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Thread Number: 74272
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Another GE find |
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Post# 980634 1/30/2018 at 19:00 (2,267 days old) by jons1077  (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Random find on Craigslist Portland the other day. Apparently the home was a bit of a time capsule from 1968 so these machines stayed inside the same laundry room since purchased new. They are quite clean and functional. Unfortunately no mini basket or fabrics softener dispenser. Looks like someone decided to be creative with the agitator as well. I’m particularly excited about a specific feature to these machines having to do with the panels. I love Versatronic dryers too. I will get the model numbers of these and post in a couple days. I assume these to be a step down from the three speed set. Original
tranny. Rust free and no apparent leaks. I look forward to your comments! | ||
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| Post# 980635 , Reply# 1 1/30/2018 at 19:05 (2,267 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK) | ||
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| Post# 980636 , Reply# 2 1/30/2018 at 19:08 (2,267 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod) | ||
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Post# 980642 , Reply# 3 1/30/2018 at 19:52 (2,267 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA) |
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Great catch! Give me a call when you get a chance. | ||
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Post# 980646 , Reply# 4 1/30/2018 at 20:15 (2,267 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Score! | ||
| Post# 980648 , Reply# 5 1/30/2018 at 20:53 (2,267 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) | ||
Aferim! 1969 was a good year.
Is it the photo or are those dials really backlit?
This was the last year for the V-12 style bent-rod lid hinges. BTW, what happened to that Activator? No loss, replace it with the spiral ramped version for better rollover.
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Post# 980649 , Reply# 6 1/30/2018 at 20:56 (2,267 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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Post# 980650 , Reply# 7 1/30/2018 at 21:04 (2,267 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Post# 980658 , Reply# 8 1/30/2018 at 22:32 (2,267 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.)) |
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I think you're right Robert | ||
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Post# 980661 , Reply# 9 1/30/2018 at 22:49 (2,267 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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| Post# 980667 , Reply# 10 1/30/2018 at 23:23 (2,267 days old) by Washlogic (virginia) | ||
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The pointy tips on the agitator Wont that snag knitted garments??? | ||
| Post# 980668 , Reply# 11 1/30/2018 at 23:25 (2,267 days old) by Washlogic (virginia) | ||
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Looks like it would would snag
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Post# 980670 , Reply# 12 1/31/2018 at 00:25 (2,267 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc) |
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The tops of the agitator vanes shown look kinda sharp-I would take my file and sandpaper and round,smooth them down! | ||
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Post# 980695 , Reply# 13 1/31/2018 at 08:01 (2,266 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Post# 980697 , Reply# 14 1/31/2018 at 08:20 (2,266 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Post# 980704 , Reply# 15 1/31/2018 at 08:49 (2,266 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey) |
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Post# 980707 , Reply# 16 1/31/2018 at 09:02 (2,266 days old) by chetlaham (United States) |
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Post# 980709 , Reply# 17 1/31/2018 at 09:48 (2,266 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Thanks for the feedback! I have a Bakelite ramp activator that will replace the”custom” agitator that was included. The dials indeed do light up which is something I had completely forgotten about. Versatility and durability are some of my favorite traits with these GEs. Hard to believe I picked up my 68’ pair 10 years ago and they’re still going strong. Feels good to find another good set after years of nothing.
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Post# 980711 , Reply# 18 1/31/2018 at 09:59 (2,266 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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I believe that agitator is supposed to look more like this:
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Post# 980712 , Reply# 19 1/31/2018 at 10:04 (2,266 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Should look like this
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| Post# 980729 , Reply# 20 1/31/2018 at 11:41 (2,266 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) | ||
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So it looks like back-lit dials were a feature of 1968 and 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.
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Post# 980736 , Reply# 21 1/31/2018 at 12:34 (2,266 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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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 !!! CLICK HERE TO GO TO Jetcone's LINK
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This post was last edited 01/31/2018 at 12:58 | ||
| Post# 980799 , Reply# 22 1/31/2018 at 22:20 (2,266 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
WOWZERS!! | ||
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Post# 980911 , Reply# 23 2/1/2018 at 21:36 (2,265 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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 | ||
| Post# 980915 , Reply# 24 2/1/2018 at 21:56 (2,265 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut) | ||
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A couple of suggestions:
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.
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Post# 980945 , Reply# 25 2/2/2018 at 07:41 (2,264 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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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. | ||
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Post# 980947 , Reply# 26 2/2/2018 at 07:56 (2,264 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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. | ||
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Post# 980948 , Reply# 27 2/2/2018 at 08:05 (2,264 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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. | ||
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Post# 981420 , Reply# 28 2/5/2018 at 18:52 (2,261 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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! | ||
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Post# 981424 , Reply# 29 2/5/2018 at 19:34 (2,261 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Post# 981430 , Reply# 30 2/5/2018 at 20:09 (2,261 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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! | ||
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Post# 982065 , Reply# 31 2/9/2018 at 17:55 (2,257 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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! | ||
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Post# 982070 , Reply# 32 2/9/2018 at 18:20 (2,257 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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| Post# 982139 , Reply# 33 2/10/2018 at 08:47 (2,256 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey) | ||
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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... | ||
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Post# 982145 , Reply# 34 2/10/2018 at 10:19 (2,256 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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.
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Post# 982227 , Reply# 35 2/10/2018 at 23:32 (2,256 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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.
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Post# 982245 , Reply# 36 2/11/2018 at 02:01 (2,256 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Cleaning up
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| Post# 982248 , Reply# 37 2/11/2018 at 02:46 (2,255 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA) | ||
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"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? | ||
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Post# 982389 , Reply# 38 2/11/2018 at 20:12 (2,255 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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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. | ||
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