New Motor and Mods for a Hoover Constellation

[jeremyshane]

I'm about to begin a project on a Hoover Constellation model 858 with the intention of adding a new motor, electro hose, power nozzle, new coat of original color paint, original color cord, but a 40' 3 wire. And new attachments eventually.

Here's the catch: I'm going to do all of this without making any permenant hardware alterations to the vacuum itself, so that it will retain its original simple design. This will require some creativity.

I've added a gallery of the cleaner as it is now, before any of the aforementioned modifications.

 

[countryguy]

Wow, it looks like it has never been used!

Gary

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I did that with a Constellation model 454 about 10 years ago; I left the original motor, and just added a powernozzle outlet next to the switch. I changed the cord, too. I modified a hose from a more modern Hoover canister (Futura), had to lengthen the pigtail in order for it to reach the outlet. I also modified the bag somehow, perhaps using the the allergen filtration bags and cutting the cardboard collar so it would fit. It's stored away in a box at the moment, but I took it out for a picture when I was deep cleaning my vacuum room last year.

Good luck and keep us posted! What kind of PN are you going to use?

 

[kirbylux77]

Just wondering, how would you be able to put an electric hose on the cleaner without modifying the cleaner? Wouldn't you have to make a hole in it to make room for a PN receptacle to make your hose work? And how would you modify the existing hose coupling to make a new hose work?

Rob

 

[kirbylux77]

Fred

Looks like we posted at the same time, what a coincidence . Beautiful Constellation you have there....the turquoise looks lovely on it & the black PN & hose matches well. Did you have to modify the hose connector going into the vacuum as well as the pigtail? It would be nice for all of us to see a picture, for anybody that wishes to modify their Constellation as well.

Rob

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Hey Rob, yep, we must have. I don't think I had to modify the hose end at all; it was just a nice coincidence that it fit. There are two little 'tabs' that were able to sort of lock it in place. I may have put some reinforcement inside the opening of the cleaner, as the diameter of the hose inlet is actually smaller than the hose opening in the Constellation. Perhaps I'll dig it out and take some more detailed photos if I get some extra time.

 

[jeremyshane]

I am going to use the PN from a Hoover Futura, modifying the hose that went with it. Got them off a Futura with a bad motor.

I got this Constellation at a community thrift store for $15. Just reattached the wire from the cord where it had been pulled out and it works!

 

[constellation86]

Neat project. I can't wait to see how it turns out. What motor are you putting in?
And Fred that's a nice 454, I'd love to see more pictures of what you did.
NIcholas