Whirlpool Imperial Mark 18

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1974-76 Whirlpool Imperial Mark 18 Washer......

@ lovepuppy.....

Oh!!!! This is a Two-Speed Washer..... I thought that this was a Three-Speed like the other TOL Whirlys before it.

Still a nice machine as the same..... I hope you can get it repaired. You got to save THIS gem!!!!

--Charles--
 
 
Charles, this was the last belt-drive model offered with this flexible control arrangement, and the dryer with multiple tumble speeds. Whirlpool dropped back to two tumble and two agitate speeds on this model LDA-9800 and LDE-9800. Previous models had three tumble and agitate speeds.

The next year's LFA-9800 was the first electronic control model, and also brought in the Double-Duty "winged" Surgilator.
 
I am speaking for myself here...You know how some people go nuts over cars and want a vintage car? Its the same for us that love appliances. I always thought I was the only one that loved appliances and always thought I was an oddball. Until I found this great group then I realized that I wasnt alone. Love that set that you have. Get them fixed if you can since the new stuff wont last as long as these have.
 
@ DADoES.....

So then..... was this the machine that you had replaced your 1961 Whirly with????

You grew up with THIS exact machine??? Or was this the TOL Whirly???

--Charles--
 
 
Charles, my parents had an LJA-3200 bought in January 1962, and LME-4600 dryer was bought a little later. It was replaced in June 1976 with an LDA-7800 (Supreme 80). Oh, I wanted a 9800 in the worse way! The matching LDE-7800 dryer replaced the 4600 a year later (NOS that I found at the local Whirlpool dealer, the LFA series had already come out).

Then the 7800 set was replaced in 1994 with a KitchenAid KAWE/KEYE-670 pair that they still have.
 
@ NMass -- I get it. My husband is the same way with cars, basketball teams, and computers.

@ DADo -- your wish is my command -- what parts of the dryer are considered the money shots? I will post pics when I get home later this evening.

While I do not share anyone's expertise, I do share an appreciation for quality and workmanship that just can't be found anywhere anymore these days. And tend to have nostalgia for the way things used to be. Plus I love the nifty retro designs of vintage stuff. My mom still has and uses her first rice cooker from Iran from 40 years ago because none of the newer ones she has purchased over the years work as well.

Don't hate us -- when we gutted our kitchen a year ago, the workers took and either dumped the appliances or stripped them; who knows. All the appliances were original from 75. The dishwasher (Maytag) and cooktop were immaculate and worked perfectly. The oven didn't work. I feel horrible from reading other threads on this board that someone may have wanted to give them a loving home... :(
 
Don't worry lovepuppy (can I use your real name?) not everyone remodeling their kitchen knows if the "old" appliances removed have any value to others. Frankly some don't even care "It's old, no one's going to want it, just put it in the dumpster".

Besides, as much as a lot of us here would love to save every old appliance out there, the reality is you can't save them all.

Dadoes: Yes the green WP washer in the photo you posted is a 1968. I know because it's mine. YAY!

Kevin
 
Lovepuppy and Kevin -

I know that Charles was looking for my reply sooner than now, but I've been traveling this weekend and been getting myself back in gear here.

So, first, YES, what a great looking set, via phone pic or not. They look great.

Personally, I love these machines, and have been having my laundry washed by one model or another similar my entire life. I would not want anything else to be honest, I simply truly enjoy them.

As to this machine, my first thought would be to say the pump for sure is probably bad, and the belt. These are not bad or expensive items to replace just due strictly to age.

However, there are other things that could be causing a leak and a no or slow-drain condition. Kenmore81 is right in that the outlet hose to the manifold trap could be leaking. This is far more common on large capacity machines like yours than standard tup models which have a different outlet hose which seats better.

You could also have a leaking lint filter. If it is clogged and/or cracked, this could be your culprit.

There is a variety of good news with all this as the pump and belt are still out there available from Whirlpool. The outlet hose is not, but they can be found and I know Kevin has one as I directed him to buy one or two recently. Ok....I almost insisted.

The lint filter might be a tough beast (probably NLA), but I saw one on ebay last weekend. These were used by Whirpool only as Kenmore had their own design they liked. Whirlpool's filter is molded as part of the manifold trap, and sometimes shakes loose and makes the outlet hose leak.

If this were my machine and I wanted it to live on a good while yet, I would pull the tub and replace the centerpost grommet (Kevin is familiar) and the tub outlet hose. At the same time, I'd change the belt and the pump. I know Kevin has changed pumps, but a belt too?

This can be a bit of work, but there are folks, including me and Kevin, who'll help. It wouldn't be the first time I was on the phone with Kevin doing mobile washer repair consultations :-)

GOOD luck!

Gordon
 
That is a great shot of the set, and the laundry room too. It looks just like something out of a very familiar television show. The only things missing are Bobby Brady, and the suds.

Have a good one,
James
 
AAAAHAHAHAHAAAA

It is very Brady Bunch -- in fact, we described our house as a Brady Bunch house before we remodeled it. The tiles in the master bath are the same color as the washer / dryer, as was the paint on all the doors. The owners were reaaaaaaally into goldenrod / yellow.

My mom's kitchen before she gutted it had appliances from the 50s -- including a very cool stainless steel oven. Oh well, I hope the parts from these guys were re-incarnated somehow and are living in new homes somewhere.

Dryer pics to follow...

lovepuppy++4-26-2010-22-31-45.jpg
 
Very nice pair and very nice find!
So many memories flood my mind from this pair!
Congratulations!
Brent
 
There IS a service # -- wonder if it's still in service?

I'll call it tomorrow just for kicks -- hopefully I will not be re-routed to a prison or to a telemarketing company...

lovepuppy++4-26-2010-22-37-21.jpg
 
Here's the serial # panel

May as well be sanskrit to me...

Well, hope you enjoyed the pics. Oh -- my name is Natalie. My puppy got spayed this morning so that's why "lovepuppy" popped in my head for a user name.

You guys are great!

lovepuppy++4-26-2010-22-41-22.jpg
 
 
That pic above of the pair is fabulous! My new desktop wallpaper. :-D

If I may be so bold as to request:
- a side-angle shot of the dryer panel oriented from the timer, as you did of the washer
- straight-on shots of the timers and of the auxiliary controls (each half of the console)
- dryer interior
 

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