Another GE find

[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. 

 

[jons1077]

Bob

Good to hear from you! I was just thinking about how I hadn’t seen any truly vintage washer/dryer sets in years but I admittedly haven’t been looking lately. It’s not like I needed another avocado green set of GEs but I’m excited about the quirky little differences in these. I’ll be sure to post some
“Bob loads” in your honor once they’re all ready to go!

 

[jons1077]

Unfortunately...

Finally got to dive in to this machine a little today. Wash tub looks great and rust free but as for the outer tub...yikes! The rim has completed corroded through in a few places and will need to be reconstructed. Transmission boot was well sealed and appears to be ok with no major corrosion. I’ll get to work on this tub rust issue and POR-15 most of it so I don’t have this issue again. Then I’ll be checking out the speed solenoid. Unfortunately, the speed solenoid on my parts machine was broken. Apparently someone was switching speeds while the machine was running at some point. Oh well!

More to come!

 

[appnut]

You definitely have your work cut out for you!!  I know you'll make it outstanding!!!

 

[wft2800]

I wonder whether it wouldn't be easier/cheaper to get a replacement tub, either a NOS part (if available) or a better one from a donor parts machine...

 

[jons1077]

Outer tub swap

I am considering swapping outer tubs with the one donor machine I have. Problem is one really isn’t much better than the other. I also want to keep the original fill flume instead of switching it to be more downward flumes in be newer models. I’ve patched horrible outer tubs with good success before so I’m going to try in this one. The tricky part will be getting a good clean edge on the rim so the gasket seats correctly. I should be able to accomplish that with sand paper. Fiberglass material worked great before.

 

[jons1077]

Bondo-a-go-go

Two patches are setting and one more to go. Outer tub and top got a good scrubbing and brushing. Besides the outer rim things don’t look too bad. Finish patching tonight, sand and smooth the areas and then on to POR-15 treatment.

 

[jons1077]

Cleaning up

Lid, gasket and parts all scrubbed and clean.

 

[toploadloyalist]

"LID UP PREVENTS SPIN ACTION", but not agitation act

I had neighbors who had a GE washer from that c.1969 era. I remember that it continued agitating with the lid open, as told in the upper left part of the lid instructions. What year did GE washers first stop agitating with the lid open?

 

[jons1077]

I’m certainly no expert but I assume around 1970 when the lid hinges switched from recessed to rear mount and the lid switch was no longer hidden but rather made a punch hole in the lid is when they must have made it completely disable the machine.

Btw bondo ain’t working. Apparently it’s too cold and that is entirely frustrating.