Some of you might remember last winter John Lefever and I made a trade, my 1957 Westinghouse Wash & Dry Laundromat for his 1947 GE. The 1947 GE is the VERY FIRST General Electric Automatic Washer. Here is a link back to that original thread ---> The Very First GE Automatic Washer
Here is a link to some pictures of the machine ---> Pictures of the 1947 GE
Anyway, tonight I began the long process of it's restoration. I've tried the machine out and it has a few mechanical problems, but its most serious problem is a structural rust problem under the top. With help from another club member I might have found an easy solution to that serious structural problem, but more on that later.
As for the mechanical problems, the both the electric drain and electric recirculation pumps completely seized up, I think the drain pump can be saved but the recirculation pump I'm pretty sure is a goner. Another problem is in the combination Water Temperature Selector/Wash Time Selector Assembly. Its rather tight and in need of a thorough cleaning and lubrication. Its so tight that when the wash time counts down on the dial, it turns the water temp dial and selects a new water temperature. Can't have that, so tonight I took it apart and gave the assembly a total restoration, both dials now turn like they are brand new. YAY.
Here is a link to some pictures of the machine ---> Pictures of the 1947 GE
Anyway, tonight I began the long process of it's restoration. I've tried the machine out and it has a few mechanical problems, but its most serious problem is a structural rust problem under the top. With help from another club member I might have found an easy solution to that serious structural problem, but more on that later.
As for the mechanical problems, the both the electric drain and electric recirculation pumps completely seized up, I think the drain pump can be saved but the recirculation pump I'm pretty sure is a goner. Another problem is in the combination Water Temperature Selector/Wash Time Selector Assembly. Its rather tight and in need of a thorough cleaning and lubrication. Its so tight that when the wash time counts down on the dial, it turns the water temp dial and selects a new water temperature. Can't have that, so tonight I took it apart and gave the assembly a total restoration, both dials now turn like they are brand new. YAY.
