1957 GE Washer restoration (parts sourcing)

[delco1946]

Welp, I started to disassemble the washer tonight. I didn’t get far before I figured I’d better tackle this when I have more energy. I can already tell I need a new tub gasket (crispy and breaking from the weight of the cover) and inlet nozzle( missing). So I’m wondering if folks have sources for these items or part numbers (I’m not finding part number for either of these in the service manual).

Also wondering if there are other parts I should be preparing to replace and hunt for? Based on how crispy the tub gasket is it makes me think that most rubber pieces may also be problematic. Thanks!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Christopher, as for the tub gasket what I do with those is I gently remove the big round tub gasket and apply a bead of silicone seal in the U shape under then gasket then I reinstall the gasket this prevents water from going under the gasket. Now to prevent water from going over the gasket use a strip of self-adhesive "closed cell" foam (rubber weather stripping) and cover the entire top of the gasket with it. Closed cell foam has never failed me, I've used it on the majority of my machines to enhance an old hardened gasket.

 

[delco1946]

Thanks for the reply Robert! I can try and save the old gasket but Im not sure this will work for me - the gasket is rock hard / brittle and just cracking off ( and oily). I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything like it ( and hope it doesn’t mean the other rubber gaskets/seals are in the same shape). Every time I set the cover back down I can hear it crack another piece of gasket off despite being gentle.

 

[swestoyz]

Chris -

Grab this fill flume ASAP (GE PN WH41X71). Odd that it was missing to begin with, and quite possibly was missing as they are very easy to damage when removing the tops on these. In 1958 GE revised the flume to incorporate the outlet for the fabric softener, and was then considered the universal replacement for all 1957-1960 solid tubs by plugging the outlet with a cap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115415301786

As for your tub seal, I feel your pain. I probably found the last NOS tub seal in the country when I restored the '58. It seems that the rubber GE used on these dries out and gets oily and hard - the seal on my '58 was the same, as well as a few earlier solid tubs I've worked on as well. It will shatter by just looking at it!

You'll need to get creative in finding a single channel seal to replace the GE one. Something like this would be a good place to start. I don't recall what the outer tub panel thickness is, but measure that first before buying anything.

Do you know what the condition is of the outer tub boot? Hopefully it's a later Star Boot replacement?

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

 

[delco1946]

Hi Ben!

Thanks for the links, but I have noticed whenever you link to something, someone else swoops in and buys it. I guess if you finds parts in the future if you’re able to email me or message me privately, that would certainly be appreciated! Better luck next time I guess but at least I can start to search for it with a part number!

Thanks for the other link and honestly I don’t know what an outer tub boot is….yet. If that’s the one under the agitator (someone else calls it a transmission boot tho?)I haven’t gotten that far!