An update on the 1960 GE WA350 Automatic washer

[turquoisedude]

GE 1WA352T1W - 1960-2016

Sigh...  It was with a heavy heart that I made the decision to walk away from this 'project' on the weekend.   I just don't have the know-how, equipment, and spare parts to rebuild a GE washer transmission;  I hate to give up but there was just no easy way out of this one... 

 

I am trying not to take this as a personal failure;  I learned a great deal about the mechanics of a GE washer and tearing the machine down will hopefully help me with the '57 and '53 washers that I have been reluctant to work on due to my lack of familiarity with GE washers.   And I can take some solace knowing that I was able to save a good motor/clutch, timer, water level switch, and possibly the water valve.  That motor may just be what the '53 needs!

 

And in the greater scheme of things,  I will now have room for the Norge (which I am remaining optimistic about), eventually the ABC-O-Matic, and there may even be something new making its way into the washer collection soon...  Stay tuned.

 

[pulltostart]

OMG

That breaks my heart.  I don't believe I've ever seen a sadder photo - a dead Filter-flo.

 

lawrence

 

[volvoguy87]

Transplant.

I think another, much newer, transmission can be used in its place.
Dave

 

[phmorrow]

I agree

I'm pretty sure they used that same Trans. For 30 years or so, you could probably find a newer filter flo in a scrap yard..

 

[jetcone]

Whoa!

Somebody Save That !!!

 

[norgeway]

The solid tubs

Used a different transmission, they didn't have the brake in them.

 

[volvoguy87]

Difference.

I am completely unfamiliar with the solid tub GEs.
Are the solid tub and perf tub transmissions the same dimensions? If the difference is only the presence of a brake inside, how would that alter the performance?

Dave

 

[Unimatic1140]

The transmission between the perforated tub GE washers and the solid tub are completely different. For one thing the agitation is a shorter faster stroke in the perforated tub machines, the solid tub had a longer stroke slower agitation. GE did add a tub brake to the 1960 solid tub washers, the least year before they went to the perforated tub redesign. The spin speed on the solid tubs was about 650rpm and they reduced it to 575rpm on the perforated tubs.

I'm not sure the tub mount would even fit the earlier solid tub machines. So the newer perforated tub transmission are not a good substitute for the older machines.

 

[bajaespuma]

Esteemed Nemesis, this is not a failure!

This was an honorable quest with unexpected outcomes and rewards. Being your arch-nemesis I should be jumping up and down and clapping my hands with glee(isn't that how our people are supposed to do it?) at your trials but it occurs to me that you chose to rescue a machine that on its best day was a parts-donor. Do put aside this frustration for now and preserve all those lovely and always unavailable parts for use or for profit. I have no doubt that another solid-tub Filter-Flo will present itself in time.

 

Meanwhiles, I continue my quest for the rare turquoise Empress 30

 

[combo52]

Late 50s solid tub GE washers

The transmissions in the preparated basket washers was considerably beefed up in a much more reliable unit and definitely not interchangeable unfortunately.

Hopefully a good donor transmission will show up, last Saturday I was in Larry's old parts shop in Ohio and they're still quite a few parts for those older transmissions in there. Sharon Larry's widow just sold the shop to VNV appliance parts but so far the parts are still there.

 

[rpms]

That last picture of the washer out in the snow is so sad looking.