Westinghouse TL washer & dryer, should I grab them??

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Malcolm posted Craigslist ad for the washer yesterday.   I spoke to the seller a few minutes ago and he also has the matching gas dryer too.

 

Is this washer new enough to have the white straight vane agitator, or do you think it might be old enough to have the blue ramp agitator??

 

 

 

[mrb627]

My Guess

I would guess the blue ramp!

Would love to see an interior pic, though.

Malcolm

 

[revvinkevin]

Here is the matching dryer....

 

 

For a short time I had a 1977 version of the above washer with the straight-vane agitator and it had VERY poor movement / roll over!   The washer itself was rusted and worn out, but it still worked.   

 

Do you think these would be worth picking up for maybe $80 for both?   It's at least a 2 hour round trip with little traffic, but here in LA that rarely happens (little traffic).

 

What do you think??

 

Kevin 

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Yeah I think that would be the only way I would be interested... if it was the ramp agitator.   The straight vane was a very poor performer!

 

Kevin

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I've always liked this design dryer. Very quiet and very tolerant of less than careful owners. The washer is a toss up. I'd ask the seller about the agitator before you spend purchase and gas money on getting them. As you said, you have/had a washer similar to this with an agi you're not overly impressed with. It could be a duplicate unless you want to replace the rusted out one you have (didn't it have noisy bearings as well?) with a better example... If so, then STRIP out the old or otherwise bid it farewell. Love ya, Kevin BUT someone's gotta help ya with the... extent of your collection... LOL!

RCD

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Oh... believe me Andy... if this one has the straight vane agi, I will not only pass, I'll run away screeming "Noooooooo......!"

 

I have no interest in "revisiting".   Been there, done that, won't go back there again.

 

Kevin

 

 

[eddy1210]

Kevin, even if it has a straight vane... it will take a ramp agitator.  You can always put one in yourself.  It looks like a nice machine to have.

 

[Cookietaster12]

You need to grab them ASAP!!!!! I have the best memories of this washer at my Godmother's house when I was a kid. The blue ramp agitator had amazing turn over and it was extremely quiet. That is a steal for that washer. Also, I loved the straight vane agitator. My babysitter had the other console and that is what made me fall in love with Westinghouse washers. Either or for me would be a GREAT BUY!!!!

 

[goatfarmer]

Those washers were known to leak oil, make sure the underside is reasonably dry.

 

[revvinkevin]

You need to grab them ASAP!!!!!

 

 

Oh sure... easy for you to say Keyone... being all the way across the country and all!   LOL   Do YOU want to buy them and ship back to Baltimore?

 

I'll call the seller again and ask him to check the agitator for me.  If a ramp, yes.   If straight vane, oh hell no!

 

= = = = = = =

 

Eddie, yeah I could install the ramp agi, but it's not like I have one sitting on the shelf here... LOL

 

Kevin

 

 

[golittlesport]

Go for it!

This machine should have the spiral ramp agitator unless the owner changed it out. It also has the handwash agitator nestled underneath the spiral ramp. Check out the emblem on the control panel below the speed selector switch. This looks to be almost top of the line and in good condition. Ask the owner for interior shot.

 

[jetcone]

Kevin

You know you need to distinguish your collection by having the only TOP LOAD Westinghouse pair in the club- Str8 vane or no.

get driv'n

 

[revvinkevin]

No need to decide now....

Someone beat me to them, oh well.

And yes it has the blue ramp agitator.

Kevin

 

[golittlesport]

oh bummer

Those would have been fun. I was getting ready to come over and help you move them.

 

[combo52]

WH Ramp Agitator Vs Straight Vane Agitator

A straight vane agitator will always turn over a HEAVY load better than a ramp style agitator, sure ramp agitators are fun to watch when lightly loaded, but even on the fairly effective KM Roto-Swirl agitators the only thing that made them work were the three straight fins at the bottom and the WP BD machines with the Surgulator always washed and turned over a bigger load than the RS ever did. Ramp style agitators were dropped for a reason [ and unlikely to ever reappear ] as manufacturers got serious about energy efficiency and load size.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Wow, if a "straight vane" works that much better than a "ramp style", maybe I wouldn't want this washer after all!   The 1977 Westy TL I had (briefly) before had the straight vane and was absolutely HORRIBLE at moving clothes around, even with a "normal" (moderate) size load!  

 

It still would have been fun to play with though!  

 

 

[appnut]

The indexing tub helped compromise  washing effectiveness on these.  If you held the tub in plae, turnover improved significantly. 

 

[launderess]

Methinks The Word Is Out

People are so fed up with modern offerings of top loading washers they are snapping up vintage units.