1971 Maytag washer and dryer find in Avocado!

[drh4683]

I've been on the search for a matched pair of Maytag center dials in shaded Avocado since I bought my 1st house over 2 years ago. I'm currently using my 1973 Frigidaire 1-18's as the main machines for over 1 year now and so far those have been working great. While I really enjoy those, I've always wanted a nice pair of Maytag center dials as I've heard that they are great machines that "last forever"

So I finally found a set this weekend at an estate sale in the color I wanted. I've seen various center dials every now and then when I go to the estates, but they were usually beat up and quite a bit of wear. These ones I got this weekend look like they were hardly ever used and no signs of rust on the bottom edge or wear anywhere on the controls.

The washer is a model A407 and the dryer is a model DE606. Both are from 1971. The dryer date code is "MQ"(July '71) and the washer is "MS"(August '71). Sitting on top of the dryer was the envelope with all the original manuals and papers for both machines.

Even though my ranch has an full basement, my laundry room happens to be upstairs next to the kitchen which is really nice. That being said it was important to find nice condition machines as they are basically no different than kitchen appliances as they are seen by anyone who comes into the house. When my house was built (1964) they set it up so that the laundry room could run either a gas or 220 which is nice.

I don't claim to be any kind of expert on these machines (I'm better known as a vintage TV guy), but can you guys tell me what the difference is between an A407 and an A606? Is the 407 a lower end machine, or is it just a difference in capacity? I figured when these were bought new, they would both be "606" units as I was most familiar with the 606 and 806 model numbers. I never knew of the 407 until just yesterday when I found these. Either way, I've heard that these are great machines for durability and the mechanism is pretty simple and good parts availability making them good daily run machines. Just curious if there are any maintenance pointers you guys have for these machines. For one, I've heard that its important to check the bottom of the maytag washers and be on the look out for leaking trans oil. For the record, this one is bone dry underneath.

Also how about DE606 dryer? Its electric of course, it also has the "electronic" moisture sensor to shut off when the clothes are dry. Is that set up pretty reliable set up?
Any other maintenance pointers for these that I should know of would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to learn as much as I can about these units. I'm kind of a beginner to washers and dryers here, but have no problem working on machines if need be.

Thanks all!

 

[drh4683]

close up...

 

[drh4683]

inside the A407 washer

 

[drh4683]

Inside the DE606 dryer

 

[drh4683]

Bottom of the A407 washer

 

[drh4683]

The original manuals etc.

 

[whirlcool]

Wow! Those are absolutely mint. Did you have to clean them up any at all?
BTW, love that 1960 Chevrolet Impala in the garage.

 

[rp2813]

Looks to me that you have the larger capacity machine since the agitator has four rows of slots in it and there are four buttons for water level.

 

I get lost when the last digit is a "7" instead of a "6" where Maytags are concerned.   It appears the 407 has all the options you'd need for cycle selection and load size, so maybe it's the lack of deluxe things like bleach dispenser and tub light that make it different from a 606.

 

Regardless, that is a beautiful low-mileage pair of machines that should serve you well for many, many years.  Nice score!

 

[wayupnorth]

You took the words right out of my mouth, whirlcool. They are a very nice looking pair and large capacity too. The fins on the beautiful '60 Impala bring back alot of memories also.

 

[twintubdexter]

How can I concentrate on those Maytags with that beautiful 1960 Chevrolet stealing the show in the background. You should have closed that garage door!

 

[appnut]

The 407 is the same as what was used in Maytag Laundries, their toploaders.  It's a 1-speed machine and the 3 buttons just to the right of the timer select fabric type.  Regular, permanent press (which has a cool down process between the wash and rinse and a shortened final spin) and delicate (which has a combination of short agitation periods and soak periods during the 10 minute wash cycle-each agitation phase in wash is like one or two minutes and is best to use full water level always).  I believe the rinse agitation is also shorter.  There is also a 30 minute soak cycle on this machine.  A very nice machine.  The 606 dryer is electroic control.  Drying temperature is considered "all-fabric" but reality is it's the low-heat setting on Maytag dryters with the multiple heat/air buttons.  Dial settings are regular fabrics, permanent press, damp dry, and air fluff.  Perm Press has a 7 to 10 minute cool down and also is used for lo0ads which you would preser "more dry".  Regular has a 3-5 minute cool down.  Damp dry is just that for clothes whjich need to be ironed but still left dry.  This dryer has a nice pleasant bell to ring to let yuou know the dryer is finished.  On perm press cycle it dings several times during the cool down process.  Very accurate electronic sensor dryer.  The washer has the big-load, large wash tub capacity compared to the stgd. 14 pound capacity machiune.  They won't hold quite as much ass your 1/18 in my opinion, but it's not too much different.  You do noit want to overload a Maytag, will reduce load turnover.  Simply read the user manuals for both, they're qujite straight forward.  Hope this helps.  Enjoyed your Chevy drive videos on youtube too.

 

[pulltostart]

Bob's correct about the A407.  I had one once upon a time and it's a large-capacity, single-speed model with some flexibility built into those right buttons.  It is actually a great machine!

 

Now - back to that Impala.  You really <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must </span>provide some better photos of that baby.  My first automobile was a 1960 Impala SportSedan in turquoise and white, so I can relate to that car.

 

lawrence

 

[rinso]

OMG!  The 1960 Chevrolet Impala has always been my favorite car.  IIRC, it is also one of the widest passenger vehicles ever built. If they could have only gotten the optional smooth and powerful TurboGlide transmission to be more reliable. 

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice washer/dryer!

 

[circlew]

Nice Maytag set; look showroom new.

The '60 Chevrolet looks beautiful, too. Is it Black, or another dark color?

 

[toploader55]

Avocado Set... Stunning.

Can we get at that Impala Please ???

Holy Crap is that a beautiful Car or what ???

Eddie

 

[stan]

Very nice Maytags

Use to have a set in copper/brown very much like these, but the tub was not white? Don't know what model I had, but they where still running when I gave them away.

Also use to have a 66 Impala SS convertible. would love to see more of the car! maybe a different thread?
Is a SS?
Convertible ?

 

[appnut]

YouTube of Chevy

Here is the link for the first part of the video I mentioned above.

 

[pulltostart]

Bob - Oh YEAH!!! Thanks for the link to the video. Boy does that bring back memories. I've always thought the '60 Impala carried that Fisher body roof the best of all the 1960 GM's. That roof plus the fins on the rear make that car zoom when it's standing still.

lawrence