MOVING A MAYTAG E2L

[e2l-arry]

REPLY THREE HUNDRED!

WOW! This is the 300th post to this thread. It looks like there's good news! I got the pump in and working. It connects to the flywheel in the "ON" position and cuts off in the "OFF" I haven't actually discharge water, but it does connect and I can feel air flow from the impeller when ON so I'm confident it's a good pump.

After the pump I re-installed the tub. It did seem a little tricky getting it lined up just right and I was very cautious before tightening it down. But it looked like a did get a good even fit to the gasket.

Here's a picture of the now working pump. To the pump, to the pump, to the pump, pump, pump!

 

[e2l-arry]

And now the tub!

After a couple of tries, I was satisfied with the positioning of the tub and tightened it down. Next step? Add water and PRAY! It looked pretty good but after 20 minutes I spotted about 3 drops of water. I went under the washer with a flashlight determined to find the source. The seal all the way around the tub was completely dry so I did get a good seal around the rubber gasket. I was able to spot the sole drip from one of the 2 bolts that connects the center plate to the power unit. So,with water still in the tub I got my socket wrench and gave it a feel. It could have used a little more torque so I gave it a twist. I was very cautious of over tightening so this was a bolt I misjudged. The good new there was that after I tweaked it down a little more there hasn't been another drop and it's been over an hour.

Also of interest is that since the refurb, the transmission hasn't seized up at all.

So, after 8 and 1/2 weeks and 301 posts, I may, just may, have finally gotten this old machine in working condition.

The next test will be wash day on Saturday

 

[stan]

"refurb of the transmission, hasn't seized up at all

Just keeping track,

Did you use the ebay trans ,or your original?

Great job Larry!

 

[e2l-arry]

I used the Ebay one

Because that one was in better shape. No loose metal floating around in it and no chipped tooth on the worm wheel or anywhere else. I don't know if that chipped tooth is what would occasionally get it hung up, or if that's even possible but I didn't want to chance it. I've had this one on a lot the last 2 night and it runs quietly, smoothly and it doesn't freeze up. I can actually leave the room without worrying about burning up a belt.

I spent so much time underneath it checking for leaks, I took a picture. It's bottom view hasn't looked this good in YEARS! No water, no oil or grease, I'm not sure this is mine!

 

[qsd-dan]

The light at the end of the tunnel is visibly apparent! Sending good wishes that it completely behaves itself from now on.

 

[wringer]

Coffee and education time again Larry,

I am so very envious of you at both your ability to take on this task and your perseverance. You did a job that would put the Amish to shame maybe. So glad you joined the club and shared your rebuild with us. With some help from Geoff and the others and your staying with the project have been very interesting reading for all of us Wringer fans. Waiting to hear about how you did on washday. Best !!!!

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

In full agreement with Jim.

Those pics are Newton, Iowa-perfect! I'm sure we'd love to see pics of her in operation, especially the minty pump, in your signature close-ups.

 

Admiring your patient wait till Saturday. I would not be able to wait that long, unless you must, for sealing and drying purposes.

 

[e2l-arry]

I have to wait Mike,

I'm not done yet. I'm still working on some cosmetiticals, as Lisa Douglas would say. Tonight I wet sanded the skirt and buffed it with the Meguiar's fine cut. It's like a liquid rubbing compound, a little less abrasive. I used my electric car buffer and it really polished it up! So I did the same to the lid and put it back on. Of course, the legs and corners had to be done by hand. Tomorrow night I have a work related dinner and won't have a chance to do much of anything.

I'm having a terrible time with the decals. I got the second replacement red patent decal for the back. This time I slid it off as instructed and it was still brittle and broke into pieces on me. I kind of pieced it on the back like a puzzle but it's far from perfect. But it's an old machine so the decal gives it an aged look. Some corner chunks missing. I had the same problem with the ON OFF for the pump lever. The 2 F's in OFF are a little offset because that's where that one slit. If I had a "do over", I'd skip the decals.

Maybe Friday night I'll put the wringer back on and roll it back to it's home in the laundry room. Put some water in it, test the agitator and pump. Make sure these's no water leaks, oil leaks or old lady fart sounds. There shouldn't be any issues, there weren't last night but I didn't plug it in either, THEN!!! it's GO TIME! Probably Saturday maybe Friday night, depending on the timing.

I think I got it this time but if anything goes wrong, you KNOW I'll be posting here.

The moment of truth! How exciting! Nine week it took me. Who'd a thunk it?

Larry

Larry

 

[wringer]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

the suspense is killing me !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Waiting here with baited breath Larry.

I would have never "thunk" it at all. But the end result is worth thunking about !!!

