Originally Posted by frauhahn
I'm assuming the gears need to be packed with grease-to reduce friction. The grease dries out after a while.
Same as your car needs grease in areas to run efficiently.
My machine has a whitish grease in areas. Not too much, enough to help it function correctly. Unless you know what you are doing, it does take a special grease and NOT the one your car uses. Oil is different and not to be used where the grease is.
Since it is 1947 Kenmore, teh gears are more than likely metal not teh hard plastic so many have today. If not done correctlly, you could really gunk up your machine.
Google it and see what you come up with or better yet, go to the Vintage section here and find out. Billy had a slight relapse in health this weekend, so may not answer. Charlee will.