Vintage Delco 1/3-hp Electric Motor Restoration

Getting close to the Benco Century Motor!

[@BencoVintageMachineWorks]

The finish looks great! Those switches can test your patience but you prevailed. Hopefully last weeks video I uploaded on the Century motor will give you some useful information. That project took about 65 hours. Really enjoyed this video.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Terry I have learned so much from your channel. It’s funny because you work so clean and I am constantly changing gloves, rags and washing up! These things are dirty to start with. 😂👍

[@greghomestead8366]

Love the look and sound of that motor. See you on Friday Have a Jesus filled day everyone Greg in Michigan

[@carldelawter8900]

Loved this video. Furnace motor on Grannys' house (circa 1960) is still working!!! Washer & dryer you showed are still working at Grannys' house too. (1963 Whirlpool) I took thee starter motor off & apart on a 1948 willy jeep 4 times before I found tiny chip on thee bendix gear. Worked on my bench, not on the jeep. More motors next Friday?

[@joelimeco]

Another great video, sad to think how many old motors were scrapped for the copper. Liked the new finish.

[@nescobaraloplop9468]

The closed captioning reported the motor noise as "music". I guess it was right in this case! I really enjoyed this. For my part, dont worry if the videos go long. If I'll stick around to watch you mow your lawn, I'll watch you paint a motor. Great work.

[@arthurleap4562]

Verry interesting John. I have a very old motor I put a work arbor on with a buffering wheel . It just hums but runs fine when you spin it. I'll take a closer look at it now. Thanks Scoutcrafter !

[@Kevin-xs3er]

This was a great episode. Please do more motors!

[@wayneo7307]

Nice job on That Motor Scout . Good Job of Deduction on that Startup Problem. I learned A Quick test of A Thermal Switch is To Jump both Sides Together . And If It Works You Know It's Bad. My Fan Motor Homemade Bench Grinders Thermal Switch is External So It Makes it Easy.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

The motor looks better than new. Sounds so smooth and quiet, likely less noise than a modern equivalent. They did build even small fraction HP motors very robust back then. Well done, it is indeed sweet. Dave.

[@johnpossum556]

But probably very inefficient. All those starting coils take up space and make the motor lose efficiency as its not coupling the magnetism as good as it could be. It would have been interesting to see him hook it up to his watt meter before and after. That would probably have told this story w/o taking it apart. Because you would see nearly the same starting wattage when what you should see is a current/wattage spike of the thinner coil running as well. This would be apparent in the numbers post repair/restoration.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Yes, these old motors are inefficient. Just look at the plate, 6 Amps for a 1/3HP motor. The old motors have their charm, but efficiency is not part of the charm. Good to not run these often or for long periods. Dave.

[@SmallEngineMechanic]

That came out nice! Good troubleshooting of the centrifugal switch!

[@johnfix1]

What a monster job that was. I'm afraid it is over my pay grade but if I am ever faced with a motor repair I will use your video as a guide.

[@carlmcgee1623]

Your acquired knowledge and skills aids others in there endeavor's. Thank you for sharing and job well done !

[@BoscoMurphy]

Great Video. I picked up a lot of info on it as I have a 1942 Delco Motor that goes on a Globe Meat Slicer, #4030. Anyway it mounts into a gear case that has a Worm Gear set up. It developed an oil leak in which the gear oil leaked into the motor, a real mess. The Seal that failed is called a Rotary Seal and you can get it at McMaster Carr, part #9562K44., cost 3 bucks. What caught my eye was the Rocker Switch and your explanation was perfect although mine is riveted on so I didn't mess with it. Thanks

[@not2fast4u2c]

Good job on repairing the starter switch ....I like the raw steel polished look🤓

[@357magdad]

Great episode! I'm enjoying learning along with you!

