intv1980
Active member
Hello, I have a 1951 Kirby 511 and I cannot figure out how to get the fan off. How do you do it? Also, once the fan is removed, can I then remove the motor? Thanks, William
Kirby motor question
- Thread starter intv1980
- Start date
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You need to have a fan locking pin (T104) or an ice pick and insert it through the vent hole on the bottom of the motor housing and through the hole of the armature shaft.
While holding the armature, turn the fan and pulley clockwise to remove it from the left hand threads of the armature shaft.
Also, Kirby made changes to the model 511 at serial #383347. All Kirbys from model 3C through to 511 serial #383346 do not have a provision for relubrication of the front bearing. The bearing and bearing plate must be replaced if defective. Starting from model 511, serial #383347, the front bearing can be removed from the front bearing plate.
(This information comes from the official Kirby service manual dated 1965.)
~Ben
While holding the armature, turn the fan and pulley clockwise to remove it from the left hand threads of the armature shaft.
Also, Kirby made changes to the model 511 at serial #383347. All Kirbys from model 3C through to 511 serial #383346 do not have a provision for relubrication of the front bearing. The bearing and bearing plate must be replaced if defective. Starting from model 511, serial #383347, the front bearing can be removed from the front bearing plate.
(This information comes from the official Kirby service manual dated 1965.)
~Ben
intv1980
Active member
Thanks for the great info! This Kirby 511 is a rebuild from 1968. It has green trim so it resembles the D 80 model that was being sold in the late '60s.
William,
That would mean yours must have the 10-blade fan, too. Because that's what they'd replace the original 6-blade fan with in rebuilds.
~Ben
That would mean yours must have the 10-blade fan, too. Because that's what they'd replace the original 6-blade fan with in rebuilds.
~Ben
intv1980
Active member
Yes, it does. It also has a four amp motor
William,
Could you please re-upload the videos you had for this vacuum back onto YouTube, if there were any?
If this vacuum cleaner were rebuilt in 1968, but using genuine Kirby parts rather than the green ones that some mom-n-pop sew/vac shop had done, then this would've been how your vac had looked back then: the bag would be gray with red Kirby ovals, and all gray trim except for the Sani Em-Tor bottom would be replaced by red trim. The black Vulcanite wheels would be replaced by gray plastic wheels, and the black cord would be replaced by a gray cord with the same round female plug end.
~Ben
Could you please re-upload the videos you had for this vacuum back onto YouTube, if there were any?
If this vacuum cleaner were rebuilt in 1968, but using genuine Kirby parts rather than the green ones that some mom-n-pop sew/vac shop had done, then this would've been how your vac had looked back then: the bag would be gray with red Kirby ovals, and all gray trim except for the Sani Em-Tor bottom would be replaced by red trim. The black Vulcanite wheels would be replaced by gray plastic wheels, and the black cord would be replaced by a gray cord with the same round female plug end.
~Ben
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