Thread Number: 41687
1971 Maytag washer and dryer find in Avocado!
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Post# 614892   8/5/2012 at 12:41 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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I've been on the search for a matched pair of Maytag center dials in shaded Avocado since I bought my 1st house over 2 years ago. I'm currently using my 1973 Frigidaire 1-18's as the main machines for over 1 year now and so far those have been working great. While I really enjoy those, I've always wanted a nice pair of Maytag center dials as I've heard that they are great machines that "last forever"

So I finally found a set this weekend at an estate sale in the color I wanted. I've seen various center dials every now and then when I go to the estates, but they were usually beat up and quite a bit of wear. These ones I got this weekend look like they were hardly ever used and no signs of rust on the bottom edge or wear anywhere on the controls.

The washer is a model A407 and the dryer is a model DE606. Both are from 1971. The dryer date code is "MQ"(July '71) and the washer is "MS"(August '71). Sitting on top of the dryer was the envelope with all the original manuals and papers for both machines.

Even though my ranch has an full basement, my laundry room happens to be upstairs next to the kitchen which is really nice. That being said it was important to find nice condition machines as they are basically no different than kitchen appliances as they are seen by anyone who comes into the house. When my house was built (1964) they set it up so that the laundry room could run either a gas or 220 which is nice.

I don't claim to be any kind of expert on these machines (I'm better known as a vintage TV guy), but can you guys tell me what the difference is between an A407 and an A606? Is the 407 a lower end machine, or is it just a difference in capacity? I figured when these were bought new, they would both be "606" units as I was most familiar with the 606 and 806 model numbers. I never knew of the 407 until just yesterday when I found these. Either way, I've heard that these are great machines for durability and the mechanism is pretty simple and good parts availability making them good daily run machines. Just curious if there are any maintenance pointers you guys have for these machines. For one, I've heard that its important to check the bottom of the maytag washers and be on the look out for leaking trans oil. For the record, this one is bone dry underneath.

Also how about DE606 dryer? Its electric of course, it also has the "electronic" moisture sensor to shut off when the clothes are dry. Is that set up pretty reliable set up?
Any other maintenance pointers for these that I should know of would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to learn as much as I can about these units. I'm kind of a beginner to washers and dryers here, but have no problem working on machines if need be.

Thanks all!





Post# 614893 , Reply# 1   8/5/2012 at 12:41 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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close up...

Post# 614894 , Reply# 2   8/5/2012 at 12:44 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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inside the A407 washer

Post# 614896 , Reply# 3   8/5/2012 at 12:44 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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Inside the DE606 dryer

Post# 614897 , Reply# 4   8/5/2012 at 12:45 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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Bottom of the A407 washer

Post# 614898 , Reply# 5   8/5/2012 at 12:47 (4,253 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        

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The original manuals etc.

Post# 614901 , Reply# 6   8/5/2012 at 13:20 (4,253 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        

Wow! Those are absolutely mint. Did you have to clean them up any at all?
BTW, love that 1960 Chevrolet Impala in the garage.


Post# 614902 , Reply# 7   8/5/2012 at 13:32 (4,253 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

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Looks to me that you have the larger capacity machine since the agitator has four rows of slots in it and there are four buttons for water level.

 

I get lost when the last digit is a "7" instead of a "6" where Maytags are concerned.   It appears the 407 has all the options you'd need for cycle selection and load size, so maybe it's the lack of deluxe things like bleach dispenser and tub light that make it different from a 606.

 

Regardless, that is a beautiful low-mileage pair of machines that should serve you well for many, many years.  Nice score!


Post# 614903 , Reply# 8   8/5/2012 at 13:34 (4,253 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

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You took the words right out of my mouth, whirlcool. They are a very nice looking pair and large capacity too. The fins on the beautiful '60 Impala bring back alot of memories also.

Post# 614906 , Reply# 9   8/5/2012 at 14:15 (4,253 days old) by twintubdexter (Palm Springs)        

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How can I concentrate on those Maytags with that beautiful 1960 Chevrolet stealing the show in the background. You should have closed that garage door!