[@tonylenge424]

Watching Benco Vintage Machines got me hooked. Like you I am trying to learn as much as I can for some projects I have. Your video has taught me some more. Thanks

[@ScoutCrafter]

Terry is awesome! He does such nice work too. 😃👍

[@rico1319]

The radio operator in you is coming out! Lol! 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱

[@toolrestoration]

Hiya John , first bell end is an insult( or term of affection between two friends) in the UK .... 🤣🤣 Loved this show , especially as I take motors apart that don't work and when I get em back together . .. they still don't work . Then I take apart ones that do work .... When I get them together ... They don't work either !,🙂 However I do u understand everything you said , I've just had bad motors or ones that couldn't be fixed ... Definitely Wasn't my fault . 🤣🤣🤣 Love the finish as soon as I saw how clean that casting cane up I was shouting wax it bare metal finish at the tv !! Thank you for the time spent in this show . 👍👍👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Jim- I have been there too! So frustrating!!! 😃👍

[@kevinbrassil9836]

That was an awesome episode. Thanks ScoutCrafter

[@MrVinojack]

Thanks for this video. Found an old Delco in my basement. I was able ro rewire with your info.

[@805ROADKING]

Well done Mate!! Sometimes the best way to get an education is just to dive in and learn as ya go eh!!☻

[@Justicejamesb]

I'm having the exact same issue with a motor I'm working on, it has to be that switch you're talking about that's causing it. At least I have a point to start at now, thank you so much!!

[@JordanSkole]

Great job! This was awesome to watch! Thanks for making it for us!

[@mikemorrison6023]

I used to work on electric motors with my grandfather back in the 70s and 80s . He had a electric motor repair shop . He learned his trade back in the 30s . He was so sharp. He used to rewind motors by hand . I worked on a bunch of the spoon switches on those old Delco motors . Heck I got all of his inventory after he passed away . Still have it, boxed up and put away. Good memories!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Mike- I sure wish I could have met your Grandfather and picked his brain a little! I bet he had tons of helpful tips and tricks to get these motors purring like new…. Thanks!!! 😃👍

[@Brian-Burke]

I absolutely love your motor teardowns. This one was your best yet. Great troubleshooting with the startup!

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Outstanding episode! I know you didnt enjoy the trouble you ran into and I am glad you have plenty of patience, so, I appreciate you showing the issue and the fix. Good stuff Mr. John! Enjoying these motors and how you get them to look!!👍

[@trendkill7]

I must admit I did laugh out loud when you said 'bell ends'

[@lordvengerx]

Learning along with you is great stuff. Plus watching an old used motor transform into looking like it's brand new again is awesome. I am really enjoying the series 🙂

[@wrod7510]

A lot of work, but so rewarding!!! Love the unfinished look!!! BTW John, these videos are so soothing to watch. Nothing better than a Scout Crafter vid after a hard day's work!!!

[@parlenkow]

This motors was xtremely Well made they pass all of “time test”

[@joemoach832]

Great video! That motor looks like new. Nice job diagnosing that disconnect switch. I have an old Westinghouse 1/3 HP motor that has been sitting under my bench for years. I now have the inspiration (and courage) to maybe take it apart and clean it up.

[@alexstools]

I've never worked on motors and don't plan on doing so real shortly but I still really really enjoy these videos. Thank you! I've been cleaning my car now for three evenings in a row because it has it's annual checkup on Friday and I want to make it look as good as I can by then..

[@ScoutCrafter]

Alex- I do the same before my annual inspection- Plus I tip the guy! 😂👍

[@ianbutler1983]

Nobody was born an expert in anything. We should be patient with ourselves when we learn new skills. Well done. Thanks.

[@davidparker3346]

love the shellac finish. When I was watching you wire wheel it I was hoping you weren't going paint it.

[@terryrogers1025]

Every expert in any field was a beginner, not only a beginner, but a beginner with a willingness to learn. That’s what I like about your channel and you sir. I spent some time working in an electric motor shop, I learned a lot. Thanks for the video

[@ScoutCrafter]

Terry- It really is a lost art, years ago it paid to repair these but now they are disposable. Thanks!! 😃👍

[@johnpossum556]

BTW I had an interesting find from an apt building near me. They threw out these motorcycle exhaust with 3 pieces of fancy chrome trim that just had surface rust. I grabbed them for the radiator hose clamps but now I attached the straight chrome pipe to my clothesline pole because I used Brasso on them and they cleaned up wonderfully. Almost like new. Speaking of old stuff I am enjoying Necco wafers. Been around since 1847.

[@wireworks616]

You did a great job on the Delco motor. Reminds me of all the times I had to rebuild motors for the printing equipment I used to run in the past.

