Thread Number: 41059  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Finally got my Sanitaire 641! 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 435827   12/3/2020 at 20:36 (1,239 days old) by Superocd (PNW US)        

Without hesitation, I tore into it and broke it down for cleaning. When I popped the metal hood off, I was a little stumped (but relieved that there weren't any black widows or anything like that). The motor looks like a typical 6.5/7 amp unit that you'd find on most Sanitaires from the 80s until about 10-15 years ago. However, according to the serial on the data plate of the vacuum itself, it was made in 1973. The motor amperage is 3.35 according to the data plate.

On the upper bearing plate of the motor, "3373" is stamped on the top. The fan is plastic (much to my slight disappointment, I would have loved a metal fan), which could mean that it was replaced because these came with metal fans, or it could mean the fan is original to the motor (as 6.5/7 amp motors came with plastic fans) and the motor itself was replaced at some point in the vacuum's life.

What does a 3.35 amp Eureka motor look like? I thought that the Eureka/Sanitaire F&G motors below 6.5/7 amps resembled the 5 amp motors (aka blender motors).

If the numbers on the bearing plate mean anything, what motor do I have, based on the picture?

Also, I think I'm going to repaint the hood as it has some scratches. The obviously unobtanium Sanitaire hood decal is something I don't want to ruin. Masking it off is easy but I've noticed a little bit of rust up at the top recess of where this decal goes on the hood. I'm not too comfortable trying to peel it off (it's an aluminum decal). Thoughts?

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Post# 435840 , Reply# 1   12/4/2020 at 09:08 (1,238 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
Likely Scenario...

 human's profile picture
If this machine was used in a commercial setting, it is very possible the motor was replaced with a newer one at some point. That's the way Sanitaires are designed, sort of like an AK-47. They're very simple and designed for parts to be quickly and easily replaced to get the machines back out the door and earning their keep. They're definitely not built for disposability.

Post# 435844 , Reply# 2   12/4/2020 at 11:13 (1,238 days old) by Elecroluxmodel1 ( Schererville, Indiana)        
That is one amazing Sanitaire!

 elecroluxmodel1's profile picture
I love your amazing Sanitaire!

Post# 435900 , Reply# 3   12/5/2020 at 16:52 (1,237 days old) by superocd (PNW US)        
These old Sanitaires came with a metal fan...

 but mine has a Lexan fan that's pretty old (no chipped blades, but pitted and battered.

Apparently there's a company called Kobenz that produces Eureka/Sanitaire F&G knockoffs, they use metal fans in some of their models and metal fans are available. Would a Kobenz metal fan work in my 641? Or am I better off ordering a genuine Sanitaire Lexan fan?

The brushroll is too far gone to save (the non-replaceable brushes are worn down to nothing) but I salvaged the axle and endcaps in hope to transplant a brand-new VGII to the axle/endcaps.

The baseplate is in OK condition on the bottom but is quite rusty inside the fan/belt channel and where the gasket is. I'm going to try some Barkeeper's Friend (and perhaps some sandpaper and a couple coats of primer if that doesn't work).

I'm not even sure which motor I have -- quite frankly it looks like the ubiquitous 6.5/7 amp but it has "3373" stamped on top, and in 1973, The vacuum itself was produced in 1973 so it's possible that the motor is original to the machine if 3373 is the date code (e.g. March 3, 1973). I'm not even sure if 6.5 or 7 amp motors even existed in regards to Eureka uprights as I have always heard that those motors came out in the mid to late 80s. The data plate on the machine states that the motor is 3.35 amps.

Is there anyone on here that has an old Eureka/Sanitaire with a 3.35 amp motor? Does it look like the ubiquitous 6.5/7 amp pancake motors? What's the scoop about 3.35 amp Eureka motors (since I can't find anything about them with a Google search)?

I'd plug it in and try to find out if it is a 6.5/7 amp pancake motor (I'd know the sound if I heard it) but I've jumped the gun and tore the machine down to every last screw as soon as I came home and found it on my porch. Normally I try out my acquisitions but I wanted to hit the ground running in making this look like new. It's already been sanded and the primer is drying on the hood and base.

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