I just replaced the bearing slide and drum sleeves as I they were making noise, better, but still some noise, not sure what.
but my real question, after putting all back together, now when I turn the start switch and hold it on it runs, if I let go it stops,
what happened??

urban

I do not hacve a wiring diagram for this unit but the problem is likely in the motor area.

One of the centrifugal switches which activates when the motor gets close to operating speed has two functions.

1. Removes the start winding from the circuit as leaving it in circuit would cause the motor to overheat.

2. Provides an alternate/parallel circuit path around the start switch. This lets you release the start button and the unit keeps running.

On some GE's this alternate circuit path runs through the idler-wheel/belt switch. Perhaps either this switch is not closing or a wire has come off.