Help on lubricating Southwind Heater motor

[Lawson Cox]

I am attempting to rebuild an old Southwind heater. Stuck on how to disassemble the motor to lubricate it. I am sure the 60-70 year old grease/oil has long since dried up and it needs to be serviced. Looks like it should come apart, but how, and what to look out for. Thanks for any help you can give.

Happy Birthday to me. LOL

[Vic Piano]

Happy Birthday Lawson. You might try to Google Southwind, maybe you'll find an exploded (no pun intended, LOL) view of one that will give you some idea re how to disassemble it.

[Lawson Cox]

I have it disassembled, all new parts installed but I would like to lubricate the motor before cranking it up. I have learned a lot about these old heaters. Pretty simple to work on if you have the new parts to replace the old ones which are crudded up with old lead salts. lol

[Henry/Kokomo]

How about a dry lubricant like powdered graphite? Or a lot of graphite mixed with a little oil? When the oil dries out, you'd still have lubrication. Just a thought.

[Kurt in NJ]

I have had squeaking--binding blower motors made very happy with 1 drop of trans fluid ---20 years on some

Most small motors have bearings (bushings)made of powdered metal ---the space between the crumbs hold oil ---trans fluid can dissolve some of the dried oil and soak into the bearing ---if it is heated some with oil on it (or submersed and heated) the expanding air will bubble out, when it cools oil will be sucked in ----

[Lawson Cox]

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Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

I have had squeaking--binding blower motors made very happy with 1 drop of trans fluid ---20 years on some

Most small motors have bearings (bushings)made of powdered metal ---the space between the crumbs hold oil ---trans fluid can dissolve some of the dried oil and soak into the bearing ---if it is heated some with oil on it (or submersed and heated) the expanding air will bubble out, when it cools oil will be sucked in ----

I am trying to get it APART so I can do that.

[keith oh]

Lawson, I have a complete set of installation instructions but do not see any mention of motor lubrication. Everything else is minutly covered, I guess they must have figured those instructions available from motor manufacturer. Keith Oh

[1931 flamingo]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAWSON ! ! ! ! !

Paul in CT

[jimTN]

I just went thru my factory lit. and found nothing on servicing the fan motor. As late as 1985 you could get a new motor for $18.95, a big jump from 1950 when they were $4.95. Looks like the motor has two rods with nuts running thru it, will the caseing split when those rods/screws are removed?

[ken ct]

Originally Posted by jimTN

I just went thru my factory lit. and found nothing on servicing the fan motor. As late as 1985 you could get a new motor for $18.95, a big jump from 1950 when they were $4.95. Looks like the motor has two rods with nuts running thru it, will the caseing split when those rods/screws are removed?

Most likely its kinda like a FH starter with through bolts or screws. Might be kinda hard to put back together[the brushes ] ,good luck Lawson and HAPPY BIRTH DAY. ken ct. I think i would try to spray lube it with one of those little straw like tubes on a can of lube.Rather than take it apart.

[Lawson Cox]

I have tried several suggestions but wish Southwind had covered this particular item in their service material. I couldn't find anything about the motor either. I have done the best I can and have it back together. Hopefully, when it sits and dries a while, it will work. Will hook it up to battery and give it a whirl. I hope it will whirl anyhow. LOL

[Cool Hand Lurker]

A lot of those old motors were throw-aways. You might be able to drill a small hole in the end cap of the bushing and inject some oil in that way. I have done this to other blower motors with success.

[Manuel]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lawson!!!

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by Cool Hand Lurker

A lot of those old motors were throw-aways. You might be able to drill a small hole in the end cap of the bushing and inject some oil in that way. I have done this to other blower motors with success.

That's a thought. At least it's worth a try. Thanks

[Lawson Cox]

Originally Posted by Manuel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lawson!!!

Thanks. It was a good one. Lot of time spent with family and kin.

[georgewarren]

I have had sucess dismantling throw away power window motors by gringing the rivets out and lubing the bearings with white grease. I drilled smal holes in the side of the case, held the brushes back with fishing line, reassembled the case, added new rivets, and cut and pulled the fishing line out; worked every time, and the motors lasted the life of my ownership. I like the idea of heating the oilite bearings in oil to drive out the air and pull in the oil, will try that next time! Good luck!

[Kurt in NJ]

Drilling a small is a method I have used before, but the amount of oil introduced needs to be small, flooding it will probably get oil on the brushes ---one or2drops can be enough----usually that end is where the brushes are

[keith oh]

There is some super lubricant called Garage door roller lube that requires very little and hangs on very well. I am going to try it on my heater motor.

[Kurt in NJ]

Garage doors need lubricant that stays in the tracks where you spray it, heater motors need lube that will penetrate the bushings---2 different needs in lubricant

[bgarrett]

Isnt Lawson Cox that famous guy?