GE's - "you bring these things back to life"

[gansky1]

Excellent "A" & "B" test!

Our 72 near-BOL washer had that same straight-vane Activator and it could spank the dirt away for sure... That's a very nice GE, Ben. Worth the save.

 

[gewa1054wguy]

Versatronic

Hi Ben,

What a great washer and I love the pics of the clutch assembly. I have a Versatronic pair I got in a round-about way from Jimmy (Filter Flo). The versatronic clutch had been replaced with a one speed unit like you have. I hope someday to find a versatronic clutch to install and make it like it left the factory. They only used this clutch for a couple years and I think, like yours, it was problematic.

I also have a V-14 agitator I swap out for the straight vane type to keep things interesting.

Glad you saved this washer. Enjoy!

Mike

 

[brettsomers]

those GE Spiral Activators dont beat around the bush, do they? very impressive. cool vids.

and you look good in that picture holding that assembly thing.

 

[nmaineman36]

Wow I never realized the difference in wash actions to be so dramatic. That Straight Vane activator really moved the load well and I did notice that the machine was quieter...or so it seemed to me. That Ramp Activator seems like it caused more drag on the transmission and made the machine louder. On the 90's GE that I had with the slant panel...the last series they made of this design with the Hotpoint self clean ring...man that washer was loud. She would growl during wash. Didnt hold much as far as capacity goes. Didnt last either...the tub rusted out at the pump support bracket...nice hole was created. Got rid of the washer not knowing it could have been fixed.
Great job!

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice pics!

 

[filterflo]

That was a great video Ben, the GE agitators work very well and so dramatic! I worked on a couple of those three speed clutches in the past and boy are they complicated.

Yes Mike is right. The Versatronic clutch was a problem too. Never expected Mike to end up with the Versatronic set, but it worked out well since I know you will appreciate it and put it to good use. Still working on getting you the clutch......located 2 guys that claim to have one, just have to get them off their butts and search thru their parts for them! Sooner or later I hope!..
Thanks Ben for posting the GE video, you did a great job on it! Jimmy

 

[pulltostart]

Ben,
Very nice looking machine and interesting information! I think I have the matching dryer.....and would be willing to part with it if you were interested. Also - great looking 57/58 GE 40" range in the background!

Lawrence

 

[gyrafoam]

Nice tutorial Ben! Thanks for the insight. Great photos.
Who needs speeds with such a nice machine! Those were really good machines, and I'll take the spiral Activator over the straight-vane anyday!

 

[laundryshark]

Wow! Cool Video!

Thanks, Ben, for sharing that video. Now if somebody won't mind grabbing me a converted copy for download, that would be o so fitting in my private collection. Many Thanks and Merry Christmas!--Laundry Shark

 

[jons1077]

Ben,

Wonderful video and pictures! That machine is spotless! I am so very glad that I found that matching pair in Oregon and the pictures of the clutch assembly should help me quite a bit when I get around to mine. Mine is surprisingly VERY quiet with the two speeds that work so, who knows, it might be fixable. I think I'm a bigger fan of the straight-vain activator. Maybe because it's the purist in me? Either way, I filled it up full of pants one night and it can turn over very well. I love how these older GE's fill up very full too so you can get a good sized load in them with no wasted space in the tub. Thanks again for the VERY helpful and enjoyable video!

Jon

 

[hoover1060]

very cool Ben

I like the spiral activator better, that wash action amazes me! Maybe its because I have so little experience with that type?
Excellent job on the restoration too!

 

[rickr]

Great restoration on the Filter-Flo Ben! You will get that basement filled up yet!! <:

 

[swestoyz]

Thanks for the comments guys - it really is appreciated.

From the little I have been able to wash with in this machine - I have a feeling that the straight activator would best wash small, loose loads - while the ramp (or spiral) activator would probably handle a well loaded wash with ease. The noise difference seems to be mostly the nature of each agitator depending on water level and load size. With a full load and the filterflo atop and the lid closed, both are pretty close for noise.

All in all - it is great to have both available and a nice reference video for future enthusiasts!

Ben

 

[mickeyd]

Hello, Ben

Love how you said you were out of tools for housework. That's awesome, and it's the best and funniest excuse I've ever heard for playing with the washers.

Great video and pics. You did a lot of work. What a generous and satisfying gift to all of us.

I hear ya. After getting a spiral, the straight one just collects dust. With large loads, the difference is striking.

I have another white spiral, a smaller one. Would you like to have it?

 

[nasadowsk]

I'll take a wild guess and say that the trip fingers normally hold in a weight segment, but when tripped, the weight pulls out and pulls on the outer shoes. Kinda like a 2 speed clutch but with the ability to select the amount of weight involved...

Pull it apart with more pics. That might reveal it.

There may be a patent out there. I've been googling. GE patents just about everything, it seems

 

[frigilux]

Great video, Ben. The '69 you have is my favorite GE washer---three cycles, three speeds. Given the choice, I'll take the ramped agitator. I like how it whirls the clothing in a circle, much like an indexing-tub machine does. Thanks for the comparison---exactly the sort of thing we washerheads love to see.

 

[jons1077]

filterflo (Jimmy)

See if those guys have any 3-speed clutches too!!! hehe...doubt it but was worth a shot. I'm hoping my 3-speed clutch just has a bad solenoid or something. I'm not sure when I'll have the time to look at it though. I know you said yours was making a lot of noise Ben and surprisingly my machine is the quitest GE I've ever come across. Maybe that's a good sign?

Jon