My new to me E2L

[shankstr]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the site but wanted to share my first wringer washer with those who appreciate them. My neighbors (in there 70's & 80's)think I'm crazy. They said they couldn't give theirs up fast enough when the automatics came out. My wife is OK with it but doesn't have the enthusiasm I have.

So any, I picked up a Maytag E2L from CL for $60. SN# L121999V (does anyone knows the manufacture date?) from a man who got it from an old lady. This guy was a retired machinist that has a 4000 sqft. building FULL of old things. A self proclaimed hoarder! So we plugged her in and she ran like a champ. Everything worked and sounded great. After chatting a while, he shows me a model 30 electric covered up in the corner which he might part with for $125. I skipped it for now as I wasn't sure about parts availability.

I get the "Ol' Gal" home, fill her up, plug her in and wash a few towels to try her out and what does she do???? Belches thick, nasty, brown oil all over my garage floor!! Thanks to the threads here I knew what it was...yep... the shaft seal was toast and water was in the tranny pushing the oil out. I ordered new parts from Phil to include not only gaskets and seals but also a new centerplate as the shaft had some side to side play in it. Planning on cleaning and replacing all lube in the tranny and horizontal PTO too. While waiting for parts, I'm sanding all the nicks and scratches to paint with the suggested Rustoleum Appliance paint.

She's gonna shine up beautifully!!

 

[stan]

Hi Steve

And welcome to the forum.

I think based on the S# thats she's a Nov 1959! and should have a black agitator (if still original)

I'm guessing that you've read Larrys thread "Moving a Maytag E2L"
If you haven't, you should. Everything that your about to do is there, and with detailed photos! And would suggest you use his trick for painting around the lettering on the machine, as the raised lettering is difficult to remove without breaking.
Also your machine (from what I see) is a gravity drain model, but we learned, from Larry, that there is a precut hole on the cross frame for a pump to be added, witch make these old girls a lot easier to use if you have a sink, or stand pipe to drain to!

Let us know if you need a service manual

Stan
P.S I have the same machine, but mine is a 54

 

[e2l-arry]

HHHmmmmmm,

It look and sounds vaguely familiar. I can't decode serial numbers but Maytag used the chrome letters on the front from 1960 to 1965 or 1966. I think that was the last used before the change to the more modern Maytag emblem/decal used when they switched to the turquoise agitator and release bar.

That gunk out the vent is caused by water in the tranny. I made the mistake of assuming the water was getting in through a bad seal between the center plate and power unit. And I suppose it can. But when you take it apart you'll see there are only 2 ways for water to get in. It's either through a bad seal/gasket between the two, or one of the 2 long bolts that fasten the center plate, tub and power unit together or the 2 shorter bolts that just connect the center plate to the power unit. Anyway, water would have to get in through the perimeter of the unit,
OR it's entering directly through the agitator shaft into the power unit. Either a bad center plate or a bad agitator seal. Took me a while to figure that out.

I'd suspected a leak between the plate and power unit especially that screw. Get rid of that. Get the plug from Phil. So anyway, now I'm convinced my troubles were caused by a faulty center plate all along. I'll have my proof soon enough.

Good Luck!

Larrry

 

[e2l-arry]

Never mind the plug

From what I've seen of the replacement Center Plates, on Ebay anyway, they don't even have the hole for the screw. They wised up and just eliminated it on later models.

 

[wringer]

This is

great. Another thread on saving a Maytag Wringer. You will certainly learn a volume from Larry's experience in his thread. My best to you !! We will all be anxiously awaiting your reports back to us. What a beauty she is.

Jim

 

[shankstr]

Well crap

I came out to the garage to give the old gal a light sanding / deglossing for paint prep while I wait for parts and the drain hose broke at the bend under her. I guess age and 40 degree weather caught up to it. It's better to find out now I suppose rather than with a tub full of water!

So it's decision time. Do I convert her to a pump model? I like the idea of a pump but really didn't want to put in the $$ for it. Any idea what they cost w/ hardware and hoses?

STAN - are you sure about the date?? Larry believes the raised Maytag letter didn't start until 1960. Also, you / Larry are correct. My cross support DO have the pre-cut holes for a pump. Yes, it does have the black agitator and a bonus one..see the pic below!!

LARRY - Thanks again for all your posts. I read through them all and will try not to repeat your learning curves My tub is in good shape.. so I don't expect problems there.

Steve

 

[shankstr]

prep continues

Sanding the scraps and nicks for the Rustoleum appliance epoxy.

I used my Craftsman mouse palm sander w/ 120 grit. It makes short work of this but wear a mask.

 

[wringer]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

What I wouldn't give to have an agitator like that !!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are so very, very rare. I am happy you have one with the lint filter. I will just go to the corner and pout LOL.

Jim

 

[qsd-dan]

What I wouldn't give to have an agitator like that !!!!

X2!

This is one of my ultimate dream machines, wringer style. An E2LP with chromed raised letters, lint filter agitator, and pump. Even better if it's pink, so I can put park it in between my pink 142/641c set.

