Vintage Kenmore heater Restoration

MillerMav · May 19, 2013

Good morning everyone!

Yesterday I went garage sale-ing and got a vintage Kenmore heater for my garage. I got it from my buddies neighbor who has been using it for 15 years and has just gotten to old to be out in the garage anymore. But he said it works great and I trust him. Best part of all it was free!

That being said I want to restore it somewhat and go over it to ensure it runs well for another 15-20 years

Here's a pic.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368970855.988520.jpg

So, any tips on what I should replace or look at? Also has anyone taken one of these apart? It looks like its not really bolted together but I would like to get it apart and restore it.

Any advice is welcome!

uniballer · May 19, 2013

Take tons of pictures, inspect wires carefully, also inspect element.

MillerMav · May 19, 2013

uniballer said:
Take tons of pictures, inspect wires carefully, also inspect element.

Yeah I'm going to take a ton of pics tonight so we can get a conversation going.

MillerMav · May 19, 2013

Here are some more pics. I took it apart a bit, not fully. That will have to wait until I have more time to spend on it. The wiring looks a little sketchy and will redo that but the plumbing looks okay as does the heating element. The heat deflector needs replaced but I buy that it worked fine.

casetractorfarmer · May 19, 2013

What is mixed gas

philjafo · May 20, 2013

That thing is in rough shape, not all of the pics are showing up for me but the one with the pilot assembly shows that its more rust then steel. Heat exchangers can't be repaired, if there are any cracks or rust holes any at all, its not safe and must be replaced. If you can find one for it, I doubt anybody's making replacement parts for something that old. Good luck though, it looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Old heaters are like old cars, they look cooler but the new stuff is safer and more fuel efficient.

Socophreak · May 20, 2013

That thing needs love!

Thermocouple can be had at homedepot (rod that pilot flame hits). They put out about 24mV. I've seen pilot assemblies like that on commercial ovens. If you need to replace, will find it there.

Should be a manufacturer part-no on the gas valve if you need to replace it. Although it does look like an RV style gas valve.

Regulators are easily available, any HVAC supply house will have it, they will have thermocouples as well.

The rest of it is just cleaning really, those wires look pretty bad shape, but thats easy.

Sweet little unit, BTW.

MillerMav · May 20, 2013

Pics fixed!

wb2vsj · May 20, 2013

MillerMav said:
...

Any advice is welcome!

Get a CO detector - Seriously, even with a brand spanking new unit everyone should have one if they have a gas heater.

Now that I've got that out of the way - Keep us informed with progress pics. Even if you have to replace most of the guts with modern components, it still a cool unit. :drool:

How are you planning on cleaning the outside? Soda Blasting?

MillerMav · May 20, 2013

wb2vsj said:
How are you planning on cleaning the outside? Soda Blasting?

I'm not sure yet. I gotta get it apart and see what's what. But I will probably send it off to be blasted and then powder coated if possible.

wb2vsj · May 20, 2013

Reason I asked is that sheet metal (I assume that's what the out side is) can be ruined/warped by incorrectly sand blasting it. Soda Blasting is much gentler and will remove the paint OK but may have a harder time removing any deep rust.

HoosierBuddy · May 20, 2013

I'm of a mixed opinion on this thread.

1. I love old stuff, and almost always prefer something old to something new.

2. The heater looks to be past it's useful life and if it fails it could cause a fire, explosion or release toxic CO into your garage...and any of these could kill you.

I guess on the balance, I'd say you should take that to the scrap yard and go buy a new heater. I know that my opinion will likely not disuade you from pursuing this madness....but at least I gave it a shot.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Phil

MillerMav · May 22, 2013

HoosierBuddy said:
I'm of a mixed opinion on this thread.

1. I love old stuff, and almost always prefer something old to something new.

2. The heater looks to be past it's useful life and if it fails it could cause a fire, explosion or release toxic CO into your garage...and any of these could kill you.

I guess on the balance, I'd say you should take that to the scrap yard and go buy a new heater. I know that my opinion will likely not disuade you from pursuing this madness....but at least I gave it a shot.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Phil

I appreciate the feedback for sure. I am going to dig into it a little more over the weekend. I am kind of 50/50 on the project as it stands but it was free so at the time I thought "what the hell I'll take a crack at it". If I am uncomfortable after spending a little more time with it I will just take it to the scrap yard and get some $ for and still profit. Haha!

:beer:

nine4gmc · May 22, 2013

there are only a couple parts inside a heater, I would think you could get replacements for anything that could be a potential problem.

philjafo · May 22, 2013

nine4gmc said:
there are only a couple parts inside a heater, I would think you could get replacements for anything that could be a potential problem.

One part, heat exchanger, its often model specific and can't be repaired. All other parts can be replaced with commonly available universal parts. There's even upgrades available to switch to an intermittent spark ignition pilot.

nine4gmc · May 22, 2013

could a more modern heat exchanger of the same size btu be retrofitted in that housing?

Haveblue · May 22, 2013

You may be able to fabricate a plate for the thermocouple. check here for parts https://www.midwestapplianceparts.com/ Ive had great luck with them in the past. I ordered a gas valve and igniter for my oven from them a few years ago, and it works better than when it was new.

nehog · May 23, 2013

I don't know if this will influence you, but I'd agree: that heater has lived it's life (and then some) and to restore it to safe working condition is likely to cost more than replacing it with a new one.

Vintage Kenmore heater Restoration

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