Maytag pitman trans service

[robbinsandmyers]

Cleaned the case then cracked open the 1974 A806 spare trans I have I want to swap into my 1974 A407 that stains clothes at times. Luckily there wasnt any signs of moisture and water inside. The oil was dark brown. Trouble was it literally was like Hersheys syrup. It was so insanely thick and gooey that the gas I was cleaning it with had trouble dissolving it. Finally got it all cleaned out and I was going to install the Sta-Lube 85W90 in it but I remembered the old oil looked just like the 500W oil I used to put in my Model A Ford trans and smelled like it too. Should I just go ahead and use the 85W90 or find the 500W?

 

[combo52]

Maytag automatic washer, transmission oil

Go with the 90 wait oil, the oil was not originally as thick as you found it.

Maytag used to very poor quality oil in their automatic washer transmissions. It would break down in time and get very thick. It’s one of the reasons they have so much trouble agitating in cold weather.

John

 

[good-shepherd]

or find the 500W?

You're looking at nearly fifty year old trans oil.

I believe new OEM Maytag trans oil is around 90wt.

 

[robbinsandmyers]

Thanks for the input, I'll use the Sta-Lube tomorrow when I button it back up, I have a gasket already and may apply some adhesive to hold it in place. I was working in 35 Deg F weather in the garage and that old oil was literally like hot fudge that was cooling down. Thick, stringy. Very messy stuff to clean up. I removed all the gears etc from inside so I could wash it real good. I was surprised a few gears had surface rust on the sides but were submerged in oil. Prob rusted before they were installed. The parts look to have very little wear at all. Cant wait to put it all back together and hear that machine purr. Ive got new bearings, damper pads, bushings and seals etc for it already.