3307 Hillman Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44507
The old Maytag engine was different than anything I had seen
before. The long retired machinist, for whom I’d been doing
some odd jobs, was willing to trade it for a Briggs & Stratton
I had grown tired of playing with.
That old Maytag was a challenge to get running, for one so young
and inexperienced. It was a 92 single, mounted on an old board with
rubber feet. The disk type pick-up tube had no screen and the end
would often unscrew itself and allow the disk to tall to the bottom
of the tank causing an abrupt stop. Even at my young age I knew the
rod bearing was loose and the flywheel hub was cracked, but I still
enjoyed it for one summer.
Then one day I was persuaded to trade it to a slightly older
friend, for what I can’t remember, now. That was over 35 years
ago but occasionally over the years I would fondly remember the
rattle, the pop and the smoke. I doubted I would ever be able to
track it down again. Who knows how many times it could have changed
hands over all those years.
Then one day Dad asked me to stop after work to see something.
It seems he had spent the day buying engines at an auction in
western Pennsylvania. I didn’t notice at first, but among ten
or so engines sat a tired old Maytag. The same sad original paint,
shortened long tank, broken hub, wood base with rubber feet and
that really strange pulley, like no other. Thanks to my dad I have
my childhood toy back.
I’ve since restored the old Maytag to a mechanically sound
engine, but left some of the differences that make it unique. It
now pops and smokes, but doesn’t rattle, and is a welcome
addition to my engine collection. WELCOME BACK LITTLE MAYTAG!