Vintage Kenmore Washer and Dryer

[maytag85]

Reply #18

Yeah, definitely would be more belt drive washers around if the outer tubs were plastic. The design would have lived on a bit longer as well since the plastic outer tubs would have costed less compared to a metal outer tub.

 

[qsd-dan]

What area did they cheapen out on? Metal quality, gauge thickness, or coating?

 

[drummerboy928]

Kenmore Outer Tub Rust

I really wish that they had gone to plastic earlier, instead of cheapened the metal. My belt drive was built the 18th week of 1986, so it was one of the last produced belt drive washers. I know all too well about that outer tub rot. Mines been getting worse and worse over the years, to the point where i’m almost at the point of being forced to replace it. I’ve patched it all around the port for the pump, and a small pinhole on the side, and i just can’t keep the rust at bay how I wish I could. I hope I’m either able to find a solid replacement, or pull the outer tub and completely sand, patch, and paint the outer tub. I’m starting to run out of options and I have no idea how to weld, nor know anyone who can, and scrapping the machine is the absolute LAST thing I want to do since it was my first machine.

 

[repairguy]

Dan the metal was a thinner gauge but I believe the biggest issue was the porcelain coating used. It was definitely not the same as the pre 1981 machines. The outer tubs from the sixties seemed to be robust as seldom do I see a problem with one when restoring one of those machines.

Henry I’m sure you’ve already been searching for another machine for parts. In this area belt drive whirlpool and kenmore machines built 1986 and before are kind of extinct. From what I’ve seen on this site over the years they pop up more often in areas where basements are common. Hopefully before you run out of options you’ll find something even if it looks terrible maybe the tub will be in decent shape.