thank you katier, that is interesting reading both sites. this one is really dirty - that's why i'm asking for help in cleaning it. there's a little plate on the front right behind the bobbin threader and that number is EE885464. then on back of motor it says this:
CAT.NO.BA3-8
S.S. AU52-17-1
inger Manufacturing Co.
Elizabethport, NJ
SIMANCO
and here's a pic of the fancy plate on end.
plate on the left end
[ATTACH=CONFIG]51957[/ATTACH]