Greg,
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, had to do some digging to find this complete step by step motorectomy for a Kenmore. I had bought one off ebay several years ago that was a little rough, and received another one from a fellow collector with the instructions to build the best one I could with the two, then send an empty tank shell back to him. So I ended up with a fairly nice Kenmore tank with an extra motor, switch, and cord. In order to return an empty shell, I had to remove the motor from the one I sent back, and pretty much figured it out as I went along. He asked me to send him the procedure in step by step form which I did, and fortunately saved the email. Wanted to make sure I still had it--and could find it, before I responded to your thread. So here it is, and a pic of my Kenmore (model 116.730).
Jeff
TEARDOWN PROCEDURE FOR KENMORE TANK
1.Remove nosecone, bag, and filter (if there is one--it is missing on some that I have run across--including the one my folks had when I was a kid!)
2.Using a 1/4" socket and as many extensions as you can get a hold of, remove the 8 screws from the front mount assembly (inside the tank)
3.Using the tube that comes with the can, apply a shot of WD-40 all the way around the fan housing where it meets the mounting assembly.
4.Remove the screw from the switch cover (behind the handle) and remove the cover.
5.Remove the 3 screws from the rear end, then remove the rear end.
6.Disconnect cord and remove.
7.Using a thin wall 9/16 socket, 9/16 wrench, or pliers,loosen nut on top of the switch and remove switch from rear end. At this point the rear end can be set aside.
8.By holding onto the rear mount and working the motor back & forth, side to side, up and down, and some twisting it should eventually work loose from the front mount, and be easily pulled out the back. Don't get too forceful with it, use some (lots!! of) patience and you should be able to remove it without any damage to it or yourself.
A bit of hindsight here--I DO NOT recommend removing the 4 screws from the rear mounting plate. I found out the hard way, that not only do they hold the plate to the motor, but they also HOLD THE MOTOR TOGETHER!! So, do not remove them or you will end up with field coil in one hand and armature in the other!!!
It's possible that some of the folks in the club who have worked on vacuums for years might have different ideas on this procedure, but it worked for me, and I think I had it done in about an hour.
