Another GE find

[jons1077]

Random find on Craigslist Portland the other day. Apparently the home was a bit of a time capsule from 1968 so these machines stayed inside the same laundry room since purchased new. They are quite clean and functional. Unfortunately no mini basket or fabrics softener dispenser. Looks like someone decided to be creative with the agitator as well. I’m particularly excited about a specific feature to these machines having to do with the panels. I love Versatronic dryers too. I will get the model numbers of these and post in a couple days. I assume these to be a step down from the three speed set. Original
tranny. Rust free and no apparent leaks. I look forward to your comments!

 

[stricklybojack]

.
I think GE washer & dryer styling was best during this era.
Those are smart looking machines! Congrats.

 

[toploader55]

Same Washer as my Grams.

Love that set and great memories.

 

[gyrafoam]

Great catch! Give me a call when you get a chance.

 

[washerlover]

Score!

Excellent find! And love the avocado green!

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

1969 was a good year.

 

Is it the photo or are those dials really backlit?

 

This was the last year for the V-12 style bent-rod lid hinges. BTW, what happened to that Activator? No loss, replace it with the spiral ramped version for better rollover.

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow!  Nice to see there are still some goodies out there... LOL   Can't wait to see more!

 

 

[Unimatic1140]

Super cool Jon! Love the avocado, I was going to guess 1970 at first glance, but '69 sounds right. Something looks odd with the activator or is it me?

 

[whirlykenmore78]

I think you're right Robert

The vertical fins on the Activator appear to be broke off about 1/2 way up at an angle. I can only think of a severely overloaded Mini-Basket that would put that kind of strain on the agitator to break the fins.
WK78

 

[frigilux]

Great find, Jon! Classic GE styling and cycle dial. Excellent flexibility with the temp and speed controls.

Would hate to have the sharp edges on those broken or altered agitator fins tearing through a load at full speed.

 

[washlogic]

The pointy tips on the agitator

Wont that snag knitted garments???

 

[washlogic]

Looks like it would would snag

 

[tolivac]

The tops of the agitator vanes shown look kinda sharp-I would take my file and sandpaper and round,smooth them down!

 

[gansky1]

Great find, Jon.   Very handsome panel, the backlit dial is so cool.   Please do a video of that pruned Activator, I'll bet it's interesting to see.

 

[swestoyz]

The back-lit dials are a nice treat! Congrats on the find!

 

[yogitunes]

what a beautiful set.....great save

I would have thought somewhere in the 70's, until I seen the lid hinges and the capacity....

fantastic that you can match any wash/spin speed and water temp combinations to a cycle for customization...

 

[Chetlaham]

I don't blame them on the agi- those things are rough. I prefer a ramp- gentlest in my experience.

 

[jons1077]

Thanks for the feedback! I have a Bakelite ramp activator that will replace the”custom” agitator that was included. The dials indeed do light up which is something I had completely forgotten about. Versatility and durability are some of my favorite traits with these GEs. Hard to believe I picked up my 68’ pair 10 years ago and they’re still going strong. Feels good to find another good set after years of nothing.

 

[frigilux]

I believe that agitator is supposed to look more like this:

 

[jons1077]

Should look like this

 

[bajaespuma]

So it looks like back-lit dials were a feature of 1968 <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the 1969 model lines. TTBOMK, they discontinued them in 1970.

 

Don't throw away that maimed Activator.  I once sawed off the vertical fins on the Straight-4 Activator (and then sanded the cuts, of course) and ended up with my own home-made accessory "delicates" activator. And it still held a mini-basket. As long as the damage is already done, have some fun. I used a coping saw to do it. That plastic is very strong.

 

[jetcone]

Those are a nice find Jon

Lots of options with lighted dials!! I hate struggling in the dark with cycle selection

Boy has my tub cleaned up in the last several years take a comparasion between Frigilux’s post and today.

PS jon I’m glad to see your workshop organization resembles mine !!![this post was last edited: 1/31/2018-12:58]

http://m M

 

[hippiedoll]

WOWZERS!!

CONGRATULATIONS on a very cool looking set!

I love the;
Lit cycle selector knobs
The color
The versatile speed selections
The variable temperature selections
And the year!