[@bigmikeh5827]

Excellent job my friend. Stay the course

[@itsabughunt6310]

I'm learning so much from you and your friends! Thanks!

[@nvz357]

Thank you again….I have two old guys I was gonna toss but again you inspire me to give it a shot….👍🏼

[@krishoogstraat6866]

John hats off to ya for your patience on this one. Lol. I don’t think I could stay calm enough after 2 tear downs to continue. But……. You just showed us how patience pays off. What a beautiful motor and sounding motor. Nice job !

[@MrGoosePit]

So many designs for centrifugal switches. I appreciate your showing how to fix the one in that motor. I like the choice of color too! Nice job ScoutCrafter!

[@thymekiller]

Love the look of the bareetal. Nice vid, very helpful. Thanks for great vids.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Sweet motor! I did a 1930s Craftsman 1/2 horse bench grinder (black ends with blue sheetmetal) and am in the process of restoring a 50s 3/4 horse that looks like yours (gray ends with chrome sheetmetal). Both came from a scrapyard. I used a large round start capacitor and made a wood base tall enough to house it

[@bigpete4227]

That was an even more interesting and satisfying video than normal.

[@larryborkstrom3580]

It can be fussy at the contacts good thing you got it cleaned up before the contacts arc up to where they burn right thru the fiber contact plate

[@keithwilliams8661]

Thanks again John, l really didn't need another bad habit. Looks like I'll be looking for electric motors now. Very nice job though

[@timeflysintheshop]

Great job Scout! Way to persevere! My problem there is that my shop time flies such that if it did not work the first time, I would set it on a back burner and maybe get back around to it YEARS LATER! 😁

[@ScoutCrafter]

James, that is where retirement really comes in handy…. 😂👍

[@MrWoolyMonster]

I can’t say I remember how exactly I came across your videos, but I happened upon your channel a few months ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. Your videos are fun and informative and as a native New Englander (from New Haven, CT), I really appreciate the highlighting of tools from local area companies. I can’t claim to be all that young, but at the same time I have to say I’m an old soul compared to most of my peers, and I really feel a kinship with this community. Hopefully I’ll get to see you someday at Elephant Trunk maybe, but I just wanted to express my appreciation for the effort and time it takes to make these, and the knowledge and entertainment you’ve provided me over the past few months. So thanks and keep up the great work! -Vinny

[@CrashPrinter]

Welp, you saved me. I have a Delco 1.5 hp from the same era and the switch had me all sorts of confused. Thanks for saving me. The startup was so slow, and now I know why.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Very nice restore John.

[@13thworker45]

Great job, my first one was a craftsman double shaft half horse. It was apart for well over a year on my bench. Some of my friends said I would never get it back together. Like you I cleaned painted and polished all the pieces including the bolts and screws. I had about 4 hours putting it back together. The only thing wrong was motor direction. Simple fix. I’ve done 4 now and I enjoy it. I just have to make sure I can dedicate the time. I believe I have a century motor too that works but needs a face lift. They are very heavy. Thank you.

[@melkc345]

20 bucks and a lot of OJT equals one sweet gem of a motor. Fantastic! Jim

[@cdfegab]

I grabbed a 1930s scroll saw and I want to do a clean up and restoration. This video is super helpful! Thank you

[@bernardvonderheide1268]

Motor turned out nice . Lots of information thanks.

[@snapringchronicles3020]

Good stuff! I’m always learning something over here👍

[@deancollins8229]

Great video John !

[@19Bmiller]

Thanks, it came out a work of art. I have a motor with a wire wheel that got from my father-in-law, made by Packard from a washing machine with a switch like the one yours came with. Not sure of the age for mine but 80's or before. And for motors, I have a 1934 GE monitor top frig that I keep soda in. About 30 years ago the motor went. At that time I was lucky. I went into a shop in Albany told them what I had and needed and the guy came back with the motor I needed new in a box. Those days are gone

[@ScoutCrafter]

That fridge was made to run forever!!! 😃👍

[@IsaacWilsonSantiago]

Most important thing I learned was the word and concept of a Centrifugal switch.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Hang on, all that work and not one flash of Scout Crafter red? 😮‍💨 I love working on old motors but sometimes they have me scratching my head too. Yesterday I was going over the motor on my new to me Gravograph which I emailed you about and when I had finished it wouldn’t work. Head scratching and fault finding finally showed that one of the brushes had gotten hung up when I put them back in and wasn’t contacting the armature. Thankfully a little wiggle and a twist and it snapped in fully and all was good with the world again. Jeremy Fielding has an awesome channel about electric motors. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Stuart! Sometimes it takes me weeks to get to my emails! If ever you have a query just leave a comment on a current video! LOL I look there until the new video is posted. =D Thanks!!!!!!!

