1970 GE pair

[jons1077]

Several months back I picked up this GE set dated 1970. The other thread I’ve been posting on showed some progress on the dryer. Today I was able to get the washer back up and running. Upper portions of the outer tub were severely rusted and required reconstruction which I used bondo for. The speed solenoid appeared to have had a spring pop off. I was able to replace that so both speeds function once again. The original agitator had been rather mangled so I placed a V14 ramp inside instead. Like any responsible GE owner, when in doubt, change it so I popped on a new pump assembly since the old one looked questionable for leaking.

Original transmission works nicely despite a worn brake so there is indexing of the tub but that’s no biggie.

Cleaned up nicely and is, of course, my favorite color and has the cool lighted dial.

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice! It brings back memories of the the first full-size GE washer and dryer set I ever owned.

 

[eurekastar]

Very nice! Congratulations!

 

[deanmerc]

Wow! Beautiful. I love it. Any vids of it washing, especially the lit up panel at night?

 

[bigalsf]

Nice set!

They look great! A few more sets like these and you'll be a GE Dealer (a la late 70's)!


Enjoy!

 

[jons1077]

Thanks!

I’ll take a picture with the lights down so the dials stand out. Inside the panel is literally a night light next to the plastic dial backdrop so the light reflects down the dial. I have to admit that it’s weird not having a flourecent lighted panel. Guess I’ve been spoiled with lighted panels.

Filter-Flos have always been a favorite of mine as long as I can remember. I have the picture to prove it.

I’m hoping to come across some earlier models in the future but I simply enjoy these machines and they do a great job.

 

[jons1077]

Photos as requested

Turned the lights down so the dials would stand out better.

 

[DADoES]

 
I haven't before seen GEs with that sort of lighting.

 

[bajaespuma]

Aferim!

They're 1969 models. 1968 TOL's had back-lit dials; I never knew 1969 models, that weren't TOL's even, had them as well. Beautiful set.

 

[frigidaireguy]

Jon:

Beautiful set of GE's. Filter-Flo's were also one of my favorite machines.
Congratulations on a great job.

Bob

 

[hippiedoll]

Illuminated dials...

OH WOW!!
I love the illuminated dials! That looks really neat the way the cycle segments are lit up! I wish maytag would have illuminated the cycle knob on the center-dial washers & dryers, in the model lineup below the 806/808.

VERY COOL !
)

 

[70series]

We had a more mid-line 1969 dryer for 17 years. Had the same cycles and temps/speeds and a buzzer on/off switch next to the dial.

 

[toploadloyalist]

Woolens (Special) Cycle Gentle/Fast Speed Settings

I've seen that most mid-century Filter Flo washers had gentle agitation and fast spin speeds for their "Special Cycle" for woolens and blankets. According to their ads, it was because wool absorbed extra water that merited the fast spin. Was that accurate? Wouldn't a slow spin be better for such woolens?

 

[turquoisedude]

GE suggested that approach with woolens from the time they first offered a selection of spin and agitate speeds. Ads of the day make mention of this and it's the approach set out in the user manual for the '57 GE I recently revived.

It makes sense to me - wool can get heavy when soaked with water.

Other manufacturers seem to have thought so too - the '59 Frigidaire Fabric-Master 'Special' selection offered slow agitation and high speed spin. The manual for this machine suggested using the 'Soak' cycle though, instead of the regular wash cycle to reduce agitation times. The '65 Lady K's suggestion for woolens uses a slow agitation and spin, however. Sorry - not trying to hijack the thread here! [this post was last edited: 9/13/2018-07:04]

 

[gansky1]

One of the best eras for GE - beautiful Jon, congratulations on getting them going again.

 

[swestoyz]

Jon, these are absolutely stunning. Congrats again on finding the set, and getting both up and running again.

I'm going to go ahead and say it - this is a set you'll hold on to for quite sometime.

Ben

 

[launderess]

Woolens

Actually do benefit and are better off with a short but high speed extraction.

Most if not all modern European front loaders have a "Woolens" program that does a short (< 3 min) spin at 1200 to maybe a bit higher rpms. As such things come out of machine nearly dry rather than sopping wet. Ready for blocking dry (sweaters and other items), or in case of blankets hanging to dry.

Previous to high speed spinning doing woolens at home, especially heavy blankets was a chore. Wringers either hand or power couldn't be set too tight or would crease and or otherwise distort shape. So you got these heavy nearly sopping wet blankets that had to be hung (from a VERY strong line or better lines),or laid flat to dry. Either way it took ages and was best reserved for days with a good breeze to hasten drying.

Early top loaders and some front loaders didn't spin above 600 or 900 rpms, which while better than a mangle, still could leave things too wet. My Miele W1070 does has two options for spinning in "Wool" cycle; one short and other a bit longer (none lasting more than three mins IIRC), but you can choose 1100 rpms.

 

[jons1077]

Thanks all!

Sure! I love showing off machines but I really love the discussions that ensue so, please, hijack away!

One of the most annoying things to me with our 1980 Kenmore 80 series washer was not being able to have a slow wash with a fast spin. Sure enough, blankets had the option of being beaten to death or being pulled out dripping wet unless you manually went back and selected a fast spin by turning the dial one more time.

Machines like this GE or Maytag and countless others that placed speed selections separately from cycles, to me, added a huge amount of versatility. I don’t know when I’d ever want to do a cold wash with a warm rinse but at least I know I can!

Ben, to this date I’ve only scrapped one machine and it was a 1980s filter-flo that was tore up but good enough for parts. I’d sooner part with something else before ever losing a GE set. And since I have two additional GE pairs, I am looking to part ways with at least one of my machines from a different brand. (GM)

 

[electronicontrl]

Lighted Dials

I've not seen GE washer & dryer with a back lit control dial. Very cool!