Update on 1948 (117-812) Kenmore.
 

Well, I got her up and running. Thanks to purplefriend I got it threaded. Now I need to know about oiling the motor. I ran it for just a few (about 20) stitches and it was sounded pretty rough. The stitches look good. I don't want to hurt the motor. The motor is a Kenmore.

Sorry I have no idea!! Beautiful machine.

JS830,

I have one of those brown crinkle Kenmores too. Nice machine. One reason the motor may sound rough is the rubber on the drive wheel will compress leaving a flat spot. As the motor turns the hand wheel it makes a vibrating roar. Mine was horrible until I replaced the drive wheel.
To lube the motor I believe my instruction manual says to fill the lube cups with petroleum jelly. It's down in the basement so I'm running from memory here.

Joe

Joe The thing on the bottom (sorry I don't know the correct names) looks like it has a screw off cap and there is a stright slot for a screwdriver on the top of the motor. Am I any where close? Sandy

Joe is probably referring to the friction pulley--it's the small rubber wheel that extends out from the motor. When it sits for a long time, a flat spot develops. The faster you run the machine, the faster the "whomping" sound it makes. Kind of like driving on a flat tire. :) I circled it in red on your photo.

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Sometimes, if the dent in the rubber isn't too deep, you can take a piece of sandpaper and hold it to the rubber while the motor turns and sand most of the dent out...

Sandy,

The lube goes in the little silverish screw off cap on the bottom of the motor on each end. You can see the pully end one just behind drive wheel. There should be a wick inside. I haven't pulled mine out yet so I'm not positive on that.

The screw slot deal on the top rear of the motor is the brush cap. No need to mess with that as long as the motor is running good. There is one top and bottom.

Joe

Good Luck with her