Progress report on the 57 GE washer

[turquoisedude]

I am staying true to my pledge.... to work on the '57 GE washer, that is!

 

After spending the winter out in the garage, I figured the first thing to try would be the motor.  Recall that I  A: had a big screaming beeyach of a time getting that motor out but B: I did manage to repair the starting switch. 

 

My motor repair skills must be improving... 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

I wanted to try a water test, but the 'nag centre' of my addled brain said "don't".  I yielded to the nag and tried to see if I could remove the tub.

I did and without wrecking the filter-flo hose or the suds return hose.  A miracle!!

 

[turquoisedude]

My nag centre was right... the transmission boot was split (quite probably from a 7-hour shake session moving the washer on its side...).

So out it went!

 

[turquoisedude]

I have been prepping for this restoration for years and I am glad I had the good sense to have gotten a new boot!! This one was gotten in 2013 at Modern Parts...

Installation went just fine!

 

[turquoisedude]

I was feeling courageous so I re-installed the pump and ran water into tub...

 

[turquoisedude]

Well, the boot was good and leakproof but there was a drip around where the pump sits below the tub.  That wasn't completely unexpected, so off with the pump and off to dig for the silicone...

 

[turquoisedude]

While I had the pump out, the nag centre kicked in with a concern about the flapper valve inside the pump.

I need to pay more attention to this nag centre... the flapper valve was stuck and would not have directed water into the filter-flo return pipe.  That was cured with a brief soak in hot tap water.

 

[blackstone]

NOW I recognize this machine; on your Facebook post, I didn't see the insides. All looks familiar now.

Always was a dilemma with the metal clamps on the pump & motor--do I remove the screw and clamp completely, or just loosen it enough to slide off?

 

[turquoisedude]

I re-installed the pump, with a coating of the old reliable blue RTV silicone on the gasket.  At this point I figured it would be wise to test the water inlet valve (yeah, I know...me thinking of that BEFORE I reassembled the washer!!).  Well it checked out and should be fine when Maiden Wash Day rolls around.

I won't get back to the house in Ogden until Friday now but you can bet there will be another water test!!  Stay tuned ...

 

[pulltostart]

Congratulations!

Paul - so glad to see that this one FINALLY moved to the front of the line.  Keep up the good work and pictures!!!

 

lawrence

 

[gansky1]

You were smart to grab that boot, a must-have for those solid-tub GE's as they were quite different than the later boots.

Nice to see that washer getting a new lease on life, it's such a pretty GE design.

 

[potatochips]

Nice job, Paul! Thanks for sharing. Cant wait to see the end result!

 

[peteski50]

57 GE!

Great job Paul - real nice machine!

 

[bajaespuma]

Nemesis AND Hero

You are an inspiration. Tell Hubby to build you another storehouse. These models were the beginning of the raised panel Filter-Flo's that lasted until 1963; were and are my favorites. The pink color is so GE and splendid and, as we both know, was lateraled over to the dishwashers for many years. The backsplash design on these units was clever and unique; leftovers were used up for a near-TOL model for the beginning of the 1958 line, but then disappeared. Aferim! Do you have the proper copper filter pan for this machine?

 

[turquoisedude]

Copper filter pan

Yes, I was thrilled to see it was still there when I first got the washer!  

 

And here's an oddity, perhaps because this is a "Canadian" model - the model tag identifies it as a WA857P, yet on the lid instructions the model is stated as WA855.  The model tag also has the CSA (Canada Standards Association - the equivalent of UL) but states the machine was born in Appliance Park, USA.  Go figure... 

 

[pulltostart]

Paul,

The WA850P was the "normal" model, WA855P was the suds return model.  Perhaps the "7" indicates it was built for export?

 

lawrence

 

[appliguy]

Maybe....

Canada has a rule that whether the appliance is made in Canada or not, before it can be sold there the model has to be tested and certified by the CSA! PAT COFFEY

 

[turquoisedude]

That could well be...  I've got a Frigidaire dishwasher (a '57 according to the US date charts, but seller had a bill of sale from '58) that was made in Dayton but had the CSA stamp. 

 

Not sure when, but GE (and Frigidaire among others) did start building appliances in Canada.  I'd have to guess in the early 60s - I remember that the fabled GE V12 set of my youth definitely said "Made in Canada, eh" on the model tag...   

 

[mickeyd]

After watching the movie right away, I thought, how is that Wizard Paul getting the GE to agitate without water? And then, OH MY, a suds. Have never had the GE suds experience. Is it as much fun as classic WP/KM--pump on full speed! Must be cool to see the suds coming from the top, huh?

Good luck, my friend, but you always manage regardless. Have a Turquoise surprise coming soon you'll enjoy!