Here they are.
Well, I went and got 'em -- '53 Maytag and '51 Kenmore
- Thread starter northwesty
- Start date
toggleswitch
Well-known member
Congratulations!
YAY!
More pics, please!
YAY!
More pics, please!
Interior Maytag
I plugged it in and it is deader than a doornail. You do get a little electric shock when you touch the black thingy on the lid. Never thought I would own a Maytag. I can tell it is a real sturdy machine. If anyone is interested in this let me know as I can't keep it. Not the usual case - I wanted the dryer and had to take both.
I plugged it in and it is deader than a doornail. You do get a little electric shock when you touch the black thingy on the lid. Never thought I would own a Maytag. I can tell it is a real sturdy machine. If anyone is interested in this let me know as I can't keep it. Not the usual case - I wanted the dryer and had to take both.
Int. Dryer
Well, the other ones I own are in better shape but overall not bad.
Well, the other ones I own are in better shape but overall not bad.
Kenmore dependability
Well I pugged her in and she heated right up. Quite a relief as this involved 6 hours of driving.
These were in the basement of a 1905 house along with a whole bunch of other washers and dryers and stuff. Seems the two sons of the old owners inherited the place and didn't do a thing to the place. I'd say it hasn't been painted in 40-50 years. Anyway the new owner is getting rid of all the tons of stuff. I asked -- no other really vintage stuff.
Well I pugged her in and she heated right up. Quite a relief as this involved 6 hours of driving.
These were in the basement of a 1905 house along with a whole bunch of other washers and dryers and stuff. Seems the two sons of the old owners inherited the place and didn't do a thing to the place. I'd say it hasn't been painted in 40-50 years. Anyway the new owner is getting rid of all the tons of stuff. I asked -- no other really vintage stuff.
Great finds! Your early Kenmore collection continues to expand. However, the electric shock issue with the Maytag makes me nervous; the cord isn't a grounded 3-prong type, so if it went ballistic, you'd take the full brunt of the amperage. BE CAREFUL!
Well, now I don't want to get into trouble. I can tell you I am going to keep every bolt of this machine as it actually runs a little quieter than one of my "restored" machines. But as I am using mine as daily drivers for a family of 8 I thought it prudent to have some backup parts. One of the reasons I drove all the way down there was to get this knob -- the one on my machine had all the pins and brackets sheared off the back so I never got to repainting it - it just wobbled around on the top of the machine. The one good knob on the new machine is in good shape. It was real satisfying to snap this into place.
That's a little piece of wood I glued to the back of the old knob to keep it in place.
That's a little piece of wood I glued to the back of the old knob to keep it in place.
Gasket
Here is a gasket that is in excellent shape to replace one of the old ones. That's the old one in my hand.
Thanks Eugene, I don't really plan on plugging the Maytag in again, but I couldn't resist when I first got it home.
Thanks to David too for posting this to start with.
Here is a gasket that is in excellent shape to replace one of the old ones. That's the old one in my hand.
Thanks Eugene, I don't really plan on plugging the Maytag in again, but I couldn't resist when I first got it home.
Thanks to David too for posting this to start with.
Oh my this is good news
Actually one of the dryers I have has a broken heating coil I have been hooking back together about once a week for I can't count how many months. I was able to get a new old stock coil, and even picked up the whole element from a 1969 machine, but they weren't quite the same so it would have required some gerry-rigging. Interestingly the two 1951 dryers I have are very different and incompatable inside. Anyway I had no idea which style this one was so I was so pleased that it is actually the correct replacement for my broken one. Actually the day after, well about an hour ago, I had to install this as mine burned out again and it fit right in.
Actually one of the dryers I have has a broken heating coil I have been hooking back together about once a week for I can't count how many months. I was able to get a new old stock coil, and even picked up the whole element from a 1969 machine, but they weren't quite the same so it would have required some gerry-rigging. Interestingly the two 1951 dryers I have are very different and incompatable inside. Anyway I had no idea which style this one was so I was so pleased that it is actually the correct replacement for my broken one. Actually the day after, well about an hour ago, I had to install this as mine burned out again and it fit right in.
Nice!
