Kirby G3 with a metal fan

[vacsofprosper]

Hey everybody, so yesterday I got three metal fans for Kirby uprights Aunt. I wanted to add a metal fan to my generation 3 but when I put the fan on without any washers the fan feels stiff when I turn it. Is that normal or should I do some other kind of modification? Thanks again

 

[vacsofprosper]

[No message]

 

[lesinutah]

The

Back of the metal fan needs some of the spacer grinded off. If you have the regular fan measure the spacer and mark the back of the metal fan and cut excess off.

 

[vacsofprosper]

Lesinutah, I didn't know that. I always thought you just simply put it in the machine. Should I use a Dremel or a grinding wheel?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

I’ve done successful metal fan modifications:

For G series for the past nine years now. All you have to do is get a dremel, and grind down the lip around the spacer. Don’t grind the spacer itself, just the lip around it. Once you do that, the metal fan will fit perfectly and spin freely. The lip is what presses against the brass piece on the bearing plate. So that’s why you need to grind that lip down. Feel free to message me if you have any further questions. Definitely keep us posted on your progress.

 

[vacsofprosper]

KirbyCollector, around the outside lip or inside lip?

 

[vacsofprosper]

Do I grind it this way?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

In case you didn’t see my reply via email:

The part shaded in blue is the part you need to grind away.

 

[vacsofprosper]

KirbyCollector, ok now I see. Thank you very much. Wish me luck.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

No Problem, and Good Luck!

Keep us posted. Look forward to see the end result!

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Here’s a 1998 G5 I used to own:

That I had modded a Metal Fan to fit in.

 

[lesinutah]

Ya

Tom is the one who taught me. The metal fan gets higher cfms.

 

[vacsofprosper]

Well last night after about 2 hours of grinding the metal fan works great on my G3! At first I was very nervous and anxious because I thought it would get jammed but after running the vacuum for about a minute it runs very nice! The fan now spins smoothly and I even managed to install a G5/Avalir II stiff brushroll and works much better than before. I'll make a YouTube video sometime today. Thank you again Thomas!

 

[vacsofprosper]

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacsofProsper

Gabriel,

If I know right, I see on your G3 you are using the G5's fan case with the thick unigasket on it; this fan case is definitely not designed for the old metal fan. The original G3 and G4 fan case had the older thinner suction seal gasket on it (which dates back to the 1963 Sanitronic VII).

~Ben[this post was last edited: 4/25/2024-20:05]

 

[lesinutah]

They

Replaced the older gaskets and now all g series gaskets are the newer ones.
You can hear the suction. It sounds like a central vac.

 

[vacsofprosper]

KirbyClassicIII, the G3 is still using its old original fan case. Not the later ones like the G5 or Avalir. I actually just replaced the gasket a while back which I learned from Kirby Enthusiast.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

VacsofProsper

Gabriel,

Oh, OK... my eyes tricked me. Thank you!

~Ben

 

[KirbyCollector01]

That sounds really good!! A successful modification! I’m glad I could be of assistance.