1968-69 GE Normal Wash Video

[jons1077]

OK, I guess I'm a little camera happy lately. You all got to see the mini-basket so now it's time for a really wash load. I did this one today with a load of sheets. I tried to do various shots and angles. Some with the filter-flo pan, jet-swirl, and some without to give you different views. I have to say the one thing I always liked about the older Filter-Flo's is the really high water level. Anyone know why the later models had the levels lowered? Always wondered that.

Anyways, enjoy this video and, as always, I look forward to feedback and comments!

Jon

 

[jons1077]

Some more pics...

Here's a picture of the lid instructions for a 3-speed machine.

 

[jons1077]

V-16 Agitator

For you GE experts out there. Notice there were a couple of different versions of V-16 activators out there? There is a subtle difference between the two. Any takers?

 

[jons1077]

V-14 Activator

This was a cool find on Ebay and a heck of an agitator! I think both get great turnover but this one is REALLY fast with turnover.

 

[jons1077]

Mini-Basket

Here's a birdseye view of the mini-basket. Notice the holes in the bottom. That is the ONLY kind of neutral a GE should ever have had!!!

 

[jons1077]

Matching Dryer

This is the matching Versatronic dryer. When Patrick got these for me they were pretty beat up, especially the dryer. The light lense was vitually destroyed and the panel pretty rough. Thanks to Mark (lightedcontrols) I have a beautiful identical replacement. Mark just happened to have the exact match in his warehouse and it looks new! Thanks Mark!!!

 

[jons1077]

Dryer Controls

Just your basic Hi/Lo Heat settings, Signal On/Off, and the start button. This dryer is electric luckily and works like a charm.

 

[jons1077]

Dryer Cycle Knob

Now who can point out what's awkward about this particular timer? I'll give you a hint: I find myself setting it wrong pretty often and finding my clothes hadn't dried NEARLY enough.

 

[tuthill]

Man those GE's are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo classy!

 

[tuthill]

It looks like the delicate cycle on the automatic drying (non pp) comes before the normal cycle????????

 

[gyrafoam]

IMO (based on using a full load) the spiral Activator gave really good turnover. That version of the straight vane gave the least----even worse than the oldest straight vane Activators----load it up and the clothes would barely move.
There was another version of the straight vane Activator that came along later in the production line that had fewer and much taller vanes----and THAT kind really worked well.

Really nice classic machines.

 

[gyrafoam]

BTW---

It is my understanding that the water level was adjusted down to meet government standards for water usage.

 

[jons1077]

Tuthill,

Not quite. It's something I always don't seem to think about. Another hint: The washer timer does it one way and the dryer timer does it a different way.

Steve...So that water level being lower started happening in the 70's I guess right? That seems to be when they dropped them down a couple of inches to right at the curve of the tub. That little bit of water made a big difference in load capacity!

 

[lesto]

Great video. GE washers always seem to takw the longest to ramp up to full spin speed than any other brand, even the pre-61 solid tub models.

 

[sambootoo]

Whats different? The timer runs counter-clockwise. I have a Hopoint from the same era that does the same thing. Very good, quiet dryer.

 

[Hometechdoc]

Awesome machine

I spent a fair amount of time as a kid around similar machines. On this video and a few I have seen restored recently like Mikes in Long Beach,I have noticed something different about these machines compared to early 80's GE's, they seem much quiter. We had an 8370 model (I believe) from 1981 and it was very loud.

Jon, the restoration is awesome and it is a classy looking machine.

 

[xyz]

I had a set (electric) that looked much like these. They were the same color. They were GE Americana's. I found them on the side of the road last Thanksgiving morning as I was out poking around the neighborhood. The washer worked great but the dryer need a belt. I eventually said to hell with the dryer and scrapped it. But I sold the washer for around 50.00. That is a good fair price around here for an older model GE. The light didn't work on mine and as I recall, it had a plastic lid with a fancy dispenser built into it. anyone familiar with my set?

 

[jons1077]

Sambootoo

You got it! The timer on the dryer runs counterclockwise. That's why I will throw a load in there at night before bed when I'm tired and get up the next morning to find cold, wet clothes. If I'm not paying attention I set the dial for the end of the cycle and not the beginning. Now why would they do that to me?

