Sounds like it may be worth the time and money if it's going to be a daily driver. You're correct that most want top dollar for scrap metal now. E/J/N machines are pretty hot at the moment but ridiculous prices in both machines and parts are going to either force lower their prices in the future or send them to crusher...again.
Another option is to get an earlier, pre E/J/N Maytag wringer. The gray ghost wringers are cheaper in price and simpler/easier to repair, especially the wringer assembly. They're also more durable, believe it or not. I had a Model 80, Model 90, 2 Model A's, and 2 Model 30's with a pump. The Model 80 and Model 90 was the easiest to work on and bring back to life. The Model 80 sat for over 40 years after literally 45 years of being put through hell on a farm with a big family (owners son, whose father was the original owner admitted to it). Swap in the better Model 30/32 agitator and Model 90/Model A/Model 30 wringer assembly (fatter wringer rolls, better design) and you got one heck of a nice durable machine. Also, no possibility of water intrusion into transmission on the Model 80 and Model 90 washers as the transmissions are totally divorced from the tub unlike the Model A through 1983 E/J/N wringers.
