"Gray Ghost" Maytag wringer washer - finally!

[bradross]

I finally made it to the Hardware Hank store in Early, Iowa while on a 2-1/2 week road trip throughout the mid-west. Bought a model 30 that seems to be in good physical shape but is not running. Now the job of restoring it to hopefully working order. First off, I need the bakelite control knob... any ideas? Then I'll need to get a new motor. Unfortunately, the proprietor, Dick, doesn't have the inventory he once had. Some of you may remember a thread showing his yard FULL of old wringer washers.

 

[qsd-dan]

Motor

If it's an original GE motor, those are very reliable. Take it apart and see if the brushes are still good.

 

I scored a 1921 Model 80 that sat for over 50 years. Still had the original GE motor. Filled up both oil ports with turbine oil and let it soak in while I installed a new cord. Fired right up and ran very quiet and smooth.

 

Finding the Bakelite knob might be chore, but I see parts for those Model 30's on Ebay quite often.

 

[mickeyd]

HI Brad, HI Dan

You've heard of Phil from Ovid NY, I imagine?

 

They say he has everything and an attitude to match.

 

Sells and ships through ebay, if memory serves. His phone and email are available in one of the threads.

 

 

 

[launderall]

Ford Model A

If I remember right the transmission gear shift is the same knob Ford used on the Model A. I was Maytag know it all, and remember I thought they were the same. Check out on EBAY.

 

[qsd-dan]

<a name="start_42096.619937">If I remember right the transmission gear shift is the same knob Ford used on the Model A.</a>

 

Wow, now that you mention it, I think it was!

 

It sure looks the same as the gear shift knob in my grandfathers old '32 Model A.

 

[stan]

Brad

Think Dans got the right idea about the motor! get it apart and check, Sure would hurt to try!
Your going to show pics, right LOL

 

[eddy1210]

Wow, what a trip Brad!  I'll have to come over and see it, I'll call you this weekend.

 

[wringer]

Hi Brad,

I am envious of your new find !!! I have an outlet for Maytag parts from a Father and Son Amish restorer's. They may just possibly have something you need. They have over 200 white E, J and N's that they will restore and sell. I know they have an older round model and also a "grey ghost" but don't know if they have any parts. If you need something that the famous Phil does not have they may have it. As stated above, Phil is a great guy. I have bought lots of parts from him and he is a wealth of knowledge and very nice. If you need Phil's phone numbers or email let me know and I will forward them to you. Also, let me know if down the road you have a part you can't find and I will see if I can help you out from the Amish. Best of luck in your restoration.

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

Thanks, Jim

I couldn't remember which member knew both Tag men contacts, Phil in Ovid and the Amish guys in Shelby. I'll remember henceforth. Couldn't be any easier.

 

Duh! and Doi! ummmmm WRINGER, lol

 

I need a new foot (wheel &stud) for the Cadillac.

 

[wringer]

???

New foot for the Cadillac???????????????? That went over my head LOL. I need further splanation as Ricky would say LOL

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

Jim

How bout a "low-jical splanation," as that crazy Cuban would say. The machines have names: Commander, etc. Even the Blue Bell has a military name. I don't know them, so I just call my TOL a cadillac: you know, chrome switch, aluminmum crown, pump, hinged lid, the Caddy of the Maytags.

 

The machine is held up on one leg by a nice brick because one of the legs is missing a wheel, and the stump that slides into the leg. High time I broke down and got a new "foot" or tire is probably what I should have called it for my cadillac. If someone reveals the military names, I'll learn them this time.

 

dddddricky dddddricardo.

 

[wringer]

LOL

The E is the Master, the J is the Commander and the N is the Chieftain. Please don't ask me why they were named as such. It is much easier to just say E, J and N and of course the NX or Blue Belle (which I want badly !!!!). LOL
Again, it went right over my head until you splaned it .

Jim

 

[gansky1]

You were this close and didn't stop?? Awww, it would have been fun to meet you and see the Hardware Hank again. Did he say what happened to his inventory? He used to have a huge storage "warehouse" a few blocks from the store, did he show you that? Perhaps that's gone now, they had a pretty bad storm and tornado a couple of years ago and it's been ages since I've been up there.

There are lots of these Gray Ghost washers still around, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding the parts you need.

 

[qsd-dan]

Just in case the motor is a lost cause...

http://saltlakecity.craigslist.org/clt/3173739609.html

 

[bradross]

Great info everybody!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and info! I'll keep you all updated with the restoration progress. Also, will post some pics when I get home. Eddy - I see I missed your call. I'll call you Tuesday. Greg - sorry I was pressed for time and couldn't stop on Omaha... I did think about it since I was so close. Hopefully another time.

 

[bradross]

Update on the restoration of the Model 30

Amazingly, as Dan suggested, the motor fired right up after spraying some "Liquid Wrench" around the pulley and drive shaft. This particular motor is marked "Maytag - Mfg for the Maytag Company built by Delco Products Corp., Div. of General Motors Corp, Dayton, Ohio".

The original belt is still serviceable, although a little frayed. Not bad for 79 years! After cleaning the pulleys and lubricating a few points, the agitator works just fine. However...potential big problem with the wringer gear assembly. The drive shaft for the lower wringer is seized. I'm trying to loosen it up with Liquid Wrench. Also, the hexagonal drive shaft on the bottom roller is stripped - not sure how I'm going to deal with that, short of sourcing a new roller. I'm going to check with a local machine shop to see if it can be repaired.

I've ordered a new bakelite knob from a dealer on eBay - the same as on a Ford Model A gear shift!

Photos and video of the restoration will be in a new Flickr album ... link attached.

Maytag Model 30 wringer washer restoration.

Documenting the restoration of a vintage 1935 Maytag wringer washer. Purchased August, 2012 from Hardware Hank in Early, Iowa. This machine had been left outside in the elements for unknown decades. Initially, the motor did not run when plugged in, but after loosening it up with some Liquid...

www.flickr.com

 

[bradross]

Video of new acquisition - Model 30 "Gray Ghost"

For anybody interested, I've posted a preliminary video of the Model 30 I recently acquired.

I'll post another video soon, showing the agitator in operation.

 

[bradross]

Part 2 - Restoration Video

Hello everybody...just did a second video of the restoration process, showing the old washer in action!

 

[stan]

So far so good!

Nice little project Brad.

Motor sounds great!

I'll be waiting to see more.