My new E2L Maytag Wringer with pump

[hobbyapocalypse]

Picked her up yesterday! The pastor asked $30, I gave him $35. Thank you all for the nudge to take a chance on this one.

And thank you all who have been down this road already and blazed a trail that those like me can follow. I have already read much of Larry's great write-up and am looking forward to discovering the write-ups others have done.

We tipped her forward to move and noticed oil drips following us across the floor and up the steps. The rear leg looks like it's been dripping a long time. We should have tried to keep her upright all the time but nobody even thought of that!

All I did so far is use soap and water to remove the surface dirt, and parked the wringers apart. They have some slight damage where they were stuck together.

The model number on the red sticker says E2L. I thought the pump models are E2LP?

Have not yet attempted to power her up. First I want to try turning the mechanism by hand to see that everything moves freely. Should it turn fairly easily by hand with the agitator and wringer engaged? And will the lower wringer turn when not under tension but the drive control handle is engaged?

The motor has a 3-prong plug. Is this original? If I decode the serial number correctly (11482XR), September 1965.

It seemed like a good idea to start this new thread on the story that began in Shopper Square at the link below --

Maytag wringer up for auction in Olyphant PA

The preview is (tomorrow) Wednesday July 20 from 3-5pm and closing is the next day, Thursday. https://cowley1.hibid.com/catalog/380532/church-pews--stained-glass-and-more/

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[repairguy]

Congrats! Yours is a great example of what a little soap and water can do for an appearance. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun with this machine. Not everyone can say they got the old wringer washer from the church.

 

[ea56]

What a great deal! And it sure cleaned up nice too! Its fortunate that the agitator was stored off the post, otherwise it would have probably been stuck on. To keep it from sticking on the post coat the post with a thin film of Vaseline, and periodically reapply the Vaseline to maintain a coating that will keep it lubed. Always store the agitator off the post like it is in the photos.

The three prong plug was probably original, by ‘65 most large appliances were equipped with 3 prong plugs from the factory. As far as the model number not including the “P” to designate that it has a pump is nothing to be concerned about. Its clear that it came equipped with the pump from the factory. Maybe Maytag didn’t start using the “P” in the model numbers until later than the ‘65 model run?

You should have lots of fun with this wringer washer. They are excellent machines.

Congratulations on your excellent score!

Eddie

 

[rpms]

Good heavens! Looks fantastic!
What was the washer used for? Was it for kitchen linens and table cloths?
My Aunt did the laundry for the Catholic church 50 years ago in her wringer.
Huge NO NO to wash anything with the alter cloths.

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

Thank you Brian

I too wonder what it was used for, and how awkward it must've been to use in that corner spot. If I find out I'll let you all know!

When I was there yesterday I noticed an 8x11 instruction card tacked on another wall for a Maytag A407 I think it was, so apparently they also had an automatic machine there at one time. It was a card that came with the machine and I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone to not throw it away. It could be collectible.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Good intentions.

Maybe it was donated when someone upgraded to an automatic. I'm sure we've all seen donated goods at our churches that never got used.
Or have to be on the committee to clean up and deal with such items.

 

[circlew]

Eddie is correct that the 3 wire cord and plug would be original. Our '64 Westinghouse washer had one.

The NEC first required grounding type receptacles for laundry appliances in the 1947 edition. However, not all areas adopted that code right away. In 1956, exterior and garage receptacles were added. In the 1959 edition, basements and kitchen receptacles near sinks joined the required locations. In 1962, all branch circuits now were required to be grounded. Again, not all areas adopted the latest code.

 

[launderess]

Congrats! Great Save!

Meant to mention in other thread you should keep Maytag wringer washers upright as possible during transport, but figured you'd find that bit out on your own.

Either way bit of oil leaking isn't bad thing. To be clear it's largely grease Maytag packed into wringer head and elsewhere that is liquifying. At some point machine will need to be torn down, gunk cleaned out, and fresh grease packed in, but these machines were so well built (or over built) can go some time before that is necessary.

Much will depend on how much use your machine sees going forward. My copy of Maytag wringer service manual states machines in use for commercial purposes wanted overhauling more often than all but the heaviest domestic use.

As for rollers and "damage" once you've got things sorted out and do maiden wash you can see how if at all rollers are prevented from doing their job property.

