GE FF Motor/Clutch advice please

I recently was given a mid 80s single speed FF washer by a friend's dad. He said he knows something was wrong with the machine but he couldn't remember exactly what as he had several machines there, but thought the clutch was worn out. Anyway the machine agitates great with plenty of force. The problem is when it starts to spin, you can tell the start windings continue to engage longer than the simple startup. There is an obvious sound change but too subtle for me to video it. The machine actually has a burning wire smell at times as well. The last time I used the washer, I stopped the machine at rinse to go out for a while with friends. I came back and let it finish the rinse and when spin began, the start up lasted so long that the motor thermal protection kicked in and even smoke came out.
I have noticed the spins seem very slow compared to what I remember of prior FF machines. The final spin appears even slower than the first.
My question is, slippage with the clutch would be very minimal for the agitation. The spin should allow enough slipping to prevent the full weight of the tub to be placed on the motor at start up. Do you think that the clutch is the issue or is it the motor going out? I thought if the clutch is not allowing enough slippage, the motor can not get up to full speed fast enough that the start winding stay engaged and overheat.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!


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Post# 870187 3/2/2016 at 20:32 (2,976 days old) by tnmike (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Checkrate/Likes I recently was given a mid 80s single speed FF washer by a friend's dad. He said he knows something was wrong with the machine but he couldn't remember exactly what as he had several machines there, but thought the clutch was worn out. Anyway the machine agitates great with plenty of force. The problem is when it starts to spin, you can tell the start windings continue to engage longer than the simple startup. There is an obvious sound change but too subtle for me to video it. The machine actually has a burning wire smell at times as well. The last time I used the washer, I stopped the machine at rinse to go out for a while with friends. I came back and let it finish the rinse and when spin began, the start up lasted so long that the motor thermal protection kicked in and even smoke came out. I have noticed the spins seem very slow compared to what I remember of prior FF machines. The final spin appears even slower than the first. My question is, slippage with the clutch would be very minimal for the agitation. The spin should allow enough slipping to prevent the full weight of the tub to be placed on the motor at start up. Do you think that the clutch is the issue or is it the motor going out? I thought if the clutch is not allowing enough slippage, the motor can not get up to full speed fast enough that the start winding stay engaged and overheat. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Post# 870193 , Reply# 1 3/2/2016 at 21:05 (2,976 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)
Checkrate/Likes 1 sounds like the clutch is locked up alright-could be water has gotten into the clutch drum ball bearing and rusted it up-drum should turn freely from the pump hub,clutch shoes forced against the inside of drum when motor runs-how does washer behave when a "dry' spin is run?

Post# 870195 , Reply# 2 3/2/2016 at 21:20 (2,976 days old) by tnmike (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Checkrate/Likes *Dry Run* The machine still has the long start winding sound but is much shorter. Speed seems OK. I think I need to just take the belt off and start the motor, but with no load, it will probably perform well. I rebuilt a FF back in 1988. Brings back memories :) I appreciate your response!