Electrolux Model XXX Upgrade?

[eurekastar]

I'm that guy who thinks he can improve on the design of professional engineers who are paid handsomely for what they do...Well, last weekend, I decided to dismantle the motor on my Model XXX and it didn't go so well. The rubber gasket fell apart (that's another story!).

So I took an Ametek-Lamb motor out of an old Tristar, modified the mounting bracket from another vacuum, made a new gasket, et voila! a Model XXX upgrade!

I know that for the purists among us, that is grounds for excommunication from the site! But I love to tinker!

I'll acquire a new Model XXX motor someday. And I've thought through how to be more careful with the gasket. But I now have a XXX on steroids!

 

[eurekastar]

While I was at it, I tried to upgrade the filtration by modifying the filter bag from a Royal tank.

 

[eurekastar]

So I also used the filter (which I think goes inside the bag chamber of the Royal) as a new after filter for the XXX.

 

[eurekastar]

The Ametek-Lamb motor was a perfect fit too! I didn't think to take photos before I got it all installed.

 

[eurekastar]

I don't know the exact vintage of this Model XXX but I believe that it is probably a 1948 model.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

The switch will have a Month and year stamped on it in Orange or red.

 

[eurekastar]

@ vacuumlad1650

I've seen that on previous XXXs that I've owned but this switch had no date stamp on it, which makes me wonder if it is a replacement.

 

[madman]

That's pretty cool. But like... what happened to the motor? I mean... rubber gasket?

 

[eurekastar]

@ MadMan

The rubber gasket looses its elasticity with age and instead becomes brittle. In order to access screws to remove the motor mounts, the gasket has to pulled down. It was so dry and brittle that it broke apart. Without a good gasket, the motor looses its suction. The motor mount and gasket also need to be removed in order to remove the screws that hold the fan housing in place.

The next time I try to service a Model XXX motor, I think I'm going to try conditioning the gasket first with some silicone. If that doesn't help, I have a plan B...leaving the gasket in place and punching small holes to gain access to the fan screws and then patching the gasket by using a tire patch. If that doesn't work, then I don't know what I will do!

 

[s31463221]

Eurekastar

That's a really cool setup you've got there! I have modified a couple of XXX's like that as well, and I've run into major issues with the gaskets as well. In fact, I have one that I LOVE that has a brand new two-stage Ametek motor in it, but because I don't have the gaskets in quite right, it has poor suction at best. Would you care to take some shots of how you have your new replacement gaskets and post them? I'd like to get mine up and running so I can use it more often! Thanks in advance!

Steve

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I saw at the 2008 convention a man from New York took an XXX and modified it with a Miele motor and adapted a wessel werk power nozzle to it with an electric hose. It was really cool.

 

[eurekastar]

@ S31463221

I just used a central vacuum gasket like the one pictured to ensure that there is a good seal. It required a small amount of trimming. The mounting bracket came from an old Model L. I had to drill holes to accommodate the position of the four mounting lugs on the Lamb motor, because Electrolux motors only have three. In order to get it onto the motor, I first had to remove one of the brush holders. It then slipped right onto the motor. I also covered the holes on the bracket that I no longer needed with heat resistant electrical tape. That stuff is pretty "tacky". I think I used 10x32 machine screws to mount the bracket onto the motor. Or they may have been 8x32. I can't remember! Before dropping the motor in, I also drilled holes into the gasket material where the bracket mounts to the bulkhead inside the vacuum. That made it easier to line up the bracket with the screws.

 

[reo580]

How are the harmonics?

I remember the metal flange Ametek conversions for the XXX. they bolted up to the mount holes with little or no insulation so the vibration/ harmonics would make this ear piercing shriek- It had something to do with harmonics/sound or frequency traveling through the metal body of the XXX. it was intolarable.

The XXX and G were quiet because of their motor mounts.
How did you mount up the Ametek? - esp with the central vac gasket. That mod looks really interesting.

 

[compactc9guy]

hummmmm

welll i think if i find a good motor il tune up my old Electrolux Model ZB86 body in great shape gasket also but handle and motor need replacing hummmm ill look in my parts bin and see what i come up whit haha

 

[eurekastar]

@reo580

The motor is definitely louder but tolerable. I sure the gasket sits between the flange and the motor to ensure a good seal and the cut down on vibration.