GE...still my favorite

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jons1077

jons1077

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Jun 25, 2014
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Just posting for fun at this point. Have been slaving away painting the house and working on the basement walls. That means playing Tetris with the washers. It's been way too long since I have had some filter flo action so my '68 pair are back at it again.

Also a shout out to Bob from N Carolina! This guy sent me a mini basket and filter pan officially completing my dispensall machine. Just one leaky transmission away from having it finished and in the line up! Thanks Bob!

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Look familiar?

The chug, chug sound of the filter pan when used with the mini-basket and the tub index before locking brings back vivid memories of watching our 66 Filter-Flo.





 
So while we're on this subject...just how long did GE make this filter flo. I was surprised to see that they are from 1968. My friends mom had a new pair with almost the same console in 1976, minus the light. And I lived in 2 places that had these, a new condo in 1991 and another place in 1994. Yes, subtle difference through the years but always with the 4 toggle switches and dial. I do remember just how quiet they were when washing, but very loud when filling and the famous "clunk" when spin stopped.
 
Oh Yeah GE!!!!

If I was ever forced at gunpoint to give up all but one machine, the GE Filter Flo really covers all the bases and is the one I'd have to keep. It washes better than a Maytag, rinses cleaner than a Kenmore, extracts as good as any, needs fewer repairs than a Frigidaire 1-18, and the MOL to TOL models have all the usual dispensers that work well through the years(no electric solenoid dispensing) and plentiful cycles, speeds, and options.
Believe me, other washers are more fun in a line-up and use less water, but for a single machine for performance and reliability, I'd take a mid 60-s to mid-80's Filter Flo (paired with a Kenmore/Whirlpool dryer)

Opinions may vary
 
Last traditional Filter-Flo with the filter pan and mini basket was produced in 1994 or 1995. Then I believe they offered the Hotpoint Rim-Flo version for the next year or two before the new design in 1996. [this post was last edited: 9/27/2016-20:48]
 
Great thread, Jon, your GE sets are looking good.  It was interesting chatting with you at the convention about the GE ins and outs of their various models, they really tried some innovative and unusual ideas.  Someday we'll have a wash-in at your place so I can finally see that Dispensall working as it was designed and not just a tiny lid-in-lid with holes inside like mine was :-)

 

 
 
I don't think there is any other machine out there....that had such a long run, yet offer such flexibility in cycles and options, the variables are endless....

not to mention the mini-basket option....

you got a heavy duty base, motor, trans, pump and clutch, whether BOL or TOL.....

I agree, if you can acquire one machine, preferably with as many options possible, you could survive with one machine to handle it all....this would be it....

the filter flo was always a machine offered for placement where a septic system was in place.....even better for basement locations with a high pump out pipe.....what most don't realize is the pump runs at high speed at all times...

one claim to fame, it filters the load at all levels....

nice machines there Jon...
 
I helped a

friend by a b.o.l. GE pair in 1992. It still had the concrete block for balancing, and that loud clunk when it stopped spinning. He really needed, and was thrilled with them though.
 
They are truly amazing machines. I've had mine for almost a year now and the washer and dryer both keep chugging along, after 29 years. I did a fair amount of work to the dryer...though just regular maintenance items and she purrs like a kitten now...can hardly hear it running. The washer gets a bit noisy but I replaced the snubbers and put one of the suspension bars back in (it was not connected at all) and it's a bit quieter. Had to seal the top gasket too because it was leaking, otherwise no issues. They do a fantastic job at cleaning.

Best of luck with yours!
 
GE Noise.

I now have 3 GE FF washers. Anyone want a free lower MOL one in Cincinnati? It needs a new transmission (large capacity).

As for noise:
My grandmother had one, which I now have in use. Its pump leaked and the water displaced the lubricants from the clutch bearings. When it ran, it sounded like a rock tumbler! I took apart the clutch and found the failed bearings had caused a groove to wear into the clutch shaft, causing significant play. I replaced the clutch with a brand new one and the washer was incredibly quiet. The sound of the water splashing into the filter pan was one of the louder sounds from the machine, even with the lid closed. One of these days, I'll look into replacing the bearings in a GE 2-speed clutch and make mine as quiet as a Maytag.

Dave
 

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