We noticed those online the day before we left for DC. Turns out I love that washer but goodness knows I would have a lot of learning to do in order to fix it! And now it's 6 hours away! hehe. Oh well...they look great though. Congrats!
Jon
We noticed those online the day before we left for DC. Turns out I love that washer but goodness knows I would have a lot of learning to do in order to fix it! And now it's 6 hours away! hehe. Oh well...they look great though. Congrats!
Jon
Well they don't call them frog eyes for nothin'
Just wanted to also mention that the pump problem I was having was in fact a belt that was too loose. A new belt fixed it right up. This is the second set of my machines newly up and running and by the back door in the garage. I ran new wires for the dryer. Hopefully I can keep these going.
Nice agitator. If I don't get any bites on the Maytag I might ebay some of it.
Just wanted to also mention that the pump problem I was having was in fact a belt that was too loose. A new belt fixed it right up. This is the second set of my machines newly up and running and by the back door in the garage. I ran new wires for the dryer. Hopefully I can keep these going.
Nice agitator. If I don't get any bites on the Maytag I might ebay some of it.
Literature
Nice to get this paperwork as well. Bought new in 1954. Used to be a matching washer too. Little depressing to read about the improved center post and drive tube assembly for 1960. I don't know if my machines are outfitted with those or not. It will me a sad day when they wear out. I do have one replacement I think though.
Nice to get this paperwork as well. Bought new in 1954. Used to be a matching washer too. Little depressing to read about the improved center post and drive tube assembly for 1960. I don't know if my machines are outfitted with those or not. It will me a sad day when they wear out. I do have one replacement I think though.
Hey Brian,
Great Find!!! BTW I still have the Kenmore Washer service manual for you and I hope to get it in the mail to you this week..I thought I mailed it already, yesterday when I was cleaning my car..there it was..
I will be Seattle to write my DOH State exam on October 3. I could give you a call when I am in town...be cool to see your collection and new addition to the family
Bob
BTW the Bendix baby is still resting...I started to work on it, then I got sidetrack with ...home renos...it never ends..I can't wait to spend a week on the Bendix!!!
Great Find!!! BTW I still have the Kenmore Washer service manual for you and I hope to get it in the mail to you this week..I thought I mailed it already, yesterday when I was cleaning my car..there it was..
I will be Seattle to write my DOH State exam on October 3. I could give you a call when I am in town...be cool to see your collection and new addition to the family
Bob
BTW the Bendix baby is still resting...I started to work on it, then I got sidetrack with ...home renos...it never ends..I can't wait to spend a week on the Bendix!!!
mickeyd
Well-known member
Isn't fun and cool and oh so simple, Brian,
the way the dryer control and the washer control are identical: HOT/MED/WARM.
Never knew that since I've never seen the the dryer.
If no one wants the electro-shock therapy washer and you part it out, don't waste time e-baying the beautiful red agitator. I'll pay a good buck for it, and happy to pay such an esteemed club brother for his trouble. Please and thank you.
You wash for eight, huh? Amazing! How many loads a week ? I bet you wash every day. Nice to see you again.
Mike
the way the dryer control and the washer control are identical: HOT/MED/WARM.
Never knew that since I've never seen the the dryer.
If no one wants the electro-shock therapy washer and you part it out, don't waste time e-baying the beautiful red agitator. I'll pay a good buck for it, and happy to pay such an esteemed club brother for his trouble. Please and thank you.
You wash for eight, huh? Amazing! How many loads a week ? I bet you wash every day. Nice to see you again.
Mike
Congratulations on your great acquisitions. One of the things that happened to the AM style Maytags with the switches in the lid was that over time the rubber insulation on the wires in the lid became brittle and either broke or did not let the water level switch move properly. Yours might have a wire with insulation that is broken allowing the wire to be resting on some component. That could be why yours is dead and why you received an electrical shock when you touched either the water level button or the off balance lever.
Were you allowed to go into the basement? If so, do you have any idea how long these might have been in service based on the look of the other washers and dryers?
Have fun with the dryer. Tom
Were you allowed to go into the basement? If so, do you have any idea how long these might have been in service based on the look of the other washers and dryers?
