Newbie tapping into your collective wisdom.

[newbiequestions]

Hello, I'm a newbie here and need to tap into your collective wisdom. A vintage GE Verstronic dryer came with my house and has been working wonderfully until the belt broke this weekend. I believe it is a 1969 model (electric) and the model number is 820 E2W (I have no manual or paper work on it). I've tried searching online sites that sell GE parts, but none have any information on this model number since it is so old. I believe the belt is a flat 1/4" belt with 4 grooves on the bottom, but there are several versions of this type of belt with varying lenghts. I cannot accurately measure the length of the broken belt because it broke into several pieces. Any idea of the proper replacement belt or, in the alternative, the original part number on the OEM belt that shipped in 1969? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations and welcome

If you can locate an appliance parts dealer in your town, just go in with the information on the metal plate inside the door: Model and Serial numbers. They can look up the part number of the belt for you and sell it to you. Be careful of the wiring when you remove the front to replace the belt. Give the dryer a good vacuuming out. Remove the inset panel at the lower bottom by the vent and vacuum back there also. That's a good dryer. Don't be talked into getting rid of it.

 

[newbiequestions]

Thanks.

I'm traveling for work this week and was hoping to order a replacement belt online and have it waiting for me when I get home late in the week. Even though I'm not home, I took your advice and just contacted a local repair shop via phone and we'll see. They didn't think they could look up a compataible part for this model. They're supposed to call me back. I'm still hoping a member here might have a record of the correct belt for this GE Versatronic. Thank you for the welcome.

 

[DigAPony]

Sometimes, if you're lucky, there will be factory literature inside the control panel with replacement part numbers and other useful info.

The control panel on that model should come off from the front and the whole console lifts out as one unit.

Naturally, remember to unplug the machine and be careful, the wires and such can be brittle with age.

Also, order a new rear drum bearing as well. No doubt the original is worn and you might as well remove the drum anyway to check the front bearings and give it good cleaning.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[newbiequestions]

Thanks for the suggestions on the drum bearing.

DigaPony, I'll take your suggestion on the drum bearing. I was planning on cleaing the unit out well while working on it. Unfortunately, the local shop that I called got back to me and indicated that they only have microfiche cards for GE appliances newer than 1974 models. They seem totally thrown by the model number of my Versatronic dryer. My understanding is that the most commonly used GE dryer drum belt is WE12x10014, which is 87 inches. (This may be flawed, since it's from Internet searches. I'll take real life advice of members of this forum over the Internet any day.) I may order one since I would like to be able to repair this once I get home late in the week. My guess is that this machine may not have instructions on the inside control panel since someone had scraped off half of the wiring diagram that was originally on the back panel. I'm still hoping someone in this forum may be able to give me some guidance on drum belts they've used successfully on 60's Versatronic electric dryers. I greatly appreciate everyone's help. Thank you.

 

[DADoES]

 
Could be wrong but I don't think a 1969 unit has a drum bearing of that style.

 

[laundromat]

If you call GE @ (800 626 2000), with the model and serial number, they may be able to get the correct belt.

 

[newbiequestions]

Loss of info on older collectables due to microfiche

I've actually called a second repair shop to try and find out what drum belt I need, and it appears that those shops with info on older appliances cannot tap into information effectively due to how GE organized and distributed data by microfiche. The metal tag on my model shows a model number of 820 E2W. This second shop had microfiche back to the early 60's, but stated that none of the microfiche list a model number that isn't preceeded by 2 or more letters. Unfortunately, there are no letters preceeding my model number. Without 2 preceeding letters, they cannot search. So, it's too bad GE didn't put all their appliance ID data on the permanent tags on appliances. It would appear that GE's data system insures obsolecense on older collectable appliances because you cannot search for any data. I hate to think that a broken belt on an otherwise functioning dryer will be it's demise.

 

[akronman]

demise?

Oh, Ebay has 149 belts under the search "ge dryer belt." Starting at $2.95, then moving to $5.95 and $7.95.  Buy one, see if it works. If it doesn't, then measure it and figure if you need a slightly shorter or longer belt, then spend another $5.95.  Very cheap considering a new dryer price.

 

Take a picture of your dryer, door open and door closed, it might help someone here suggest an exact belt. And if it's already somehwat apart to get to the belt and pulley, then more pics and more posting. I just can't imagine a working GE dryer and not being able to find a belt. OR, get a ball of string and wind it around the drum and pulley and idler, measure it and go from there. Do not give up. GE made good dryers, easy to keep running for a long time, inexpensively.

 

[coldspot66]

It's probably a WE12x36 3 ribs 87" length or a WE12x82 which is a 4 rib 87" length.

 

[DigAPony]

don't think a 1969 unit has a drum bearing

The new style rear drum bearing replaces the older design and eliminates a spacer or two in the process.

The older model numbers can be a problem when looking for parts. However, many of the common service parts are the same items used on later model GE dryers into the early 90's.

 

[DigAPony]

Forgot to mention, I think you can get access inside the control panel on that model by simply removing the console top cover and trim.

 

[yogitunes]

this is a tough one.....lets try this.....is your inside door opening "D" shaped or Round?...that would determine large or exlarge capacity....

otherwise...where's JohnL or Ken....they would know for sure....