Hometechdoc, You are so right about it being a much quieter machine. This machine used to be even quieter with the metal cased transmission. I noticed when I put a brand new plastic tranny in there was a little bit more noise (gear noise mainly). I also think the cabinet of the older machines is thicker. My other grandmother had a mid 80's Hotpoint that sounded like a freight train during the entire cycle!

XYZ...sounds like you had a Dispensall. That's a cool machine! I want to see one of those do a full cycle with the dispenser and all. Gotta love that rich green color too!

By the way:

Back to the different agitators. You'll notice on my straight-vane V-16 the base "fins" actually extend out beyond the skirt. For anyone who has seen V-16 agitators like this in slightly newer machines...the vanes do not extend beyond the skirt. I believe the curved lower vanes are higher on this one too...later ones did not extend up as high on the agitator post. Just something I've observed.

Have fun!

Jon

 

[impala276]

Best GE Washer Shots

Thank you Jon for being so generous and sharing your collection of my favorite washing machines. The Westinghouse and of course the beloved Filter Flo (In Avacodo). I love it. GE's just have the special sound I love when they are agitating. I guess it's the filter flo pan that's rocking back and forth that is making the 'clunk, clunk' sound. Every GE Filter Flo made that noise, that's how I could tell it's a GE if I couldn't see it, but I could hear it. Along with the stream of the filter flo water hitting the bottom of the pan.

Gosh I wish I could get my hands on a nice Filter Flo Washer with the Versatronic dryer. The dryer was cool too, because the Versatronic models had a foot lever that would open the door.

Then when you showed shots of the agitator. That thing moves faster than any every agitator I've seen. My mom had a whirlpool when I was growing up. It didn't fascinate me as much as my aunt's GE Filter Flo.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[jons1077]

Impala

I have to admit I've always enjoyed washers but this literally was the washer that clinched the deal so to speak. Even when I was a young toddler I just HAD to see it wash. There is that picture I posted a long time ago that was me about 3 or 4 years old standing on a stool naked in front of it. There was nothing in grandma's house that was dirty so I just stripped down and started it up myself. Is that a fascination or what???

The comment on the dryer reminds me. Mine has the foot pedal but it needs to be repaired. That's one of my other projects I need to do is get into that dryer, really clean it up, maybe a new belt, and fix that pedal so I can pop the door open with my foot. Those are really cool!

Glad you enjoyed the video!

Jon

 

[appnut]

Well Jon, I'm stumped. Your machine made the same noises again. I'm just not used to hearing those pop pops at the end of wash or spin. Maybe this is such a different clutch than I've ever been exposed to. I also notice there's no initial "slow" agitation speed for the first few seconds and then it jumps into fast agitation. Now, I watched Ben's video of his similar washer and he didnn't have any pop pop noise at the end of agitation nor at the end of spin--I just her the "erk" of the brake.

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Bob,

The pop-pop noise I heard at the end of Jon's video is the brake engaging inside the transmission. My machine does make the same sound.

The sound I heard at the end of the agitation was the burble from the pump. The only 'noise' you would hear from the clutch would be if you were to chance speeds during spin or agitate; otherwise it should sound the same as a normal 2 speed clutch.

I've got a single speed clutch in my 3 speed machine. Simple - just the way I like it!

Ben

 

[jons1077]

Bob,

Steve (gyrofoam) and I were having a discussion about the slow agitation when agitation is initiated. Steve swears GE's only agitate at the speed they are set on but, as I recall, they initially start on slow while the tub indexes. Once the tub locks the machine shifts into normal speed. I'm sure mine is supposed to do that too but my slow speed solenoid is dead and is awaiting a replacement solenoid. I bet once I take care of that you'll see it function just as you think it should.

Ben, I love my stuff to be decked out and complicated. I just wish my machine was as spotless as yours. It really is a beauty! Funny that we both have that same V-14 activator too. I'll probably do another video soon with just the ramp activator because I know some folks prefer that over the straight vane one. Heck I like them all!

Jon

 

[jons1077]

Oh yes the sounds...Bob

Is it possible it's the pump you're hearing like Ben said? Now that I listen closely I do hear the drain hose "burp" pretty loudly right after agitation stopped. I didn't think about that but I have the laundry sink right next to the GE where the hoses drain. Maybe it's that?