1930s Hoover Model 300 questions

[superocd]

I acquired a Model 300 Hoover about a month ago and have questions.

Motor - it appears to have sleeve bearings at the top and bottom of the motor. I've always heard about greasing classic Hoover bearings (but then I always thought that sleeve bearings took oil). What's the right lubrication for a Model 300 motor?

Agitator brushes - my agitator brushes are actually worn so much they are pretty much gone. The inserts are still on each side, but the brushes are gone. Does anyone even know where to begin to find brush inserts for this? How do I disassemble the brush roll? What kind of bearings are utilized?

Cord - Interestingly, the cord appeared like an OEM replacement until I noticed Westinghouse's W logo on the plug molding. The stylized W logo with the dots on the ends of the W didn't come out until 1960 I believe. Big clue that this machine was serviced at some point in its life. Did Westinghouse manufacture aftermarket cords for Hoover?

Another clue that the machine was rebuilt is the fact that the bag has the Hoover logo that I believe was introduced in the 50s (as we know it today). I believe the original bag was black or dark grey with "The HOOVER" printed on it.

Fan - The fan is unusually light and I've never seen a metal direct-air fan have a somewhat polished appearance (the side of each vane that doesn't directly come into contact with dirt is smooth and relatively shiny). Usually aluminum fans are dull and have more weight. HOOVER is stamped on the fan so it should be an OEM unless there were counterfeits.

Does anyone have any useful things to know in restoring one of these?

 

[bikerray]

The 300 used Ball Bearings
Upper bearing 42166
Lower Bearing 42172
The ball bearings take grease
Sleeve bearings use oil

Agitator Brush
Long 82344
Short 82345
If the Agitator is the original then the brush strip will have a screw at the outside end. Take the screw out and move the brush strip toward the center and lift up the end with the screw hole, and take the brush strip out.

The 300 was 1935 - 1938

The part numbers are Hoover Numbers

 

[dysonman1]

The 300 used Ball Bearings
Upper bearing 42166
Lower Bearing 42172
The ball bearings take grease
Sleeve bearings use oil

Agitator Brush
Long 82344
Short 82345
If the Agitator is the original then the brush strip will have a screw at the outside end. Take the screw out and move the brush strip toward the center and lift up the end with the screw hole, and take the brush strip out.

The 300 was 1935 - 1938

The part numbers are Hoover Numbers

It's hard to believe Stan Kann has been dead almost 20 years. He gave me two brand new Hoover model 300 brush strips. I've never had a chance to use them because I don't have a model 300. Stan gave me hundreds of new Hoover brush strips for 700s and them, as well as brushes for all models that went up to the war. I even have a brand new 1915 Hoover old style special brush roll he gave me that was bristled by the factory.

 

[paul]

It's hard to believe Stan Kann has been dead almost 20 years. He gave me two brand new Hoover model 300 brush strips. I've never had a chance to use them because I don't have a model 300. Stan gave me hundreds of new Hoover brush strips for 700s and them, as well as brushes for all models that went up to the war. I even have a brand new 1915 Hoover old style special brush roll he gave me that was bristled by the factory.

I recently watched a YT vid of his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was a fascinating man, and from what you have mentioned—on this thread and others—quite thoughtful and generous.

 

[dysonman1]

I recently watched a YT vid of his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was a fascinating man, and from what you have mentioned—on this thread and others—quite thoughtful and generous.

Don't I wish more people knew what he was really like. There are many people who knew him, and everybody would say he was generous and kind. He gave me the rarest Air-Way vacuum ever. Called me up one night and told me to come over and get it. Of course I drooled over it for a decade every time I went over there. But it was not like I begged him for it. He dug out a package of original Bags, handed me the machine and the bags and said "here". That was probably three months before he passed away. It was a rainy night, I remember the basement stairs how they creaked. I'm lucky that I got to ask him 1 million questions and he patiently answered every single one. He told me about stopping the Airway salesman who was canvassing his neighborhood, as he walked home from high school. He asked the man for a brochure, and it was for the 1936 twin motor super chief. He kept that brochure all those years until he handed it to me. This picture is of my Zephyr model that Stan gave me on that rainy night decades ago.

 

[paul]

Don't I wish more people knew what he was really like. There are many people who knew him, and everybody would say he was generous and kind. He gave me the rarest Air-Way vacuum ever. Called me up one night and told me to come over and get it. Of course I drooled over it for a decade every time I went over there. But it was not like I begged him for it. He dug out a package of original Bags, handed me the machine and the bags and said "here". That was probably three months before he passed away. It was a rainy night, I remember the basement stairs how they creaked. I'm lucky that I got to ask him 1 million questions and he patiently answered every single one. He told me about stopping the Airway salesman who was canvassing his neighborhood, as he walked home from high school. He asked the man for a brochure, and it was for the 1936 twin motor super chief. He kept that brochure all those years until he handed it to me. This picture is of my Zephyr model that Stan gave me on that rainy night decades ago.View attachment 172735

An incredible individual for sure. Thanks for helping to keep the memory of him alive.

Excellent Zephyr and an attractive mixer collection and framed ads in the background.