thumper questions are never unwelcome
Dan,
Just ask any and all questions you want! I won't touch the Maytag vs. 'real' Frigidaire question but we all have a warm spot in our hearts for the thumpers. In the end, both wonderful brands ended up with horrible new owners. Which fate is worse, White or Whirlpool, gah - 'twere better both had died an honorable death.
One small warning. If you lift the top, be very careful of the fill hose. At some point in the 1960's, GM used a material for that hose which not only cracked very easily, but also was extremely flammable (a long story, but working in college dorms, you see everything). The pump housing at the bottom of the motor is also easily cracked.