Restoring a Maytag Model 92

By Staff
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Avery Erik Kinch's granddaughter Madeline kneeling with a Maytag Model 92 that Avery painted to resemble a bumble bee.
Avery Erik Kinch's granddaughter Madeline kneeling with a Maytag Model 92 that Avery painted to resemble a bumble bee.
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Early last summer I went to an auction that had a lot of small Maytag engines and I purchased several model 72s, 92s, 82s and one 1917 1/2 HP upright. At the end of the auction there were several Maytag engines left on the auction table, one of which was a Maytag Model 92. The auctioneer started and everyone had already bought what they came for. I offered a bid of $5 and got this Maytag Model 92 and the others for $5 each.

I bought the Maytag engine for parts. The motor was a 1932 long base with no pulley, broken front feet, no exhaust manifold, no mixer, etc., but it wasn’t stuck, and well worth $5 for the jug, castings and other good parts to trade or sell later. It was oiled up and stuck under the work bench.

A new project
When we had our annual homemade ice cream party Memorial Day weekend, my youngest granddaughter said there was a big dead bee under the workbench and I should come and look. What she found was that Maytag parts engine. She said it looked like a big dead bee with a broken stinger (spark plug) and asked if I could please bring it back to life. Well if you have grandkids then you know what happened next: Grandpa got to work restoring a Maytag Model 92.

Parts engine no more
The front rails were squared up and drilled for mounting.

Next it was disassembled, totally cleaned and painted. As you can see by the pictures, it was painted like a bumble bee: yellow and black. The “stinger” was also repaired.

Over the course of the summer, and through various swap meets and parts from friends, the bee started to take shape and come alive. It runs well and has more power than I thought.

Not quite finished
My granddaughter Madeline said I did a good job, but there was still a problem. The bee could not see where he was going and some times bees’ hives get raided by Pooh Bears. Soon parts were fitted into the air intake and “eyes” were added. It was a good thing the bee could see.

A month later at a flea market a Pooh Bear eating honey was found, purchased, cleaned up, drilled, plumbed and added to the exhaust. This, now, is simple: When he eats too much honey a valve is turned, he lets out some smoke and he feels better.

Madeline, Grandpa, and the “92-Bee” are alive and well and living in Rittman, Ohio. Next summer’s shows should be a lot of fun. Thanks to all the friends that helped with parts and advice on this fun project. 

Contact Avery Erik Kinch at aekinch@embarqmail.com

  • Published on Jan 24, 2011
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