Whirlpool belt-drive portable!

[norfolksouthern]

8 minute cycle results

I hope you all don't mind if I post some results. This is part of the load, after drying. The towels are typically used to clean and maintain a piece of lapidary equipment, in addition to polishing and maintaining Monokote covering on some of my R/C planes. They were also used during the repairs and pump installation, as well as wiping up the rust out of the basin from the defective pump during the initial run before disassembly. So what do you think of the results?

NorfolkSouthern

 

[autowasherfreak]

I wish I would have kept my Whirlpool portable, even though it was newer. But I good friend needed more than I did. I think the Whirlpool and Kenmore portables cleaned just a good as the full size machines.

I think yours is definitely a Keeper!

 

[autowasherfreak]

Plus I LOVE the color!

 

[norfolksouthern]

The faulty valve

I ran several loads through this little machine earlier, and there was no evidence of black specs. So, I'm assuming the other stuff coming out was residue left in the drain hose from the old pump. I took the best shot I could of the actual valve, and you can see how the corrosion under the rubber had an effect on the seal. Apparently, this machine must have sat for a long time before I adopted it!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[norfolksouthern]

Wheel caster sockets

There was also a problem rolling the cabinet to the hookup. So in addition to the pump, I invested in a set of sockets for the front wheel assembly. That, and some lubricant for the wheels have resulted in a great improvement. It glides much more smoothly across the floor. There is still some work to be done, but for now the little Whirlpool is fully functional. How else can I get so much for such a small price?

Oh by the way, all your compliments have been very encouraging. Thanks for viewing and responding!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[kenmore81]

excellent work Norfolk

I have been drooling over this machine ever sence you got it.And my favorite vintage color too. My grandmother had one in her kitchen, she had the full size whirpool gas dryer in the corner and the washer next to it. On wash day she'd roll it to the sink and id get to watch the wash untill its 1st spin.(I was 2or3). she came to live with us when I was 4 and rented the house and when she sold the house(I was6) the washer went with it. I was mad she wouldnt bring it to our house lol. I so need to find me one.

 

[norfolksouthern]

Fixing the timer control knob?

Thanks, kenmore81. It's a real bummer the machine got sold with the house. I hate the thought of what might have happened to it.

Next, I plan to work on the timer control knob. I got an email from Kenmoreguy64, and he mentions something about a stripped cog, and that a new timer would fix that. However, I'm not sure which one to get. Perhaps someone here may have a later model with one that would fit my cabinet, and that part may still be available through a parts supplier. If you own any of the older Whirlpool portables that have timers, take a look at the photo. Does yours look similar? This one has a "Super Wash" cycle, one that washes for 6 minutes, drains, pauses, then continues for a 14 minute regular cycle.

If I can get this fixed, then find the new tub ring parts, then I could end up with an almost brand new machine!

NorfolkSouthern

 

[davek]

Dial & Panel

I wish that my similar Kenmore portable had that dial and panel. It's light letters on dark background covered by a clear shroud, and you have to bend over to read it. That one looks easy to read. I prefer to have cycles printed on the panel with a pointer on the dial anyway, but they're not set up that way.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Norfolk Southern -

You really need a model number to be searching for a timer. Matching up one by appearance may lead to dissappointment as timers can vary on machines that even look identical, especially between Whirlpool and Kenmore. I think in my last e-mail I said that if you'll get me a model number of the machine, I will look up the exact timer you need.

Gordon

 

[norfolksouthern]

Thanks again for the help, Kenmoreguy64. I sent you an email. For other's reference, the model number is: LFC4900Y0 where Y stands for the color. The stock number is LFC490, where it looks like the last three digits designate the color of the cabinet.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[davek]

Try this link. 365941 maybe?

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=237637

 

[davek]

Try this link. 365941 maybe?

This one is the only one that claimed to be able to get it, and it's $87

http://www.partadvantage.com/store/showpart/10009067
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=237637

 

[kenmoreguy64]

My 1992 Whirlpool catalog says this is a 1978 model, and the timer is part number 357354. It may well sub now to something else. However, I found three of them online through Armstrong's obsolete parts site. One place in Colorado Springs seems to be a great source of these parts and sells obsolete parts cheaply. Let me know if you want their contact info.

Gordon

 

[norfolksouthern]

Drop me an email, Gordon. Any source will help in getting as many parts as I can for this machine.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[davek]

Agitator

I noticed you were looking for an agitator on the thread about my washer. It was mistereric who had an agitator for belt drive portable. Here's a link to his profile.

I watched my machine do a full cycle yesterday. Mine does not do a spray rinse (I wish it did), and I can't tell where the fill comes from, so this machine probably can't spray the clothes.

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-PROFILE_DISPLAY.cgi?display=mistereric

 

[norfolksouthern]

davek: Your machine should spray rinse. Note the baffles on top of the inner tub, just below the ring. Those are used to catch and distribute (spray) the water while it's spinning when it shoots water through the fill valve. At least the one I had would do it three times between the wash and rinse cycle, and it was made in 1995. I think I recall that it would spray once after the start of the final spin.

NorfolkSouthern

 

[norfolksouthern]

New location and it's doing great!

I have just got done moving to the new place, which has a washer/dryer hookup. I decided to test the water temperature solenoid, and believe it or not it works very well! The hard part of this, though, is that I'm finding it increasingly difficult to resist running this machine. Having run some dusting rags through the newer portable, this old belt-drive beat the World Washer hands down, in spite of the smaller capacity. It's as if it had taken and finished the job that the other newer machine started. Increadible!

Apparently, I need a "modern" machine that matches this one in character and performance. Granted, my little belt-drive will certainly need a rest once in a while. I've heard that the new Speed Queens come close, but I really don't know. So, I would like some input from a few recent Speed Queen owners who have also had experience with the old belt-drive Whirlpool. Tough question, I know. But somebody out there must have an answer.

I'll have a photo of the machine, matched up to my Kenmore dryer of the same era as soon as I can find some batteries. The two were just made for each other!

NorfolkSouthern