 

[e2l-arry]

That's good timing Steve

If you're going to convert to a pump model you'd need a new drain hose anyway. Phil sells reconditioned pumps for
$45.00
The tub to pump for
$12.95?? or there abouts and I got a set of hardware, everything I needed from Dave for another $20. Then the new "pump to goose neck drain" hose. I think Phil charges $21.50. BUT! you can get this hose cut to length at Ace Hardware and it would probably be closer to 6 dollars. Then I bought a goose neck there for another $2.50. So it could run you a little under 80 bucks. A couple of cheap clamps and you're in business! I was willing to use the gravity drain but it is messy and everyone here was so Gung Ho on the pump. Once I got one, I could see what all the fuss was about. I'd do that again in a minute! My favorite part of the machine now. Love the pump!

So do you have 2 agitators? This extremely rare aluminum filter + a standard black one? That would be too cool! I'd take the black one off you hands to help defray the cost of the pump. You saw what happened to mine. The turquoise one works just fine but I like to keep things stock.

Aren't those mouse sanders GREAT! That helped me sooooooo much. I'm glad I bought that AND the pump. Are you going to prime first?

 

[e2l-arry]

Another thing

Steve, in that first picture. The one with the oil change pan collecting the dark brown/black gunk with a paper towel, a sight I know well, is that tape on the power cord? Because it cheap and easy to replace those while you at it. I was glad I put a new grounded cord on. It was a mess at the motor connection. Something I would not have been aware of otherwise.

Larry

 

[shankstr]

Jim & Dan

I'm glad you like my lint filter agitator. Call it beginners luck because I had no idea when I bought the machine how rare these are. I did try it out on a couple loads before I started renovation and it works great!

LARRY - Thanks for the pump info. The O'l Gal came with standard black agitator and the lint one. At this time I want to keep both, but it didn't hurt to ask. Yes, I plan on priming before painting and possibly replacing the electric cord. I really like the original cord with the the Maytag name on it. There's liquid electrical tape in colors so I might try mixing the black and white ones to try and match the cord. There's only a small cut in the outer casing.

Steve

 

[stan]

Hi Steve

As best as I can tell decoding the S#, she's a Nov 1959!

The letters in the S# represent the month, and year of manufacturing.

You could email Mark (kenmore71) and double check, or if you wait he might stop by here.

 

[e2l-arry]

1959

Is probably right. I don't know exactly when they switched to the chrome M A Y T A G lettering. I thought it was "about" 1960. To me, November 1959 is "about" 1960 ish. Close enough anyway. We certainly know she's old enough to get into a bar!

 

[geoffdelp]

Steve ... You're getting great advice here! Your serial number does show it was made in November 1959. Also, the lint filter agitator was made available as an accessory on all the Maytag models (E, J, N) around November 1958; just a year earlier. I have a lint filter agitator and I find it fairly effective on all the models. I'm not sure when they stopped producing them; I'll have to keep researching the "Let's Talk Service" notes; I believe I ran across it in one of those at one point.

I will have also have to research but I believe the chrome letters were first produced in early 1959; March/April ... around there ... and were discontinued when Maytag switched to the turquoise accents in January 1966.

Larry just went through a "re-do" on his machine and he speaks with the voice of experience!!!

Enjoy your machine; they are just wonderful to own and operate. A real power horse with style and beauty to boot!!

 

[e2l-arry]

Prepping and priming

One thing I realized after the fact was that when I was doing the prep and painting was that it would have made sense to take the tub out first. It has to come out anyway so why mask around it? Or risk paint sticking to tape or the tub itself? Most of my best painting was with an empty skirt. I even took it outside one day to do some overdubbing with the spray paint.

There's your unsolicited tip of the week!

 

[mickeyd]

The Apple of our eye

Steve, you could not have landed more dramatically on the shores of Aworg than with that highly coveted Holy Grail of Maytag agitators. Like our friends, I would give anything to have that Black Beauty.

 

Startling is that Dan with all his Maytag connections and expertise, lists it as a dream agitator. Would have bet the farm he had one; and since he doesn't, the chances are indeed grim. Nevertheless, I'm going out on a limb: If there is another one out there, I would pay small fortune to have it.

 

Geoff, I knew you had one. What do you think the chances are of us finding another? If not in use, would you consider renting it out for a season? Sniffin' glue here, LOL

 

Good luck on your restoration, Steve. Put Larry on speed dial, and bug him round the clock.

 

 

 

[qsd-dan]

Startling is that Dan with all his Maytag connections and expertise, lists it as a dream agitator. Would have bet the farm he had one; and since he doesn't, the chances are indeed grim.

Yeah, but I haven't given up looking yet :>) Part of the fun of owning vintage machines. I bug Phil every once in a while, just in case he has stumbled upon one. No luck yet. I did find an E2LP wringer near me a couple years back with the lint filter agitator, but the agitator had a chunk missing out of it. Oh well.

 

[electronicontrl]

E2L

Congrats!!
My E2LPS in avocado is much fun for me.