Best

Jim

 

[e2l-arry]

I got home as early

As I could tonight. I waxed the washer and wringer AFTER last night's buffing. It looks good. AND if I'm reading the label on the wax bottle correctly, I can take my washer through the car wash 40 times and the finish will still bead up!

I tried to re-stage the original picture form 2 months ago today. My lap top is in the background for that reason.

I also cut about 14" from the drain hose. From where it is situated from the laundry tub, I didn't need the slack. So away with it!

 

[e2l-arry]

Next,

I moved it over to the laundry room, which is to be it's home. I plugged it in for another "dry" run and noticed that like last time, When I hit the pump, it didn't click ON. So there must be something to the adjustment with the hose in the hooked position. I got my open end wrench and tightened down the pull rod in the OFF position, tightening it up. The I tried again and when I hit the ON lever, it connected tightly to the pulley and the pump wheel was a spinnin'! Better to find this out before the first wash load. That must be why I had no pump last time. Live and Learn!

I HAVE PUMP! YEA!

 

[e2l-arry]

Saturday's Wash Day!

And it will be 9 weeks to the day I brought Bessie Mae, as Jim calls her, home. Never thought it would take so long. But never thought I'd learn so much either. This isn't some touch up machine. This is a refurbished E2LP machine from 1964
that looks DAMN good!

 

[e2l-arry]

Here's a shot

from the side with the "new" pump lever. Not exactly level . .. I haven't had the best of luck with decals . . but . . . .Beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!

 

[stan]

Looks Great Larry

Think we need a shot of you posing with it LOL

 

[geoffdelp]

Looks great, Larry!! Can't wait to see it in action. Sounds like you have mastered the pump now, too.

Ready to go!!!

 

[wringer]

This

is the day I have been waiting for. Bessie May looks beautiful setting there ready to do laundry. You did an outstanding job Larry !!!!!!! You can be very proud of what all you have gone through. Congrats and let us see her full of laundry doing her job .

Best !

Jim

 

[mickeyd]

Shimmering

Just look at the back wall of the tub! Waves of shimmer. And then the hook, hose, and control shot. Sacrilege, I know, but the hose and pump look better than the originals. "Anticipaaayyyytion..........

 

It will be interesting to see how you conduct the rinse operation: right in "Bessie May," in another machine, or in laundry sinks. It will all be a grand surprise to see you actually washing, and your method. Again, wait till you see how fast the Maytag pump moves water. As far as I've seen, it has no equal in any other conventional machine. I've had races with the Tag, the Norge, the Easy and the Kenmore.

 

[wringer]

Well,

it is Saturday AM and washday for you Larry. Hope to see some pics of Bessie May in action. I know you are more than ready to use her as she was built and rebuilt to use. Happy Maytagging today !!

Best, Jim

 

[e2l-arry]

WASH DAY IT IS!

And all is well! Nine weeks to the day that I brought Bessie Mae A.K.A. The Valdez, home. Here's a picture of it in action! It's running smoothly and quietly with no water or oil dripping from it's underside!

AND everyone was right about the pump. I'm LOVING the pump! It CRANKS!!!

I have a variety of rinse methods. My tub is a single so it's not as easy as it would be with an old time double laundry sink. So with the first load, usually a set of sheets I can get by with 1 rinse. Then I re-use that rinse water as a 1st rinse for the second load. I take those clothes and wring then back onto the top of the washer or into a basket. Drain the tub and refill with new rinse water and dump the clothes back into the tub for a 2nd rinse and repeat that process for subsequent loads. When I come to a load of towels, I usually just wring them through them after the wash then rinse and spin in the Automatic. It's just easier. Towels absorb a lot of detergent and are hard to rinse manually. Plus I found that wringing doesn't take nearly as much water out as a high spin. Out of the Automatic, they dry in about 45 minutes. Through just the wringer and that dryer cycle extends by about 30 more minutes. Whenever I come to the last load, I wring out the clothes, PUMP that dirty wash water out and refill with clear water. Then I rinse the last load in the machine, wring them out and PUMP the used rinse water away.

What could be simpler? It's as much fun as it was when I was a kid. Only now no adults are yelling at me to "Get out of the way" or "Get your hands out of there!" Or the ever popular "You're getting water EVERYWHERE!" Being the adult does have it's advantages!

Happy Washing Everyone!

Larry

 

[bradross]

Wow! Mission accomplished!

Larry, this has been an amazing success with a very involved - and apparently frustrating - restoration project. As I think Geoff or Jim said earlier on, with good care, this machine could easily last for several future generations! Just think - my model 30 is from 1935 and still working with original parts and motor! These things were built like tractors!

Don't ya just love a wringer washer??? I love the fact that I'm actually "doing" the laundry - there's something engaging about it, rather than just throwing it in the machine and walking away. Not to mention the memory recall from childhood!

Congrats on a job beautifully done!