Scored a Maytag Highlander A500

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sprog

sprog

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2019
Messages
71
Location
Boston
Hey Gang,
Scanning CL, I came upon a "scrap" listing with an old Maytag peeking out of a pile metal junk. Could it be? Despite the fact that the listing was "all or nothing", I appealed to their sensibility and luckily, they happily agreed. I discovered this machine was a wedding gift for the owner's parents and layed dormant in the corner of a damp basement for decades.This was 24hrs away from a dumpster/oblivion.

Once home, my son and I inspected the machine for:
rodent nests (none)
wiring (good)
transmission (freely moved by hand, no binding, functions... oil leaks, well you can't have everything (the shaft seal is toast... after nearly 60yrs, fair enough)
then plugged it in, confirming electrical motor functionality. The little neon light even fired up.

I plan a total renovation of this machine... pending tub inspection.

This should be fun!
More to come!
I definitely have caught the Maytag bug!
Chris
P.S. a few images included. Yes, the lint filter can't be original (was it originally metal?).

sprog-2020052809363401026_1.jpg

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sprog-2020052809363401026_3.jpg

sprog-2020052809363401026_4.jpg

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What is it with Maytags that make them so beloved? Congratulations!

 

PS, the lint filter is much newer than the machine. I believe the original was indeed metal.

[this post was last edited: 5/28/2020-10:56]
 
Chris,

Nice save!
This wasn't the listing out of Worcester/Clinton, listing a 1950s Maytag washer and dryer, was it?
If so, I was hoping they would go to a good home.
I'm guessing, if it was the same listing, you'd probably have grabbed the pair though.

Barry
 
I hate those stickers!!!

 

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino;">I hate when they put those stickers on the control panel of a machine especially on the occasion you see one on a dishwasher.  I don't even like dealer stickers on a car.  I've always told them don't add one and if it's there I make them remove them before I take owner ship of the car.  Not sure why they bug me so much, they just do.</span>
 
Nice score!

The agitator looks like a powerfin rather than the original Bakelite, probably transplanted from a 206 during repairs at some point in time since Maytag used a black powerfin with turquoise lint filter combo in those machines.

If you're going to tear into the transmission to replace the o-ring, you have the following options to custom tailor agitation and spin speed options:

Keep the original 54 OPM transmission gears and 618 RPM spin speed.

Install 63 OPM gears and maintain 618 RPM factory spin speed (best option with the powerfin agitator).

Keep the factory 54 OPM gear set, install a 50hz motor pulley and increase agitation to 67.5 OPMs and spin speed to 757 RPMs.
 
Thanks for the comments/support!

This washer came from Scituate MA.

So Dan, please tell me more. I'm interested in the 50hz motor pulley option.

This machine is going to be my experimental rig.

For example, I plan to use a fluorocarbon O-ring (FKM) for the transmission lower seal (for better resilience performance characteristics). I made the miscalculation of using a silicone lower seal on my 806... not good.

I'll also employ Eugene's sound dampening mat method.

The list goes on. I'll also document with greater detail. My hope is that more people are empowered to save these great machines.

Where can I find a 50hz motor pulley? If you have the dimensions, I could source one.

More to come...
 
Those 50hz motor pulleys are getting very hard to come by but still pop up about 1-2 times a year on Ebay. Unsure of the dimensions but I really doubt it could be sourced without finding an outfit willing to custom make one. Anyway, here are the part#'s for the 50hz pulley and belts:

Pulley: Y202496
Drive Belt: 211948
Pump Belt: 211451

If you're in a hurry, swap in 63 OPM gears from any post 1966 tall tub model (post Nov 1967 106 and 206 models) and be done with it.
 
My Mom had that same washer, they bought it when I was 2 or 3 years old, so that would be 1962-63. We had that washer all the way until 1976. The only reason my parents bought a new washer and dryer is that our laundry room was unheated and on very cold days the Maytag would agitate very slow until it warmed up. They got a very good deal on a GE Dispensall washer and matching dryer. They gave the Maytag to some young neighbors down the block and they had it for a few more years until it finally went bad. I could still hear that typical sound the Maytag's make when they agitate or spin also the pronounced clicks the timer made as it counted down.
 
WOWZERS...

CONGRATULATIONS on that Maytag save!
Is it really a 2-speed washer?

Looking forward to seeing your progress on this Maytag and keeping my fingers crossed its not too difficult!

Doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer!
:oD
 
Nice save!

I have some electrical bits from a 1964 A500 if you need them. Timer and push switches. Bakelite agitator and stainless filter are already promised. I have the trans but will be using the top half for my A407.
 
Chris, (Sprog)

Sure it will work great for you. I'm guessing what you do in that white lab coat is medical, going just by the gizmo I see to the right. If it's research of some sort, I (we) appreciate, and Thank You!
 
Thanks again for the kind support.

Mike, good guess... I'm a scientist (Immunologist) and spend my days in the lab. My personality is geared toward problem-solving, hence my occupation. I find repairing, restoring, exploring a natural extension of my thought process.

John, Thanks for the heads up about the electrical bits.

Here's to good health for all of us!
 
Christina,
I humbly defer to other members for insight/expertise regarding this machine. I really don't know... at least for now.
 

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