Have fun with the dryer. Tom
Very nice finds, Brian! Too bad you don't have room for the Maytag washer - it's very fun to use but your beautiful Kenmores will probably more practical for your family.
Have fun and I'm glad to see you got a bunch of back-up parts to keep washing vintage-style for a long, long time.
Have fun and I'm glad to see you got a bunch of back-up parts to keep washing vintage-style for a long, long time.
zipdang
Well-known member
Brian, I'm so glad you got those and saved them from a nasty fate! I was thinking you'd only get them if you had a taker for the washer. Hopefully someone can can take it off your hands and give it a new life. BTW, your Kenmores are beautiful!
David
David
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Congrats!
Boy, does that Kenmore dryer bring back memories- we had this model Kenmore pair when I was little. I am really glad you were the one who got this dryer for parts; I know what it's like to have an old, cool item with a broken part that's hard to find. There's nothing quite like the feeling of finding the part and restoring your collectible to its full function and glory.
I really envy you having a pair of Kenmores of this vintage. Your photos have been carefully saved to my hard drive- I may not have the actual machines, but I do have the pics. Thanks for saving these machines- it's like someone's looking out for my memories.
Boy, does that Kenmore dryer bring back memories- we had this model Kenmore pair when I was little. I am really glad you were the one who got this dryer for parts; I know what it's like to have an old, cool item with a broken part that's hard to find. There's nothing quite like the feeling of finding the part and restoring your collectible to its full function and glory.
I really envy you having a pair of Kenmores of this vintage. Your photos have been carefully saved to my hard drive- I may not have the actual machines, but I do have the pics. Thanks for saving these machines- it's like someone's looking out for my memories.
Brian,
Perhaps I can save the Maytag. We'll see though.
Jon
Perhaps I can save the Maytag. We'll see though.
Jon
Great save there Brian - you should be set for parts for years! The Maytag is quite cute too -
Ben
Ben
48bencix
Well-known member
Maytag
I have the Maytag manual. Probably wouldn't be that hard to fix. You might want to take the lid apart to see if there are any bare wires in there. There are two glass enclosed mercury switches in there, and it won't fill or agitate unless the switches are working. The switches themselves probably are OK, but the connections could be worn out.
These Maytags were grounded with a cold water hose that had an electrical wire in it. You need to run a separate ground wire from the washer chasis to a good ground before you fool around with it again. Of course if there is a short in there you will blow a fuse or trip a breaker right away.
It is kind of funny, my 1999 Maytag has a grounding screw on the back of an auxilary ground, my 1980 one did too.
Those Maytag AMP machines are very fun to watch. I connected a regular light switch to that area in the back covered by a plate. It is actually meant to have a dealer switch for demonstration. There was a kit that had two toggleswitches, one for fill and the other for agitation/spin. I connected only one switch, using "douglas" connectors (snap together connectors). That way when I remove the switch, I can snap the wires together and the washer will be back to original condition.
Martin
I have the Maytag manual. Probably wouldn't be that hard to fix. You might want to take the lid apart to see if there are any bare wires in there. There are two glass enclosed mercury switches in there, and it won't fill or agitate unless the switches are working. The switches themselves probably are OK, but the connections could be worn out.
These Maytags were grounded with a cold water hose that had an electrical wire in it. You need to run a separate ground wire from the washer chasis to a good ground before you fool around with it again. Of course if there is a short in there you will blow a fuse or trip a breaker right away.
It is kind of funny, my 1999 Maytag has a grounding screw on the back of an auxilary ground, my 1980 one did too.
Those Maytag AMP machines are very fun to watch. I connected a regular light switch to that area in the back covered by a plate. It is actually meant to have a dealer switch for demonstration. There was a kit that had two toggleswitches, one for fill and the other for agitation/spin. I connected only one switch, using "douglas" connectors (snap together connectors). That way when I remove the switch, I can snap the wires together and the washer will be back to original condition.
Martin
toggleswitch
Well-known member
~Of course if there is a short in there you will blow a fuse or trip a breaker right away.
Although a PITA it is a much better alternative than having the current FLOW THROUGH YOU!
Although a PITA it is a much better alternative than having the current FLOW THROUGH YOU!
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