Thread: 1970's Sears water heaters still kickin'!!

Did an inspection earlier this week and was surprised to find 2 70's Sears Water Heaters model numbers 183.326011 and 183.326111 and the client stated that he has had no problem with either of them.

Anyway to find the exact age of these? Not much info online that I could find. Only other info on the tag was a section that says "Expires" 09/79

There was some corrosion and rust on the bottom so I advised him the end could be near.

Amazing these things were still working.

He also stated that he has never flushed them as well.....

I'll bet there was a 6 year warranty, such as is standard today. That would mean they were new in '73.

I'll bet they are on well water, no chlorine. I come across a relic like that now and then out in the boonies. It is a bit of a mystery. Maybe there is a film that coats the insides of the tank, like algae in a fish tank?

Originally Posted by John Kogel

I'll bet there was a 6 year warranty, such as is standard today. That would mean they were new in '73.

I'll bet they are on well water, no chlorine. I come across a relic like that now and then out in the boonies. It is a bit of a mystery. Maybe there is a film that coats the insides of the tank, like algae in a fish tank?

Sounds about right, house was built in 1974 and yes, they are on a well.

I inspect some real old homes, seen quite a few old water heaters from 1940's and older that are still in use and working. Many are the Seidelhuber brand that was made in Seattle, WA.

I'll bet the anode rod is long gone.

Originally Posted by Jack Feldmann

I'll bet the anode rod is long gone.

As a young non-union plumber in 1962 I worked for a couple of guys that were contracting the installation of Sears Water Heaters and we would also replace the gas control valves on floor furnaces with B-60 valves that allowed for a thermostat control on the wall inside the home. Anyway the guys I worked for received $11.00 as I remember for me to install a 20 Gallon WH. It took anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to do the installation. Nearly all of these were piped with galvanized materials, not copper, here in So. Calif. I was earning $1.75 per hour.... It's known as inflation..
Later in 1963 I was able to join the Union and my wages were dramatically higher.

Originally Posted by Loren Sanders Sr.

As a young non-union plumber in 1962 I worked for a couple of guys that were contracting the installation of Sears Water Heaters and we would also replace the gas control valves on floor furnaces with B-60 valves that allowed for a thermostat control on the wall inside the home. Anyway the guys I worked for received $11.00 as I remember for me to install a 20 Gallon WH. It took anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to do the installation. Nearly all of these were piped with galvanized materials, not copper, here in So. Calif. I was earning $1.75 per hour.... It's known as inflation..
Later in 1963 I was able to join the Union and my wages were dramatically higher.

Loren you could buy a new car for $4000, a good used one for $500 and a house for $20,000. A cup of coffee was 25 cents and a refill was free.

Those really old tanks are copper and they need new TPR valves installed, but otherwise good to go.
But a 1973 tank would be steel IMO, because that was the era of Al wiring and high copper prices.

At least once a month I'll see one that old here. Once or twice a year I will see one from the early 1950's still chugging along. Our water chemistry must be helpful as many people moving here say they would never be able to keep one going that long.

Michael,
Here is a link to look up the age using the serial number.

WATER HEATER AGE INFO | Building Intelligence Center

I had a water heater from the early 70's in our old house. I finally took it two years ago because i made it into a rental and thought it would be easier to replace when it's not an emergency. Funny thing is when i bought the place i expected that to be the first thing to go and it worked just fine when i pulled it out two years ago.

Originally Posted by Bob Wisnewski

Michael,
Here is a link to look up the age using the serial number.

WATER HEATER AGE INFO | Building Intelligence Center

Thanks, it's a 1974...

I wonder if Rheem honors the Seidelhuber lifetime guaranteed water heaters??

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