1964 Maytag A500 Super Highlander parts needed

[robbinsandmyers]

Hi folks. A friend gave me a 64 A500 yesterday that needs some help. Looks like the timer motor is bad along with the starting capacitor ( I have to spin the belts to get it going) in the motor and the motor may be tired also. The spin basket has rust from sitting 5 years with water in the tub. Does anyone have a good used spin basket, timer and motor for sale plus an agitator because Im sure this will have to be destroyed to be removed. Thanks.

 

[swestoyz]

Highlanders used three different MFG's for timers. If you post a picture of the timer it will help to determine which motor/escapement is needed for your timer.

I also believe the motor leads from the timer are the same and the capacitor was probably added at one point to help the motor, depending on various conditions. You should be able to swap in any two-speed motor from a Helical Maytag made after 1959, that uses the motor glide carriage. It might be easiest to find yourself a 70's two speed Maytag standard capacity as a donor machine.

As for the agitator you are correct that it is probably stuck. If so, I'd suggest using the agitator and wash tub from a donor machine (the suggested 70's Maytag mentioned earlier).

Let us know how your resto comes along!

Ben

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Good news and bad

Thanks for the info Ben. The good news is the timer is working now after a bad connection so I oiled all the gears and shafts etc. I also drilled a 1/2" hole in the top of the agitator and sprayed Kroil down into it and let it soak all day giving it a few smacks with a block of wood down the center and a hammer. She came off with a small fight but intact. I'll just J B Weld the hole closed if I get this machine back together. I broke the lock ring off and took the spin basket out after removing the top. Now the bad news. The spin tub has rust holes on the bottom. I may be able to J B Weld them but the motor will need replacing and old Maytags are impossible to find around here. Im hoping someone on here has a good used motor for sale and maybe a spin basket. Did these motors have a start winding or built in capacitor?

 

[swestoyz]

Maytag motors use a centrifugal switch to transition between the start and run windings. I know the Maytag service lit mentions adding a capacitor in line with the motor for locations with current issues, so it's rare to see them.

Ben

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Time to play taps for old A500

Well its looks like theres gonna be one less A500 in the world after today. I removed the top cover off the motor to find a couple of wires in the start winding burnt and open. Something must have jammed and locked the motor up to do that. With the badly rotted spin basket also its just not worth putting that much money into. I'd rather spend it on a clean A800 series top of the line heavy duty machine. I will save the timer and all push button controls and stainless lint filter plus the bakelite agitator I was able to salvage although it has a small hole in the top where I sprayed Kroil onto the trans shaft to help it break loose. It can be J B Welded closed. All these parts are free as a lot to whoever wants them for their machines. You just pay shipping. Im going to remove the trans and replace the seals and oil and use it in my A407 because that ones getting noisy on agitate, sounds like gears. I may save the pump also. Im hoping this trans fits because its whisper quiet. Anything anyone wants off this let me know. Its going to the scrapper in a day or so.

 

[swestoyz]

You can't save them all.  It sounds like it may have been a uphill battle.  Hopefully you find your 806 set sometime!

 

Ben

 

[robbinsandmyers]

I know its a shame I had high hopes for it. Too bad my friend let it sit 4 years with water in it. If it was just a motor I would have done it. But the heavy rust and rot of the spin basket plus motor, seals etc wasnt worth it. I removed the trans which wasnt too bad just involved. Will it work in my 1974 A407? I bought a couple of upper trans seals but I see the bottom has no seal. I also have a new tub bearing kit and seal when the time comes. The tub bronze bearing still fits snug on the sleeve with almost no wear after all these years its amazing. I still have to buy a brake package spanner and lower trans bearing for when I do the job. If I can if it fits. Im also going to change the trans oil beforehand. Should I go with the 600w or 90w?? My basement gets cold in winter and the trans is slow agitating at first until that oil gets warm. Im not sure 90w wont leak out the bottom.

 

[swestoyz]

Unfortunately the whole transmission won't work in the A407. What WILL work is everything with the exception of the bottom housing and drive shaft, but note the gearset in the A500 will produce a slower agitation stroke (52 OPM vs. 63). The A500 was a standard capacity and your A407 is a large capacity and uses a shorter transmission. I'd keep the A500 trans around for the top half in case you need a spare down the road.

All 1957-1985 Helical Drive Maytag transmissions have an o-ring seal for the drive shaft in the lower housing, only accessible by disassembling the entire transmission. It truly is the achilles heel of a Maytag as they often dry up and become brittle over time allowing oil to leak.

A while back the group had a good discussion on over-the-counter replacement oil for Maytag gear cases. A buddy tried out Red Line MT-90 and had high praises of it. It is a GL-4 synthetic and is safe for all materials in the Maytag transmission. Give it a try!

https://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Just thinking out loud here, but would it be possible to put the entire cabinet from your washer, onto an 06 chassis? I know the 06 has the front panel removable, while the 500 series has a back removable.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sadly the A500 is stripped and gone. Spin tub just too rotted ( large holes in bottom near center made it weak) and start winding burnt out in motor. I did strip and save the trans ( ran perfect and quiet) , timer, push button controls, agitator, brake unit from it. Does anyone have a used trans for mine in great shape for sale or swap for this stuff? I also need a timer for mine it stops in the first rinse cycle but restarts fine if I touch the timer knob and continues on till the load is done. I did buy a new timer ( 204889) but its wrong I would really like to find an A8XX series for sale in New England if I could.