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

@@ScoutCrafter No worries Scout, I don’t know how you ever catch up with them all😂😂😂

[@americansewingmachineresto1545]

John, what a great motor series. You did a good job of going through all of the details. My 1939 Atlas Craftsman lathe is original per the tag. When I start refurbing the lathe, I want to service the motor. I’ll bet it’s never been opened since new. But, like you, I’m a motor novice and have several motors in my stock as practice. I also have a Craftsman motor identical to the one in your shop. It’s a 1/2 horse and is similar to the one on the lathe. So I have a backup but sure hope to do a good job on the original. I went on a motor group and they tell me the motor was made by Packard. Thanks for another great video. Best Regards, John

[@TomGunnTools]

Runs like a top! Well done! They are always fun. I did a couple with so drill presses I restored.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

That looks and sounds great now, Nice job!

[@stephenkent8903]

Scoutcrafter you did a great job. Very informative and I love the black and silver look!

[@patjohnson3100]

Great rebuild. The narration and discussion is very helpful. It really adds to the understanding. The wiring befuddles me. Must have been a great feeling when it started up like it is supposed to.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Pat- the wiring also befuddles me! 😂. However with every motor I am gaining a bit more understanding and as soon as I get it I will break it down to something we can all grasp! 😃👍

[@chrisedwards2054]

What a beautiful motor it finished wonderfully and that smooth quiet operation, great job!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

That was sweet AND what! Don't blame you a bit on the color. WONDERFUL! I can't tear motors down so if the crud is loose or I can gouge it loose without messing up anything vital I'll loosen and shake it out and maybe blow it some with the compressor and lube it up but that's it. I'm too scared of breaking or ruining a connection and if it works, it'll have to keep on working. No feeling fingers are rough but not the worst. My eyes have to make up for what I can't feel. That's why most of my work is done outside on the pickup tailgate. Happy Mid-week, Buddy and GBWYou!

[@johnpossum556]

I put a new starting capacitor ina nice Honeywell Digital Oscillating Floor Fan and it didn't fix it so I killed 2 motors! I am now thinking about making it into a floor lamp with a rotating head since that has its own motor. I have a Tiffany style clear glass panel I made from scratch so I figure it would make a nice ripple light in red behind the TV at night.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@johnpossum556 Sounds like a plan to me. Gopher it!

[@shedmanx3640]

Remarkable job mate. Those things are a lot of hard work, but you persevered and got there in the end.

[@philparker1666]

Beautiful job Scoutcrafter,, amazing restoration, I really admire your patience when doing this work, so educational, thank you so much 👍👍👍👍✌️🇺🇸🇬🇧✌️

[@nicknicoletti9778]

We all learned a little something I think. Very interesting. Great restoration. I love the final product. The original casting color and the polished metal.

[@finbah5706]

Great restoration video. I like the narration as you go. Explaining stuff your doing and why. Many restoration channels play music instead. I want to hear the restorer's thought process.

[@lotsabirds]

Great Job! These videos seem to go by so quick!! That motor looks great and it just hums!! Have a Fantastic rest o' the week!

[@rawbacon]

Years ago we went to an old motor factory and repair place in a small town and they still had NOS parts for this type of motor. Of course that was over a decade ago and those places keep disappearing as their owners tend to be rather old and either retire or die.

[@johnpossum556]

AVE did a good video about the grumblers that help test motors. Fascinating stuff.

[@w1man]

Excellent work!

[@marko11kram]

Great episode!

[@foxwood67]

Persistence and reward. I Could feel the sigh of relief once it was right. I’ve been there done that.

