Kirby Classic III rebuild

[cparman]

Hello All,

I'm stating my first pre-tech drive Kirby rebuild. It's a Classic III and I have a picture and a few questions to ask of the Kirby Guru's.

Below are some pictures of the disassembly.

1. I can't seem to get the metal fan off, is it done the same way as the newer Kirby's?
2. Is it possible to remove the Red outlet cap?

 

[cparman]

Disassembly of parts.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

No, it isn't. You have to get a special fan locking tool which you can find on ebay. Any pre g seris kirby you have to lock the fan because its reverse threaded.

Will Hemb

 

[bnsd60m9200]

Also, that red cap on the exhaust horn isn't kirby. It should have a sani emtor which I also see you don't have. You must have a crap f&g bag conversion done to this classic III which is a pity. Mny did that in the 70's because kirby had shake bags until the tradition. In the long term, id try to find a classic III sani emtor and bag on ebay. Airflow with an f&g bag conversion is HORRID on kirby's. Because I've never dealt with bojack bags on kirby's I have no idea how to remove it other than spray pb on it to loosen it. Then throw it and the bag in the trash and look for and real kirby sani emtor nd bag and bag hangar on ebay or from a collector here.

Will Hemb

 

[kirbee]

A pipe wrench will get the bag converter off.

 

[cparman]

Would it be wise to to try and remove the head light cover from the motor housing? It seems to have a "pressed" in pin, this may prove to be dificult.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

i always leave the headlight cap on when i restore my kirby's. that hinge pin really should only be mettled with if it needs replacement only. they really aren't designed to be re-instered once removed as that tight fitting helps keep the headlight up when you change attachments.

Will Hemb

 

[james]

You have to turn the fans clockwise to unscrew, if your looking directly at it.
Going by your second pic, hold the armature tightly in your hand to stop it turning, and then try to unscrew the fan.

 

[kc_kirby]

I have removed many a pin on the headlight in my restorations. The pin is made to come out. There is a U shaped clip that is inserted between the pin and the motor housing to put tension on the pin which keeps the headlight from flopping around loosely. I would not be afraid to remove it.

Chad

 

[eurekastar]

This is the fan locking tool you'll need.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T130-Fan-Locking-Tool-use-1CB-through-Legend-2-T130-/180637458525

 

[cparman]

I'm probably going to violate the Kirby "Genuine" parts authenticity paradigm, but is it frowned upon to search Lowes or home depot for various screws for older Kirby models (e.g., Classic II and Heritage) ? Or do I need to stick with buying (or even finding genuine kirby replacement screws). I done some preliminary searching and found the genuine kirby screws to be somewhat expensive. I don't mean to be "pest" but I'm new to the "older" Kirby rebuilds

 

[bnsd60m9200]

do you have all the screws with this classic III? i use the screw i took it apart with unless the heads are stripped (which i dont do anymore using a poor man's impact screwdriver ie hammer and screw driver). kirby screw's are so short im not sure regular hardware stores have them. i do know kirby screws "genuine" ones are expensive. thats why id buy a cheap junk kirby from ebay to use for spare parts. i just happen to by lucky i have a few lying around in my business. make sure you bring the old screws to try to match them if you go to lowe's. ive never done it because like i said earlier, i use the old screws and im careful taking them out.

Will Hemb

vintage kirby and hoover guru

 

[cparman]

Hi Will, Yes I have all the fasteners for the Classic III except for one (e.g., from the fan housing) that I had to drill out the head in order to get finish disassembly. Some of the screw heads are rusted and I want to replace them. Next is a trip to lowers of home depot

 

[bnsd60m9200]

if you polish your kirby's, a buffing wheel will take all the rust off totally. 800 grit or high sandpaper will also do this. i polish all my screws holding them in a pair of plairs and do them one at a time. its the last thing i polish before re-assembly.

Will Hemb

 

[cparman]

Dang, Will...You live close to where I work (Coppell).

 

[bnsd60m9200]

maybe we can meet up sometime and i can show you some of my restored kirby's. i deal with only pre g-series and know them well. also have servicing manuals for the heritage II and 505-560. i have a wealth of info of to share and would be happy to share and show the info i can.

will Hemb

 

[cparman]

Will,

That would be totally cool, man. I would like to see some of your work Here is my Email address and we can chat off-line.

[email protected]


-Chris

 

[eurekastar]

As Will indicated, you can buff the rust off a screw head. Also, Kirby still makes all those screws.

 

[bnsd60m9200]

i sent you an email chris.

Will