Kirby 512 emptor

[gmarquez]

Hi everyone, I just won an action for a Kirby 512 that appears to be in decent shape the only thing that kind of stuck out to me is the emptor the bag is aftermarket for sure but the emptor appears as if it’s from an earlier model like a model C. Can anyone confirm if this is correct or if it’s from an earlier mode.

 

[hoover300]

Bag and headlight trim aren't original. As for the emtor, I don't know. It does have a metal tray though, so that should be a clue to a more knowledgable collector.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Gmarquez

What you are looking for is a gray plastic tray (Part No. 1860S) which ran from the 509 up to the 561.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 10/20/2020-21:38]

 

[gmarquez]

Thanks for the quick responses everyone, I’m not sure I can just replace the tray as it appears the emptor itself is skinner than the emptor used on a normal 512. I’m also on the lookout for a more original bag if anyone knows a source for one.

 

[bikerray]

The emtor or emptor that is on that vacuum is from a 1C through 505 Kirby

 

[lesinutah]

Close

The emtor is model c through 4c. The motor housing changed after the war.
The height is what Kirby sales for replacement trim. Your belt lifter is original.
505 through d80 have same square emtor only difference is two prongs and three prongs.

 

[johnnyb59c]

heres what you need

i have extra i also have the trap door

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

LesinUtah

Les,

The only way we would know for sure if the 3C and 4C had the same Emtor body casting as models C and 2C or that used on models 505 to 509 would be to check parts price lists from 1940 to 1949.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

I have the early belt cap 505. The motor housing is 505 to 512. The small all metal emtor shouldn't fit. Rob had one on his 505. In WW2 they used all the scrap metal for the war. It didn't roll off the assembly line like that.
The emtors with a metal tab is what I myself believe early 505s had.
There are examples of black 505 emtor on 508. It's my educated guess.
Les

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Les, I have the 4" wide emtor on my 505 (the same width as D50) but has the metal tray.

 

[bikerray]

My early 505 manual shows the emtor as being narrow with a metal bottom
My later 505 manual shows a wider emtor with a black (I would assume plastic) bottom

I would guess the early 505 still used parts from the 1C on since they were just coming out of the war and retooling for peace time.
The later 505 would have the wider emtor because they had a year to retool.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The 3C and 4C having the same narrow Emtor casting as models C and 2C, to me, does not make sense since the 3C was the first Kirby to use the motor group set that the 505 and later machines had.

Again, this is why I hope to see a parts price list circa 1948 covering models 3C, 4C, 505 and 508.

@bikerray
Kirby recycled photos in their manuals across different models, so do not rely on them alone for proof.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Hi

I have an all original 505 made in the third month of production. It's all original everything. When I have an unaltered belt cap 505 and it was produced in the first three months
It's the closest example you will find.
The emtor is exactly like texaskirbyguys but black plastic with a metal tab.
My model 1c emtor and 3c emtor only fit model c's.
I can't explain robs nobody can. I have an early example and mine I know the story. Mine looks like they should have in early production.
Les

https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?35768

 

[KirbyCollector01]

I agree with Ben

All I’ve ever heard from almost everyone is that the larger sani emtor (as seen up until the 510’s sweet aire was introduced) was introduced with the 3C in 1939. I’m getting two machines soon. One is a factory original 4C. It does in fact have the larger emtor, with the aluminum emtor tray. Every 3C & 4C I’ve seen both in person, and in photos have all had the larger emtor. So I still believe they came out on the 3C. Just my input.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Forgot to add

Unless I see actual parts lists stating the narrow emtor was on the 3C & 4C, I’m still going to stick with the larger emtor being introduced with the 3C.