GREAT SCORE THERE!
Doing the HAPPY DANCE for you on this side of the computer
;oD

 

[jons1077]

Updates

Hooked up the washer and it fires right up as any old GE would. This of course was after popping the top and disabling the lid switch...a must! Outer tub is rusted in the typical places around the gasket. Gasket is original and petrified so will be working on replacing that and sealing/treating rusted areas. Basket looks great with no rusty holes in the balance ring. Inlet valve is sluggish and leaking so will replace. Original transmission is so quiet and smooth. Tub indexes a bit but not enough for me to care as I’d like to keep the old tranny. Slow speed did not engage initially and then after a few runs it would only briefly so may need to replace the solenoid. Controls all seem to be functional.

I get the impression these machines sat unused for a long time so they may need a little usage to bring them back to life. The lighted dials are pretty cool. Btw, noticed the “low” water level on this machine is way lower than my ‘68. All water levels are spot on though. Something must have changed in their manufacturing to allow more water level flexibility?

So lots to do but I enjoy working on these so it’ll be fun having it all fixed up! Tomorrow I will check out the dryer.

Model and serial:
1WA 750 L2 A Ser. RD140201
1DE 720 E2 A Ser. SD208956

 

[bajaespuma]

A couple of suggestions:

 

<ol>
<li>I've fixed a lot of inlet solenoids by taking them apart and cleaning the cylinders and pistons with a detergent, then some descaler and then a little WD-40 or Teflon Bike spray. Not hard if you are patient and good at keeping track of small parts.</li>
<li>GE washbaskets do index a tiny bit during agitation.</li>
<li>I've used BONDO on GE outer tubs with success. The tub gaskets do show up periodically on eBay.</li>
</ol>
Your washer is, according to the rating plate, a 1970 model. There were a few 1969 models that made it into the 1970 line, but they were oddballs. Yours is and exceptionally full-featured oddball. The model pictured below is another 1969 holdover very similar to yours.

 

[combo52]

Great Find Jon

These are differently about the best era of GE laundry appliances [ and my favorite as well ] I just wish that I could find a GE Versatronic washer from this time period, I would love to try getting the variable speed clutch to operate properly [ I have a spare clutch assembly that I took out of one about 30 years ago ]

 

It would be interesting to know what happened to or was done  deliberately to that agitator, in any event I would keep it as Ken suggested and maybe modify it further.  I have always observed that the straight vane agitator like this turns over a big load better than the swirly vane agitators, the swirly vane are more fun to watch with smaller loads.

 

If you are going to try to rebuild the old inlet valve don't waste your time unless you have new rubber valve diaphragms, but overall unless you like to play with floods and machines that don't work properly put in a NEW valve while we can still get them.

 

John L.

 

[jons1077]

Interesting information. 1970 must have been one of those transitional years for the GE line-up. I always assumed that appliance manufacturing was similar to that of automobiles in that they would release the next year’s models during the previous year by several months or so. Throw in a few styling changes and use up remaining stock from older model years.

And thanks for the heads up on Bondo. I can’t remember what I used to repair the horrific outer tub of the Dispensall but I patched it up and had to cut new holes for recirculating and drain hoses using the fiberglass sheets and bonding. POR-15 was coated over the rest of the areas to seal. Worked like a charm and doesn’t leak a drop.

 

[jons1077]

John

Thank you! I picked up a late 80’s FF over the summer to break down for parts so I’m just going to change out the inlet valves with the newer one. I had to do that on the 68’ as well as that one had developed a hairline crack. Probably swap the speed solenoid as well. My biggest fear is not breaking the tub bolts. I’ll probably apply heat first and hope that breaks any bonding. I’d hate to have to search for yet another impossible to find transmission.

Next time I’m in Maryland I want to see that variable speed clutch. These clutches are so interesting to me. They even sound different. The three speed is a bit noisier than this 2-speed and has a very characteristic sound to it. This oddball washer is incredibly quiet. I mean really quiet.

 

[jons1077]

I found an agitamer!

Not really but I did find the perfect alternative. I can finally say there’s a benefit my job provided me that enhanced my appliance collection...pressure bags! Septic and need a fluid bolus or simply can’t get that pesky agitater out of your old washer? Pressure bags to the rescue! Easily fits under the agitator skirt. A few pumps of air and “pop!” It was that easy!

Also happened to find this beautiful Bakelite ramp agitater so we will be set!

 

[appnut]

Jon!! I thought I'd already posted a reply that first night you posted.  I apologize.  An amazing set.  I'm so happy you found another great set worthy of you.  Now very special sets you possess.  I look forward to your progress with these.