the easiest washers to maintain and work on.
Love that Do All Dial!
Austin-- I believe only the AMC/Kelvinator washers have concentric agitation. Agitation in the Philco machines comes from the flapping rubber disc at the base of the agitator post.
Lubing Up The Good Old Kelvinator
Be very careful when greasing the grease fittings on the main bearings and water pump with a hand [ or power ] grease gun, if you apply the grease too fast or too much you can dislodge the main bearings and size the mechanism, don't ask me how I know, LOL.
Be very careful when greasing the grease fittings on the main bearings and water pump with a hand [ or power ] grease gun, if you apply the grease too fast or too much you can dislodge the main bearings and size the mechanism, don't ask me how I know, LOL.
ovrphil
Well-known member
Beautiful machine!
That's a cool looking machine - I really like it, nice find!
And it came with a window - excellent!
And did I say it's handsome looking? Geez, some of the Kelvinators remind of the old cars, the Nash, etc.
That's a cool looking machine - I really like it, nice find!
And it came with a window - excellent!
And did I say it's handsome looking? Geez, some of the Kelvinators remind of the old cars, the Nash, etc.
