Maytag 160 Gets a New Lease on Life

[gansky1]

For those at the convention, you may remember we found a Maytag all-pushbutton washer, model 160 from 1960 along with a 1959 model 641 dryer in gas. I've been spending time on the washer - replaced the leaking tranny with a good one, rebuilt the water valve, replaced every bit of rubber in the machine, new tub bearings, shaft seals, belts and hours upon hours of cleaning and detailing. Finally, last night I was able to move it downstairs and install it properly. I love this washer!!

 

[gansky1]

Inside

 

[gansky1]

Love the sloshing over the agitator!

 

[gansky1]

For safety's sake:

A lid switch stops all action when the lid is raised and the tub light illuminates the interior!

 

[toggleswitch]

What a cool machine!
It must now be better than new.
Love the hidden timer advacce/cycle cancel button.

 

[tlee618]

Greg, that is one beautiful machine. As usual you did a fantastic job on the restoration. It looks like the day it was delivered to some lucky person. Given the current events with Maytag this machine will be even more special as the years go on. Terry

 

[gyrafoam]

Such a beautiful machine! Clean and elegant. Now you can have all three 'tags going! Ooops------make that four 'tags counting the wringer! Fun, fun, fun!

 

[powerfin64]

BEAUTIFUL!!

can you show a close up of the row of buttons?

Rich

 

[appnut]

Rich, the buttons are Wool, Delicate, Wash 'n' Wear, Whites full load, Whites partial load, Colors full load, Colors half load, Bright Colors, Rinse, and Spin.

Three ain't nuttin' like that slosh-over washin' Soooo Maytag.

Greg, another priceless, loving masterpiece you've created.

 

[golittlesport]

Beautiful machine, Greg. You've done another wonderful job! But I cannot believe that the lid switch is still working. I thought the first thing you would have done is to "fix" that. :-D

 

[appnut]

Richie, the 906's lid switch still "works" like from the factory. We put stuff behind the lit at the convention to watch it run.

 

[swestoyz]

Great Job!

The machine looked good during the convention, now, it looks fantastic! Nothing woo's my heart like a row of Maytag push buttons, and this machine does it. I have a lot to learn from you Greg, and I enjoy watching these beauties come from your lab. I'm looking forward to seeing this machine again, and thanks for the shots ~

Ben

 

[maytagbear]

Fabulous!

What a great restoration.

Thanks for sharing.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[filterflo]

Beautiful washer Greg, you did another great job on it. Does the dryer have the glass panels on the back too? Didnt realize that they made the pushbutton washer in 1960. Was this the first year for pushbuttons?

 

[foraloysius]

Wonderful job Greg!! This machine looks brand new!! Lucky housewife who got this as a new machine in 1960. I'm sure you know how she felt!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Overflow Wash

Well done for all the hard work Greg

Elegant & Timeless Classic, great to see a machine resored for another 45+yrs..

Did Maytags always fill to the top of the agitator??

 

[spiraclean]

Hi Greg,
That is one beautiful machine, I wish you good health and happy Maytag washing.

All the best.
Hugh

 

[mayken4now]

Hi Greg

I did not make the convention, However, your machine is so perfect. I like perfect and clean!!!! so, are your ready to let me have your A906's???????????????

LOL Steve

 

[geoffdelp]

Wow, Greg ... what a GORGEOUS machine!!! You did an excellent job on it. It does look brand spanking new!!! I love how the agitator is almost covered with water.

Congrats on great find!! It's fun having this bit of history that just keeps working and working ...

 

[gansky1]

Thanks everyone for the comments, it's fun to be able to share these machines with you guys who appreciate them! It was fun and nerve racking working on this machine - I had nightmares of breaking the glass panel the whole time! Other than the long-stroke transmission parts, most of the parts are still available for these mechanisms so it makes it easier to work on. I love new parts in the bag!

I didn't bypass the lid switch because it's an integral part of the off-balance switch. If the switch isn't working, the machine also can't be shut off without pulling the plug. The lid and switch are a little different and the spacing isn't quite the same as my 906 so the 1/2 clothespin trick doesn't work. I'll need to get a small piece of wood to use for lid-up enjoyment.

Jimmy, this was the first year for pushbuttons on the washers but oddly, Maytag didn't come out with the pushbutton dryer until a few years later. I have the matching electronic control dryer (electric) coming in a couple of weeks so will have the set - we do love our "sets"!!

I remember my grandmothers Highlander filling all the way to the top of the agitator but my pink Highlander doesn't quite get that high. Just variances in water level switches I suppose but I love the sloshing!

 

[customline]

I love it !

A great factory fresh resto. Enjoy.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wow, Greg its just beautiful. I was glad a few of us were there when you found it. One of the more rare Maytags indeed. I also love how high the machine fills!

 

[peterh770]

I wonder why all Greg's Maytags fill so high... Hmmmmmm....

 

[westytoploader]

Great work!!!

Wow, nice is an understatement...this 'Tag looks showroom new!! Love the sloshing action...I've seen this on a few coin-ops before as well. Will the yardstick trick work with this lidswitch?

I didn't even realize ya'll had it running at the Convention! Then again, I made the mistake of not catching a lot of 'Tag action either...

Where will the 50 Hz '66 be going?

 

[Agiflaw]

beautiful job

My hat's off to you Greg,.....what can one say, this site just goes to show how truly dedicated the many of you are about the classics.

In this forum everybody wins. Thanks once again for all the time and dedication it takes to keep these classics rolling along.

The talented people here make it great for all of us, in light of recent events at Maytag, it's great to know this company left such a wonderful legacy. Once again to all of you restorers......
THANK YOU!!!!

pat

 

[Agiflaw]

beautiful job

My hat's off to you Greg,.....what can one say, this site just goes to show how truly dedicated the many of you are about the classics.

In this forum everybody wins. Thanks once again for all the time and dedication it takes to keep these classics rolling along.

The talented people here make it great for all of us, in light of recent events at Maytag, it's great to know this company left such a wonderful legacy. Once again to all of you restorers......
THANK YOU!!!!

pat

 

[Designgeek]

Amazing work, Greg, that machine looks like it was made yesterday.

These must have made a big hit when they came out. Press one button. Not even the need to pull out a knob and turn to the right spot. Remember the old phrase "pushbutton convenience"...? Or even "just press a button..." Since then we've gotten spoiled with our ubiquitous (and confusing) remote controls and touchscreen panels and all that. The definitive "ker-chunk!" of mechanical controls at least reminds you that there's *electricity* under the hood!

 

[peteski50]

Maytag!

Amazing Greg,
Real cool maytag
Best of Luck with it.
Peter

 

[gansky1]

High-dee-high, high-dee-ho....

My grandmother's highlander filled this high - I don't know why some do and some don't! Reach up, give your self a slap and then bid on that AMP, Peter!

This machine had a funny thing wrong with the timer - the spray rinse should be 30 seconds long but this one was literally a spit-rinse (on, then immediately off again) so I had to change out the timer and now it works perfectly! No more water saving around here now!

And yes, Jon, I just happen to have had the timer IN STOCK!! Found it in my travels you know ;-)

 

[jimmyb]

Wow!!!

Love the older Maytags especially with the lighted panel! Great job!!