Cracking open an early GE AW6 Drive Unit/Transmission
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macboy91si
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Different Years
Robert, are the internals of these early GE's all interchangeable or are there differences in them? This is an absolutely fascinating transmission, copper bellows and all. It also seems strangely simple and very "car-like" in may respects. Although not REALLY simple, I was expecting a much more complicated unit for whatever reason. It seems like it can be bench serviced pretty easily though, which is good in this case. Is it hard to get the transmission out of the washer? Since it's a sealed oil bath unit I can see why field service was not recommended. I also agree with a statement that was made by someone else about the one that you opened up showing very little wear.
Thanks for posting this little marvel.
-Tim
Robert, are the internals of these early GE's all interchangeable or are there differences in them? This is an absolutely fascinating transmission, copper bellows and all. It also seems strangely simple and very "car-like" in may respects. Although not REALLY simple, I was expecting a much more complicated unit for whatever reason. It seems like it can be bench serviced pretty easily though, which is good in this case. Is it hard to get the transmission out of the washer? Since it's a sealed oil bath unit I can see why field service was not recommended. I also agree with a statement that was made by someone else about the one that you opened up showing very little wear.
Thanks for posting this little marvel.
-Tim
What does that control spring and bracket do?? It looks odd!
I don't know Jon, I can't figure that out either. I'm sure it serves some good purpose.
Robert, are the internals of these early GE's all interchangeable or are there differences in them?
Close but not all Tim, I noticed there was a difference in the design of the clutch drum and related springs in the older 1948 tranny as opposed to the 1950. Thankfully the copper bellows and related parts were exactly the same so it was an easy replacement.
I don't know Jon, I can't figure that out either. I'm sure it serves some good purpose.
Robert, are the internals of these early GE's all interchangeable or are there differences in them?
Close but not all Tim, I noticed there was a difference in the design of the clutch drum and related springs in the older 1948 tranny as opposed to the 1950. Thankfully the copper bellows and related parts were exactly the same so it was an easy replacement.
I have an idea
that spring system looks to me like a centrifugal clutch, it may be that at slow spin the oil pressure is enough to engage spin but as speed picks up,the oil maybe be slung against the inner walls of the copper bellows thus reducing pressure so at that speed the centrifugal spring may take over to keep engagement between the motor and tranny.
You know I just realized, that tranny looks identical to the belt driven trannys of the early 50's, there is just a different bottom plate with a pulley instead of a motor attached. I bet those tranny gears fit all the later machines.
that spring system looks to me like a centrifugal clutch, it may be that at slow spin the oil pressure is enough to engage spin but as speed picks up,the oil maybe be slung against the inner walls of the copper bellows thus reducing pressure so at that speed the centrifugal spring may take over to keep engagement between the motor and tranny.
You know I just realized, that tranny looks identical to the belt driven trannys of the early 50's, there is just a different bottom plate with a pulley instead of a motor attached. I bet those tranny gears fit all the later machines.
After looking at your parts manual
that definitley looks like a centrifugal locking mechanism of some kind. It probably locks out the clutch at high speed for efficiency so that the shaft becomes one solid spin shaft connected to the motor.
that definitley looks like a centrifugal locking mechanism of some kind. It probably locks out the clutch at high speed for efficiency so that the shaft becomes one solid spin shaft connected to the motor.
I love the way the oil
is spurting out the nub in the transmission so "revealing"!
is spurting out the nub in the transmission so "revealing"!
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