Clock buzzing ... meaning a mechanical minute timer?

The continuous buzzing sound may indicate a problem with the clock or timer mechanism. It could be due to a wiring issue or a malfunctioning component. While some appliance professionals may be hesitant to work on older appliances, it's worth consulting a specialized technician who has experience with these. They may be able to diagnose and repair the issue.

If your space won't accommodate a new oven with a depth greater than 27.25 inches, you might want to consider looking for a replacement oven specifically designed for smaller or older kitchen spaces.

Question: You are looking for a new range with a depth less "than 27.25 in. with handle in order to clear adjacent dishwasher." I'm picturing an "L" or "U" shaped kitchen with the vintage stove and dishwasher on adjacent sides of a corner. Is that correct?

If so, I'm recalling threads on this topic from a couple of years ago. The news then was not good for a simple or inexpensive replacement range.

One of the threads was this one:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6207600/help-i-need-an-electric-range-that-is-less-than-27-deep-total#n=29

However, all of the suggestions in that thread for "shallow-depth" replacements are very expensive and some of the suggested ranges would require upgrading the wiring and circuit breaker for the stove's electrical circuit. IME, vintage GE models will be plugged into a 40 amp circuit. A fair number of current electric and induction models would require upgrading the breaker and wiring for 50 amp service.

I can't find the other thread --- it might have been on a different site --- but here is what I recall. IIRC, the suggestions for a replacement were to look at 24"-wide ranges which often have shallower depths than 30" ranges . If the smaller range would not be too small for your needs, it would require: (i) a filler strip of some kind to cover the 6" gap in the stove space and (ii) you would need to install (or have somebody competent install) the range with a three-prong power cord rather than a four prong cord. Your 1981 GE would have come with a cord for a three prong outlet. Codes now require 4-prong outlets in new construction and remodeling but allow continued use of existing three prong outlets, Most current electric stove models can be fitted with either kind of plug. BOth are readily available. Otherwise, the suggestions in the thread were the expected ones which were to take this breakdown as a sign that it is time to remodel and rewire your kitchen.

For repair options (suggested by dadoes and Josef Eshet above), is there a used appliances store in your area? Maybe your area has a Habitat for Humanity ReStore or something similar? They may have or can scrounge replacement parts for a "vintage range" model like yours and may employ somebody who still works on vintage ranges. .eBay has long been a source of replacement parts for vintage ranges. If a ReStore or used appliance store does not have somebody on staff to work on vintage stoves, they may be able to point you to somebody in your area who does. If worse comes to worse, a used appliance store might possibly have a replacement model that would fit but you will probably have to go there with a tape measure and check for yourself.

Maybe somebody else will have better news.

What is the model number of the range?

Do you need the clock? Would it be acceptable to disconnect it?

• Electrolux ECFI3068AS 30 Inch Freestanding Electric Induction Range: 24-13/16" deep without handle
• Midea MES30S2AST 30 Inch Smart Slide-in Electric Range: 26-5/16" deep but spec does not say whether this includes the handle. You would need to measure.

That Electrolux induction range is interesting and may be shallow enough to fit the OP's space. I see AJ Madison is listing the stove with a 25 7/8" depth. That may be the depth with the handle judging from side-view photos of the stove. In the photos, it looks like its oven is set back from the top-front which leaves the oven handle projecting only a little bit beyond the 24 13/16 inch spec for the depth across the stovetop. Might be worth calling Electrolux Customer support to see what they say about actual depth.

Also, the stove runs off a 40 amp circuit, so no electrical upgrades needed.

However, the price is $3900 at the link and several other online vendor sites. (More at AJ Madison but they may match.) A lot less than the models listed in the linked thread above about 27-inch depth ranges from a couple of years ago, but still expensive.

Up to the OP whether the expense of the E'lux stove (and the cost of any needed induction-compatible cookware) would be both financially feasible and preferable to trying to rebuild the old GE with scrounged parts. Or trying to find a similarly shallow-depth vintage replacement if any are available to them in their area.

Oh, and for the OP, your stove's model number could be helpful. Dadoes and others are sometimes able to use the model number to look up what might be involved with fixing/replacing the clock and where you might find parts.