1962 PINK GE SD402

[spacepig]

I ended up getting another vintage dishwasher this week--this time a pink one, and this is the one that I would prefer to have in the house. However, it looks like the bottom was cut, and judging from a picture from the owner's manual, I'm missing a water supply valve and it doesn't have a traditional power cord. Any ideas on what to do about this?

As for the pictures, I have some before and afters, and shots from underneath. It had a little plastic bag with some stuff inside that I was told was for the dw, but the bag has "range hood" written on it, so that might have been put in the dw by mistake. There are two metal pieces and several screw looking items. Does anyone recognize those items?

 

[appnut]

Wow!! Nice cleanup of the inside. GE's first wash-arm dishwasher.

 

[repairguy]

Congrats again Jeannine!

 

[pulltostart]

Way to go, Jeannine!

 

lawrence

 

[combo52]

1962 GE Drop Door DW

Wow this is the first of its kind for GE.

 

It hooks up like any other US DW, you can attach a power cord if you like but it is always better [ safer and more reliable] to wire in appliances that draw lots of power directly to your homes power supply.

 

While a very cool DW I dough it would make a great daily driver, first of all these were pretty lousy performing DWs, 2nd parts are long gone and these DWs had fairly short life spans which is why in spite of GE being one of the largest builders of DWs in the 60s that so few of these DWs have survived.

 

John L.

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

Very nice! Still has the solenoid-controlled Rinse Agent dispenser which wouldn't be used again for many years. I remember seeing this model at Bombaci's Gas Station/Appliance Store in Centerbrook CT and noticing those lenticular buttons. We, of course, bought the BOL model because my Mother had decided that she would never spend money on a dishwasher with more than one cycle again.  Looks like the originals owners of this machine got a replacement upper rack, likely provided by their old-fashioned neighborhood GE appliance dealer who wanted to keep them as good customers.

 

Can't speak to how good a cleaner it was because Momma hand-washed everything that went into a dishwasher. Wasn't as loud as the later machines with the clown-shoe wash arm.

[this post was last edited: 9/6/2020-15:21]

 

[chachp]

That machine is stunning!

 

<span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm sure I'll hear about this comment but here goes.  Who gives a shit if it runs, it will look fabulous in your kitchen!!!</span>

 

 

[spacepig]

Thanks guys for all the positive comments. I'm a bit bummed to learn that I may have bought a dud of a dishwasher model. John does bring up a good point as to why it's hard to find DWs of this timeframe, but oh well, I'm kind of stuck with it now. I am disappointed in the size of the interior as it is even smaller than the '70's Whirlpool I had, so I guess there were improvements made 10 years later.

Ken, right now I have a newer dishwasher, and I pretty much have to rinse off everything that goes in it, as it just doesn't clean otherwise. And I'm not talking stuff that is caked on or sat for a while. So, I'm already in the habit of that if that's how it needs to be. Thanks also for the sketch--that is exactly what it looks like!

Ralph, I laughed at your comment--I think it will look fabulous, too. My cabinets are white and other appliances are turquoise, but I do think I"m going to keep the pink for a while vs. painting it.

Jeannine

 

[turquoisedude]

Congratulations on this latest find, Jeannine!   Dumb question - do you have the 3rd-level 'power shower' on this one?  I've got a less-fancy SD203 (a late-run 1963 model) which does not have it. 

 

This one seems to be in really good shape - I'd be tempted to install it and at least test-drive it for a while (says the person who HAS one and still hasn't installed it... LOL)

 

Parts may indeed be an issue, but I culled a few NOS parts from Hans at Appliances Unlimited over the years in case you do ever need something. 

 

 

[spacepig]

Paul,

I'm not sure what you mean by 3rd level. I've attached a snippet from the brochure--is that what you are referring to?

 

[combo52]

Power Shower Washing Down

Hi Jennine, Your has the PS top wash arm, Pauls does not have this extra top arm which really helped wash bits off the outside od glasses etc.

 

John L.

 

[spacepig]

Well, we finally got the dishwasher tested and it worked perfectly--no leaks!! However, we installed it this weekend and of course it started to leak where the drain hose connects to the front (I'm guessing the proper term is "pump outlet" per the picture. We thought it might have been the hose, so we replaced it with another but still leaking. We tried an third time and leaks continued so we gave up and put the crappy newer one back in. We think it may be leaking from inside where the pump outlet joins and that we may have moved it around too much when attaching the hose so broke the seal. Very disappointed as it was going to look so nice

 

[pulltostart]

Jeannine

I posted a similar one in turquoise in the Shoppers Square forum.  Look at it and see if it might make a suitable parts donor.

 

lawrence

 

[spacepig]

Lawrence,

I did see that posted and made a comment. I may ask the seller for a better picture of the underneath where the hose attaches.

 

[combo52]

Leaking 1962 GE DW

If the SS drain tube is slightly loose it is broken loose from the drain pump housing, it is a very involved repair.

 

GE only made this style DW with this motor and pump from around1962-1965, they were terrable performing DWs.

 

The turquoise model that Lawrence posted is the next generation GE DW and is completely different machine, the good news the newer one is a better performer and is more repairable, but it still not a great choice for everyday use at 50 years or age.

 

John L.

 

[spacepig]

John,

I was afraid of that. Thanks for the info even though disappointing. I knew I would lose volume by using the old GE, but I have to scrape and rinse almost everything completely now for the new dishwasher. So while being an under performer, the old would at least be gorgeous to look at!

Jeannine

 

[bradfordwhite]

beautiful Candy Pink

If it were me I'd harvest the door (minus the protruding hinges if there is any) and the access panel, screw the two together permanently (properly spaced) and hang the pair as art. 

 

Maybe even use them as a front for a base cabinet door or even a decent newer dishwasher.

 

Ditch the rest of the useless carcass in the scrap metal bin where it belongs.  Why clutter up one's home with the bulk?

 

It would be cool if the panel lit up some how.  Just a nice glow.

 

[bradfordwhite]

You can't beat how quiet and efficient this is but pretty it is not.

 

It looks like a friggin chalk board before class begins.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Pop this on the front and with the Bosch controls on the top of the door, it's quite easy.

 

A couple of screws to hold it in place.  done.

Maybe need to adjust the springs or get rid of useless metal weight on either door.