So I have my 1974 JCPenney (Hoover Convertible) torn apart for a cleanup/service
and the motor gasket is dry rotted with evidence of dust leakage around the perimeter of the base. I searched for new gaskets on Amazon, eBay and eVacuumStore and have come up short. I would use air duct sealant like I have with my Kirbys but there is a groove where the gasket is seated on the surface of the motor base and so I'm afraid that it would require a massive bead of sealant which may be very messy. Any ideas?
Also, I'd like to get a new bag gasket, but if I'm not able to find a motor gasket, a bag gasket is even more unlikely. Again, a search yielded nothing. Any ideas for that?
The good news is that the carbon brushes showed very little wear (assuming that 3/4 in is the original size), the brushroll is in VERY GOOD condition for its age (not sure if it is original because of its condition), as is the vinyl bag and I was able to find a new top bearing for the motor relatively easily. The aluminum fan showed very light wear, light enough that I could rub my finger across the vanes and not get snagged.
The bad news is that the hood has some scuffs/scratches/moderate gouges at the front corners. I was able to buff the lighter scratches out but as far as the imperfections that remain, I am not positive that those can be fixed unlike an aluminum Kirby. I guess that is one of the things you have to live with when you are collecting, hoods for department store vacuums from 45 years ago aren't exactly plentiful. Oh, well, it looks decent from five feet away, and 45 years from now, people will be amazed that there's one of these left in decent, running condition (I hope!).
and the motor gasket is dry rotted with evidence of dust leakage around the perimeter of the base. I searched for new gaskets on Amazon, eBay and eVacuumStore and have come up short. I would use air duct sealant like I have with my Kirbys but there is a groove where the gasket is seated on the surface of the motor base and so I'm afraid that it would require a massive bead of sealant which may be very messy. Any ideas?
Also, I'd like to get a new bag gasket, but if I'm not able to find a motor gasket, a bag gasket is even more unlikely. Again, a search yielded nothing. Any ideas for that?
The good news is that the carbon brushes showed very little wear (assuming that 3/4 in is the original size), the brushroll is in VERY GOOD condition for its age (not sure if it is original because of its condition), as is the vinyl bag and I was able to find a new top bearing for the motor relatively easily. The aluminum fan showed very light wear, light enough that I could rub my finger across the vanes and not get snagged.
The bad news is that the hood has some scuffs/scratches/moderate gouges at the front corners. I was able to buff the lighter scratches out but as far as the imperfections that remain, I am not positive that those can be fixed unlike an aluminum Kirby. I guess that is one of the things you have to live with when you are collecting, hoods for department store vacuums from 45 years ago aren't exactly plentiful. Oh, well, it looks decent from five feet away, and 45 years from now, people will be amazed that there's one of these left in decent, running condition (I hope!).
