My first Convertible

[fan-of-fans]

So for the last 3 1/2 months now, there's been a very BOL Hoover Convertible at my local Habitat. I kept going, looking at it, and deciding to pass.

Today I decided to get it.

It's very BOL - no headlight, no hand grip, single speed, only half bumpers, no beater bars, two position height adjust. But I still like it.

It's a model U4373, which I don't find much info on. It's clearly a later model - it's plastic base, plastic fan, and it has the slider switch with plastic switch plate. If I had to guess, I'd say mid 80s? It's older than 1987, I know because there's no date code in the serial number.

Anyway, when I get time tomorrow I plan to start dismantling it and cleaning it up. I think it's going to turn out nice.

I've ordered some genuine green C bags. I'm also kicking around the idea of getting a set of simple U4901 attachments for it. I just want to see what the hose suction is like on a single speed Convertible.

I'll post some photos once I get everything cleaned and polished up.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

BOL doesn't matter much. The convertibles are tried and true well performing machines.
The TOL vacuums have a headlight sometimes, switch on the handle, cord wonder etc. To me none of those are great and if they break like cord wonder it's a pain to fix if you can find parts.
Congrats

 

[fan-of-fans]

IMO the bottom of the line basic models are fun too. I kind of like either complete BOL or complete TOL machines most.

BUT I guess you can't say this one "BEATS as it sweeps as it cleans" as it has no beater bars! So it can only "Sweep as it cleans"!

 

[fan-of-fans]

So over the weekend, despite the dreary and chilly (by Florida standards) weather, I did manage to get a little cleanup done.

I got the hood washed up and polished, as well as the nozzle plate.

After that, back indoors I got the handle all cleaned and waxed and got some cleanup done on the base and motor.

Still need to wash the bag and get the rest of the undersides and wheels cleaned, but it is coming along. Not in bad shape at all really and the only rust was on the plate that holds the rear wheels and bag on.

I also found an owner's manual for this model on eBay, so that is on the way. The manual has a date of 1985, so I presume that is about the right year for this cleaner.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Some more progress last weekend. It was beautiful weather, so I soaked the vinyl bag in some soapy water, and scrubbed the remaining dust and grime out. I put it in the sun to dry, but it still smells like old dust. Might have to get some Pine Sol or something to soak it in for a day or so.

Also got the base disassembled for cleaning.

The owner's manual arrived today in the mail and I also got some genuine Hoover C bags for it.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

excellent.

Perhaps put the vinyl bag in water w/ Lysol, and/or borax.... maybe a drop of vinegar.
Great progress!

 

[fan-of-fans]

I've finally gotten back around to working on this. In taking the motor out for cleaning, I discovered the fan had a big crack in the bottom. I ordered a new one, but I am having a very difficult time getting the screw out to replace it.

I read a thread that suggested to insert a small screwdriver into hole on the side of the motor to lock the rotor. I tried this as well but it doesn't seem to be working, the screwdriver pops out as soon as I try to turn the screw. Hmm...

I did manage to get the motor itself apart but there also didn't seem to be anything to really grab on to while trying to loosen this screw. The carbon brushes look good and long though.

 

[huskyvacs]

Try getting some enzymatic based cleaner to remove the dirty smell, it eats away at bacteria that causes odors.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Thank you, I will try something like Odoban. I did use some Lysol on it last time I was working on it and that seemed to help some. It seems any vacs I get at Habitat have a musty smell to them. It's not as noticeable in the store, but when you get them home they always have that distinct smell.

I think tomorrow I will try some penetrating oil around the pulley and see if I can get the screw out. It is really tight, I have tried multiple times with the biggest flat blade screwdriver I have and that screw will not budge.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Well, I've done everything I can think of and I can't get the screw off this fan! I put a vice grip on it and tightened as hard as I could and it will not come loose, the grip just slips off.

Does anyone have any tips? I thought of spraying something to get it loose, but I don't see anywhere to get any oil around the screw, it's tight up against the fan.

 

[kloveland]

I don’t know if anybody else mentioned this. I didn’t read the entire thread. Some convertibles have a small hole that you can stick a flat head screwdriver through to stop the amateur from turning. That way you can screw off the belt pulley.

 

[dysonman1]

Kenny is absolutely right. You’ll see the small hole in the Bakelite housing for the flat blade screwdriver to go through.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Yeah, I did try putting a screwdriver in that hole. It must be really tight because the screwdriver kept slipping out. I also took the top bearing and brush housing off and tried to just turn the rotor against the vice grip on the pulley, but it's not budging.