Kirby 513

[bvac6]

I finally got this machine today! Its complete with the original bag, but Im pretty sure the handle is aftermarket. It came with the jar of polishing cloth, the miracle head, and a bottle of Kirby Sweet Aire with the eye dropper cap.

 

[bvac6]

513-2

 

[sonnyndad]

Looks like the handle is original from what I can tell. Does it have a 3 or 4 amp motor?

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi Robert

<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Robert, You got a nice Kirby there. I'm sure it will clean and polish up well.</span>


<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">I'm glad I got the model correct from looking at the picture you posted from the advertisement.

</span>


<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Let us see the pictures when it's been restored.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

</span>

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Bob,

Yes, this appears to be a first-generation 513 going by the non-swiveling top cord hook. As a result, the motor on the nameplate should read 3 amps.

During the 513's run the top cord hook changed so it swiveled, to ensure quicker cord release. The motor also increased power from 3 to 4 amps.

Regardless of version, the gray cord with red plugs is not original... that first showed up on the model 516. The original cord for the 513 was black with a round female end (for models 514-515, the cord would be gray with round female end).

~Ben

 

[bikerray]

It should clean up just fine.

Be careful with the bag, when I went to clean the one on my 514 the bag had dry rot and just trying to get it off my finger went through the bag.

 

[sonnyndad]

Ben,

The Ampere is not a measure of power, but rather a measure of current. You said "The motor also increased power from 3 to 4 amps." What matters concerning how powerful the motor is would be expressed in watts. When dealing with Alternating Current, the formula to find power is Volts times Amps times Power factor.

 

[eurekastar]

Does it have a 3 amp or 4 amp motor?  The early 513s had a 3 amp motor; however, the late 513s had 4 amp motors.  As Kirby was gearing up for the Model 514, they also began installing red trim on the 513.  With the 4 amp models, Kirby also provides a glimpse at the new logo style on the builder's plate. 

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The other thing I wanted to mention was the handle grip changed color from gray to red in mid-production. The nozzle and headlight cap bumpers were red throughout 513 production.

~Ben

 

[bvac6]

fan removal

Id like to service the bearings on this but how on earth do you get the darn fan off?

 

[eurekastar]

Fan Removal

If you look through the vent, you can see the armature shaft.  Spin the fan until you see the small whole that's drilled into the shaft up near the cooling fan.  Insert an ice pick or some other thin instrument through the hole.  As you spin the fan pulley with a wrench, the ice pick will bind up against the housing and keep the armature stationary. 

 

[bikerray]

Take the 4 screws out of the fan chamber housing on the back, take the fan chamber off, then put a tool into the hole in the armature located by the cooling fan inside the motor housing and (if it has the original metal fan)(if it's a metal fan then the fan and spindle are one piece) then you should be able to put something in the hole on the spindle and turn clockwise. If the spindle doesn't have a hole in it either turn the fan blades or clamp onto the spindle and turn.

Hope this helps

 

[eurekastar]

Trim

I once owned a 3 amp 513 with gray trim.  I'm pretty sure it was all original.  That's why I'm guessing the transition to red trim may not have happened until the introduction of the 4 amp motor. 

 

[bikerray]

OK turn to page 1-16 and 1-17 in our stone tablets

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Ray,

I didn't know you had a copy of the Kirby service manual (505-S7).

~Ben

 

[bikerray]

Bob

So what implement of destruction did you use to lock the armature?

If you don't have an ice pick or the armature locking tool, go to the hardware store and get a length of 1/8" piano wire, cut a piece about 6" long and you have the perfect tool for locking the armature. It's cheap and works well and easy to make more when needed.

 

[bvac6]

fan

Good lord this Kirby is a bear! The fan locking tool that I have broke, every tool that could conceivably hold the armature still has broken. Unless I go buy an ice pick to try I am at a loss. I have never had this much trouble disassembling a Kirby!

 

[bikerray]

If the spindle has a hole in it you can squirt some WD40 into the hole and let it soak the armature. If this doesn't work there is PB Blaster or heat.

I use 1/8" piano wire, where fan locking tools have broken the piano wire hasn't.

Good luck and let us know how it's coming along.

 

[eurekastar]

I've never had success with Kirby's fan locking tool.  It always bends on me.  That's why I always use a gold old fashioned icepick or a long thin punch pin.  Remember too that the fan pulley has left handed threads; therefore, it will spin off in a clockwise direction.  But it sounds like things may be rusty.  If all else fails, you can try heating the fan pulley with a torch, then letting it cool.  That will loosen the rust, making it easier to spin off. 


 


Good luck!  Patience is the key!