You can remove shallow flat spots or marks on rubber wringer rollers by giving them a wipe with kerosene soaked rag, then quickly washing them down. Kerosene will clean, soften and remove bit of layer on rubber wringer rollers. Thus would sort out "damage" problem, and was suggested method for both power hand hand cranked wringers. Only thing is one shouldn't do this often. Best thing was to prevent wringer rollers from sticking together turning storage from start.

This or you can search eBay and other sources for NOS Maytag wringer rollers. There is still quite a bit out there some going for not very much money. Depending upon your situation may only need to replace the white or black roller, but not both.

If still original (and likely are), you may want to consider replacing water seal, agitator, stop ring

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373217900493

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3732178985...Web&brand=Maytag&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1

You may also wish to buy the newer turquoise agitator to use instead of black which came with your washer. This was final design by Maytag for agitators used in their wringer washers, and features a cup design underneath that helps keep water from seeping down shaft and into transmission. The Amish who use and love Maytag wringer largely only use the newer turquoise agitator over any of others.

https://cottagecraftworks.com/maytag-wringer-washer-replacement-agitator

 

[launderess]

My Maytag "Gryator" washer is even earlier (1962) and has three pronged grounded plug.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?67108

Owners manual does speak to using a grounded adapter for washers with two prong plugs, and IIRC stresses machine should be grounded. This includes not removing ground pin or trying to use washer with two prong plug.

Pump:

My J2L makes no mention of pump by model number, but it's got one.

IIIRC pumps when became available were an add on feature for Maytag conventional washers. Some households loosened up the mouse trap and sprung for the things to be installed on new orders, others stuck with simple gravity drain.

Even with pump installed Maytag wringer washers will still drain via gravity. Indeed owners manual states after wash day is done and machine drained to lower hose to ground. This will drain out remaining water in sump and hose.

 

[launderess]

Someone long ago likely nabbed that Maytag A407 from church. A modern Maytag automatic was worth more to many than the wringer, so the latter remained I suppose.

The A407 could have been taken away when RC church closed Holy Ghost church and priests vacated rectory. Maybe it was sold, donated to another parish, taken by order to their new mission...

Maytag A407 , how old is it?

Ok i think this washer is as old as me! My husband doesn't think it's that old. I'm in my 30s , is this washer that old? It's kind of a joke in our home , it came with the house when we bought it 11 years ago . It work fine, we just replaced it yesterday. I looked at some of your other pictures...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[launderess]

"I too wonder what it was used for, and how awkward it must've been to use in that corner spot. If I find out I'll let you all know!"

Once you start working with that Maytag wringer you'll notice how well things could have gone in it's former setup.

Countless households or laundries had similar arrangement. Washer in spot (even corner) then on other side series of wash tub(s) or sink(s).

You moved things down a production line as it were;

Wring from washer into first rinse tub/sink. Swish things about then move onto second sink/rinse tub. Haul things back into washer to wring out either onto lid (that's one of reasons it's there), into a basket, first sink/tub emptied of water, or some sort of solid surface placed over first wash tub

Not a Maytag, but you get the idea..



Once you've got yourself sorted doing wash with a wringer becomes a rhythmic almost "Zen" experience.

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

Launderess, thank you for all the helpful hints. My agitator might be the new design even though it's the old color. Tell me what you think.[this post was last edited: 7/28/2022-19:25]

 

[e2l-arry]

Maytag w/pump wringers.

It's not uncommon to find Maytag E2L's that are actually E2LP's. The reason was because dealers could easily install the pump at their shop before they were sold. Pumps sold aftermarket to replace a bad pump or upgrade a non-pump model. It's very easy to add, or in my case, remove a pump. So your washer may have left Newton Iowa as an E2L but before it found it's home was converted to an E2LP. Congratulations on your new find. Hard to believe but I've had mine 10 years next month. And once all the initial issues were dealt with, and there was substantial issues, it has been 100% problem free since!

 

[geoffdelp]

Oh boy ... that's a nice looking Maytag Master, Joseph! Good save! Amazing what a little soap and water can do. That agitator looks like a poly agitator; does it have a little give to it, or is it a Bakelite one? There was a brief period of time before Maytag changed the accent color to turquoise (January 1966), that they made a black polypropylene agitator. I've got one. They were less likely to dull from washing compounds, such as chlorine bleach and didn't break/crack if accidentally dropped.