Post# 614909 , Reply# 10   8/5/2012 at 14:31 (4,253 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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The 407 is the same as what was used in Maytag Laundries, their toploaders.  It's a 1-speed machine and the 3 buttons just to the right of the timer select fabric type.  Regular, permanent press (which has a cool down process between the wash and rinse and a shortened final spin) and delicate (which has a combination of short agitation periods and soak periods during the 10 minute wash cycle-each agitation phase in wash is like one or two minutes and is best to use full water level always).  I believe the rinse agitation is also shorter.  There is also a 30 minute soak cycle on this machine.  A very nice machine.  The 606 dryer is electroic control.  Drying temperature is considered "all-fabric" but reality is it's the low-heat setting on Maytag dryters with the multiple heat/air buttons.  Dial settings are regular fabrics, permanent press, damp dry, and air fluff.  Perm Press has a 7 to 10 minute cool down and also is used for lo0ads which you would preser "more dry".  Regular has a 3-5 minute cool down.  Damp dry is just that for clothes whjich need to be ironed but still left dry.  This dryer has a nice pleasant bell to ring to let yuou know the dryer is finished.  On perm press cycle it dings several times during the cool down process.  Very accurate electronic sensor dryer.  The washer has the big-load, large wash tub capacity compared to the stgd. 14 pound capacity machiune.  They won't hold quite as much ass your 1/18 in my opinion, but it's not too much different.  You do noit want to overload a Maytag, will reduce load turnover.  Simply read the user manuals for both, they're qujite straight forward.  Hope this helps.  Enjoyed your Chevy drive videos on youtube too.


Post# 614913 , Reply# 11   8/5/2012 at 14:40 (4,253 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Bob's correct about the A407.  I had one once upon a time and it's a large-capacity, single-speed model with some flexibility built into those right buttons.  It is actually a great machine!

 

Now - back to that Impala.  You really must provide some better photos of that baby.  My first automobile was a 1960 Impala SportSedan in turquoise and white, so I can relate to that car.

 

lawrence


Post# 614925 , Reply# 12   8/5/2012 at 15:40 (4,253 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)        

OMG!  The 1960 Chevrolet Impala has always been my favorite car.  IIRC, it is also one of the widest passenger vehicles ever built. If they could have only gotten the optional smooth and powerful TurboGlide transmission to be more reliable. 


Post# 614927 , Reply# 13   8/5/2012 at 15:53 (4,253 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

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Nice washer/dryer!


Post# 615029 , Reply# 14   8/5/2012 at 22:29 (4,252 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Nice Maytag set; look showroom new.

The '60 Chevrolet looks beautiful, too. Is it Black, or another dark color?


Post# 615031 , Reply# 15   8/5/2012 at 23:16 (4,252 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Avocado Set... Stunning.

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Can we get at that Impala Please ???

Holy Crap is that a beautiful Car or what ???

Eddie


Post# 615033 , Reply# 16   8/5/2012 at 23:40 (4,252 days old) by stan (Napa CA)        
Very nice Maytags

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Use to have a set in copper/brown very much like these, but the tub was not white? Don't know what model I had, but they where still running when I gave them away.

Also use to have a 66 Impala SS convertible. would love to see more of the car! maybe a different thread?
Is a SS?
Convertible ?


Post# 615060 , Reply# 17   8/6/2012 at 05:07 (4,252 days old) by appnut (TX)        
YouTube of Chevy

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Here is the link for the first part of the video I mentioned above.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO appnut's LINK

Post# 615066 , Reply# 18   8/6/2012 at 06:55 (4,252 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        

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Bob - Oh YEAH!!! Thanks for the link to the video. Boy does that bring back memories. I've always thought the '60 Impala carried that Fisher body roof the best of all the 1960 GM's. That roof plus the fins on the rear make that car zoom when it's standing still.

lawrence


Post# 615069 , Reply# 19   8/6/2012 at 07:15 (4,252 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        
maytag

Awesome looking washer & dryer... Great find. Congrats!

Post# 615091 , Reply# 20   8/6/2012 at 10:23 (4,252 days old) by drh4683 (Chicago western suburbs)        
Thanks!

drh4683's profile picture
First off, thanks Bob and everyone for the compliments and also a great description of the machines and it's features! I have yet to sit down and read through the manuals to get acquainted with these. I'm a manual reader no matter what. Regardless, I have yet to hook them up. I pretty much brought them right down to the basement for starters as I didn't want to pull my 1-18's out of service yet as I really like those! So for now, these Maytags are display pieces downstairs- but soon to probably be used upstairs...

Also thanks for the side notes on the '60 Impala. I've owned it for coming on 10 years now, its a black and red 4dr sport sedan as you probably saw in the video. I need to make an updated video of it now that I have a camera that records in hi-def. Its basically all stock, just like how it would have looked in 1960 (the way I like them).


Post# 615323 , Reply# 21   8/7/2012 at 08:52 (4,251 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        

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My parents had a 1960 Bel-Air but they sold it when I came along in 1969 because finances were tight, and they couldn't afford 2 cars.  They also had a 1968 Impala when I was born.



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