Motor question... and a bit of an update

[kirbyeureka95]

Hey guys! Its been a while, and as of getting out of school a month a 3 days ago, I've traveled alone to 3 states and 2 countries on various adventures. Unrelated to the travel, life is going surprisingly well, and ive come out to my parents, which is definitely not without problems, but is currently mostly a passive issue.

All that to say, upon my return for 2 weeks, I came home to a little surprise from my mom (who has been my constant strength)- a royal model 401. I've never seen one in real life, and as soon as i got some sleep, I tore into it. As it was so simple, i got a lot further along than i usually do with my basic skills. Now for my first question having to deal with the tear down: upon doing some research, it seems as though the machine was built in the 70's. but the sticker on the motor (pictured below), which has the number set 4-91, which i assume is april 1991? it has a new hose and cord, so maybe it was rebuilt around this time? or are the dates wrong and this is the original motor? it seems quite clean to be 30-40 years old. Also, (warning: amateur question) are the carbon brushes supposed to make contact with the armature, or...? it appears as though they touch it, as there are some scratches and the like, but the armature spins freely. Thanks!

 

[kirbyeureka95]

sorry for the numerous grammar mistakes, im tired as anything haha

 

[rugsucker]

Royal

Michael,The older Royals were very nice vacs.More pics ands serial number would be helpful.Simple answer-yes.The carbons must touch armature as that is what makes it spin.Service tip-If a carbon brush is removed it should ,if in good condition ,return to same place and position.--Glad all is well with you.Travel is usualy a good thing.If you are up for more come to the southern edge of VA,continue 20 miles and see 'the place of which we do not speak'vintage vacuum warehouse.It contains Fantom canisters,box top Eurekas and more and more and more!-Jimmy

 

[kirbyeureka95]

model plate

here is a picture of the plate on the bottom if that would be of any help

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Unit Serial 67M-D-69588

Means a build date of December 1976. So that obviously indicates the original motor assembly was replaced by a certain Royal dealer sometime in 1991 or 1992.

~Ben

 

[eurekastar]

I was kind of wondering too if that motor is a replacement.  Did Royal use its own proprietary motors for their canisters (or even upright models) or did it use motors made by Lamb (and/or other manufacturers)? 

 

[hygiene903]

If I remember correctly, Royal used Lamb motors for all of their tanks and cannisters from the time they first produced these models up until the last Power Tank came off the line.
Also, Lamb used to make motors for Black & Decker (maybe they still do?) and Electro-Hygiene (made by Royal) used this for a selling point, to illustrate their durability.
Jeff