The 3-prong plug was a standard then, as well.

The decal on the back didn't include the P until later, I believe. I've got a model N from this same time period; it states N2L on the sticker, but it has the pump. The pump usually was installed at the factory; it was $10 additional. Most dealers had both pump and non-pump models.

Those rollers don't look too bad; try using them for a while. Don't forget about Cottage Craftworks; he's got lots of different new parts and caters to Amish customers. Just Google it! Laundress pointed out replacing the water seal and stop ring; excellent suggestion!

Are the casters in good shape? A little bit of 3-in-One oil works wonders on those. White Lithium grease (get at auto parts store) works really well on the end of the wringer rolls and the brake shoe for the drain pan. Lithium is more water repellant. I've always used lacquer thinner to clean the "oily" parts of those machines first; it really cuts that old grease out.

Have fun and enjoy your "new" machine!

Geoff

 

[bradross]

Great find indeed!

I've had my E2LP for almost 13 years, and I thought I had got a great deal at $100 ! I love hearing about these "saves", especially if there's a bit of a background story to it. Mine came from an elderly lady in Tacoma, Washington, who bought it new in 1977. She wanted it to go to somebody who would appreciate it, and I bought it through her grand-daughter. It was in practically "like new" condition.

 

[qsd-dan]

What an absolute gem, I just knew this would clean up nicely!

Scroll through the archives and look for the "Big 3" experts (Geoffdelp, E2L-arry, BrassRoss). Their wisdom will properly guide you in the right direction.

 

[launderess]

Rising from tubs onto lid

Video shows how it's done with manual tubs instead of stationary sink(s).



Video in Post# 1155372 shows how important it is to feed things through wringer flat as possible. Easier said than done with shorter things like face, hand or even bath towels. Larger items like sheets, blankets, and quilts are another matter.

Latter is at least one instance some actually liked that foot pedal Maytag had on last incarnation of wringer washers. By controlling wringer stopping and starting via foot pedal both hands were left free to sort out wash.

Here is an example with Speed Queen wringer.



Maytag's wringer is self adjusting so there's nothing to loosen or tighten. What holds true however is like above if something isn't wrung dry enough to suit, can always refold and send back through mangle again.

Personally after mangling bung things into either one of the spin driers or washing machines for final extraction. Even best wringing only equals about 240 rpm speed speed. That might be fine if one is hanging things on (a very strong) clothes line or horse to dry, but since often will be using tumble dryer...

 

[launderess]

"Scroll through the archives and look for the "Big 3" experts (Geoffdelp, E2L-arry, BrassRoss). Their wisdom will properly guide you in the right direction."

Yes, it is always wise to wander off into the archives. So much great information by those who went before.

In particular things like using modern "grease" or "oil" instead of buying old cans of Maytag product that my have been sitting around for god knows how long.

Happily Maytag center seal grease is still available new. Bought a tube of the stuff when first got my Maytag wringer to lube points as directed in manual. This includes putting a bit now and then on center post/spline area instead of Vaseline.

https://www.maytagreplacementparts....Maytag-Washing-Machine-Lubricant-Grease-Parts

 

[hobbyapocalypse]

Yes it looks like this is a poly agitator. It is somewhat flexible and has the cup feature that Launderess mentioned.

The casters are in fair shape, wheels almost like new but metal parts more or less rusty. One of the locking ones was the worst, rusted in the locked position but I was able to work it loose. I reinstalled the casters but would like to try derusting them as I make progress. Would evapo-rust be safe to use on them?

I removed the motor to clean and oil but I don't think it has oil ports. It does seem to run fine as is, but could use a cleaning. Also I thought about replacing the v-belt, it looks deformed and not as flexible as it should be.

When I turn the flywheel by hand the agitator shaft and wringer go thru their motions and everything seems to move smooth but tight. I'm wondering if this tightness is just due to the normal bearing preload, or if the old oil has turned to jello.

The pump does feel too tight. I will try hot water and see if that loosens it up.

I am having a great time searching the archives, learning from the experts. The service manual at Cottage Craftworks is a helpful guide as well.