[@BrianRust89]

Awesome man! I really appreciate the way you explain things. You explain things the way I would. Where as some people on KZbin try to be experts at everything and use terminology that they looked up the day before and don’t even know what they are talking about hahaha. Great job man!!

[@aceroadholder2185]

Very good points in the video. A phone camera is a life saver when you go to put the switch gear back together. Be very careful pulling the bell ends off. The wiring is usually cloth insulated and often in really delicate condition. The real pain in many of these old motors are the tiny rings used to make the connectors on the ends of the wires (you can see them clearly as John removes the stator wires from the posts on the insulated mounting). If the wire is frayed at the ring there's no way to repair it without a new ring and I don't know where you'd source new ones. I use crimp-on connectors as a replacement. The trick is to drill out the smallest connector you can get the wire into so the connector will go over the post. Being so cramped for space you may have to cut the plastic off the connector and carefully solder the wire into the connector and not bother trying to crimp the connection.

[@ronaldwilliams4290]

How sweet the sound. Great job John.

[@jackthompson2132]

Man, I almost missed this video! And what a great video this was! I’m getting ready to work on a motor and you gave me a lot of stuff to remember. Thank You for sharing John!!

[@tungsten_carbide]

Thanks for much for this and the previous video John, very helpful to me! And of course the Delco turned out *great* 😃

[@bobbyw9046]

SC, Nice resto on the motor! BTW I was recently looking at 1/3 HP motors (new) and they are $150 -$200 bucks now. It really pays to fix up the old washing machine and appliance motors. Even at that price, I'd bet they are not half as good as the vintage ones are. I have restored a few and use them for buffing wheels and wire wheels. They last pretty much forever!.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Bobby- I think you can still get decent US made motors at a good price if you look around, I have heard a lot of complaints about new motors going bad after less then 6 months! That is crazy! Thanks!!!

[@stephendoherty1275]

Good job! Great work.

[@johnpossum556]

3:33 That's how my middle knuckle of my middle right finger is larger than my other one and has been for like 40+ years. It got caught on a band of underwear as I was doing the rolling part and my right hand went in and was squished. I popped the reset button with my free hand. Luckily my dad had worked on it the day before. Oiled and loosened it up just like we do here. Apparently a day earlier and that release mechanism was not working. 90 miles to the nearest hospital if things were more serious... I never went. I also have one of these washing machine motors set up as a generic wolverine grinding jig I made out of free bed angle iron. Speaking of which I saw some more earlier today that I want to get.

[@tony1721]

That was a superb video……so clear, so informative……and what a beautiful item, and a nice repair too. now I have to get some……love your pronunciation of centrifugal ….

[@sebglayburg5163]

Way to go, John, great trouble shooting! I'm impressed

[@johnkelley9877]

Wow, that was a lot of work but it looks great! There is so much helpful information in this tutorial. Thanks for sharing this.

[@andrewsmactips]

As an aside: whatever adjustments you’ve made to the iPhone-lock them in because the color temperature/exposure look great now. 👌

[@ScoutCrafter]

Andrew- I did that special for this video! Very saturated! I like that look! Thanks 😃👍

[@tomhughes4980]

Excellent restoration and challenge!

[@paulsworkshop4179]

What difference. Great job.

[@guataco]

Que belleza de resultado. ¡Felicitaciones!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Juan!!! 😃👍

[@joeheilm]

Ill say it again, you do an excellent job with these motors. Outstanding. Cheers

[@lotsatrains]

Great job it sure was a tough one but thank goodness you stayed on top of it and got it ! 👍 gotta love when that happens 😀🙌

[@davidcoats1037]

Wow! That came out fantastic. Well done 😃👍🏼

[@stevekondratowicz3940]

Great work

[@kadmaster]

Good job as always,sir...I waited for chevy red again but you disappoint me sir...Just kidding awesome job...I really really like it...Thnx for sharing...

[@hofmandselv]

Nice work! ♥️♥️

[@GuntersGarage]

Man that thing looks sweet, sounds so smooth!

[@Flatout1930]

Great video! I was hoping you would go more into the bushings and the wadding and wicking inside how to clean it and maybe where to buy it. How much oil to add to it etc. I have a motor I’m going through and not finding much info on this.

[@Sawtooth70]

Beautiful work. I love it. Another great video, very educational and entertaining.