Kenmore: What's the difference

[DesertTortoise]

Referring to some very late 1980s to early 1990's Kenmore canisters that preceeded the Whispertone models, does anyone know the differences in the motors and fans between a Kenmore 4.1 and a Kenmore 4.8 or 5.1?

Also, are the motors in the Whispertone models still Ametek Lamb and any good, or did Kenmore and Panasonic cheapen them by then?

Thanks, or "ta" for our UK friends.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Not sure on the first part. For the second part, the Whispertones still used two stage Ametek when they came out. But they had started using single stage Ameteks in lower models by this time. Any Whispertones with the performance light should be two stage.

 

[DesertTortoise]

To the best of my understanding, a "Kenmore 4.1" has a 4.1 peak horsepower motor, a 4.8 has 4.8 peak horsepower, etc.. Back in the 1980's and 1990's that is how vacuums in the US at least were usually rated. I am curious if any of the experts on these matters know what were the technical differences between a Kenmore 4.1, 4.8 and 5.1.