A Second Chance for a Rusty Maytag A408

[lowefficiency]

A few weeks ago however, the A408 developed a squealing sound from the water valve, which was fairly benign until it worsened into a flutter that caused a water hammer oscillation this past week.

I took the valve assembly apart, cleaned it, ensured it was free of debris in the screens and ports in the diaphragms, and re-assembled. I also cleaned the electrical contacts. This unfortunately wasn't enough to resolve the issue, and it appears that Maytag declared these valves "non-serviceable", so replacement diaphragms are not available. I'll have to replace the entire valve.
(See my other thread here: https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?90830_0~1)

In the meantime, I've swapped the wiring and hoses, so that the "bad" valve is on the hot side instead of the cold, so the machine can continue being used for cold/cold washes. The injector hose leaked on reassembly, but it seems fine now after cutting off a half-inch (so it's fresh hose over the barb).

 

[maytag85]

LowEfficiency

Do you happen to have a Maytag 808 dryer or happen to know anyone who has one? Will need it for a special project I am working on.

 

[lowefficiency]

No unfortunately, if I had one of those control panels, I'd be doing the same project you are! (And the same for this washer if an A806 console was available.)

 

[maytag85]

Reply #32

You probably saw the thread of the Maytag A806 I acquired about 2 weeks ago, but I am going to try to put a customized Maytag Halo Of Heat dryer together with low and regular temperature selections and a auto dry timer (once I obtain a 408 auto dry timer). Low is going to be 120F and regular/high is going to be 155F which will give me some flexibility since a majority of Maytag HOH dryers made from 1966 to 1975 only came with one temperature. Probably will dry fairly quick with a 155F thermostat when on the regular drying temperature.

 

[goatfarmer]

I have an A 806 console. Missing the timer for sure. I have no need for it,  available.

 

[maytag85]

Goatfarmer

Do you happen to have a Maytag 808 dryer console?

 

[lowefficiency]

I'm interested, I'll send you a PM! Thanks!

 

[goatfarmer]

No dryer console.

 

 

[maytag85]

Reply #37

Not in the greatest rush to find a Maytag 808 control panel, just want to locate one as soon as I can but again not in the greatest rush to find one. Not far from having a Maytag A806 set since all I have to do is put a lighted panel in the DE306 console and will have an 806 set.

 

[goatfarmer]

No dryer consoles. Here is the A806 I have. Chrome has some pitting, missing a bank of switches. And the timer.

 

[lowefficiency]

The A806 panel from Kenny has arrived! It looks great - just the right amount of patina, and the glass and lamp holders are intact. He was nice enough to include all of the machine wiring too, which gives me a huge head start on my project. Thanks Kenny!!

Now I just have to decide which path to take - Do I swap the A408 timer and switches over, wire in the lamp, and have the worlds fanciest rusty A408/A806 hybrid? Hunt for more original parts to make a "real" A806? Or springboard from this to something completely unique- the "hotrod" approach? hmmm....

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I think you should Hotrod it, it’ll be a fun experience, Or you could go with the hybrid option, they’ve already got a lot of cars that are hybrids so why not make your washer one too?

 

[maytag85]

I’d just try to make it an A806. Since you have a Maytag DE806, might as well make it an A806 since you will have a Maytag A806 set. I am not far off from having a Maytag A806 set myself but still on the lookout for a Maytag 808 console from the late 70’s.

 

[qsd-dan]

All you need is the motor speed switch bank and one button for the water level switch. Here's the switch bank.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384966750368?hash=item59a1ce70a0:g:hMkAAOSw7lRitLIt

 

[qsd-dan]

Wow, there was a timer up just a couple of days ago. Looks like someone swiped it.