Casey75

I have a Singer 66-18 that I am restoring. The motor plate indicates that the motor is a BY 6-7. It doesn't look like the motor has ever been serviced. I would like to thoroughly clean the motor and replace any wiring that shows signs of wear. The motor has snap rings on each end of the motor. What is the best way to remove the snap rings so that I won't damage the paint? Are there any tips or tricks that I should keep in mind when working with snap rings? Beyond a parts list, is there a schematic for this motor? Any help, tips, and tricks would be greatly appreciated.

pocoellie

I can't help you with anything except on removing the snap rings, there are special snap ring "pliers" that you can get probably get just about anywhere, but there are 2 kinds, one that you "hook" into the holes of the rings and pull out, the other, works the opposite way, you probably want the first one.

JoeJr

Here's a very detailed blog about reworking a potted motor:

http://vssmb.blogspot.com/2012/01/co...ted-motor.html

You will have to adjust for a standard motor.

From my own experiences taking apart motors:

1. remove the brush caps first, and very carefully, they can break; I have repaired broken brush caps with plastic epoxy, assuming I didn't lose any pieces.
2. the brushes might drop right out, or you might need to tap the motor with the brush opening down; brushes can be fragile; new ones are available, but sizing them may require some sandpaper
3. The silver tubes above the bearings can be removed and likely contain a wick to hold lubricant (petroleum jelly if you don't have a tube of the old Singer lube); I have replaced the wicks with wool felt, heavily saturated in petroleum jelly before I put them back in; the last motor I took apart had small springs in these tubes keeping the wicks pushed against the shaft
4. I have used sandpaper to clean off the inside parts, but follow whatever that blog says to do
5. I use CRC QD Electronics Cleaner to clean off everything before I put the motor back together; use proper safety gear with it, you don't want it on your skin, and avoid spraying the exterior housing.
6. that blog addresses wiring issues, you can adapt for a "standard" motor

WIChix

Often the snap rings are snipped at an angle when they were made/installed, making it awkward and frustrating to reinstall.

A small rotary tool with a grinder can be used to make those snip ends "square/parallel." (Only a tiny amount should be removed.) Installation becomes much easier, as one isn't trying to balance the two snip ends in the receiver of the snap rings pliers.

Casey75

Pocoellie, Thank you for the suggestion. I should have thought there might be a tool that would help.

Casey75

JoeJr, thank you for the link and the personal insight. This information will be helpful.

Casey75

WIChix, thank you for the tip about the snap ring ends. They do look like they are at a slight angle.

JoeJr

I realized I was talking about brush caps because I was thinking about the last motor I took apart. Yours may have the brush covers which when removed show the brush housings; the brushes are held in by metal tabs. If you decide to take apart the motor I would bend back the tabs and remove the brushes before disassembly. If you don't take it apart you can still clean it with the electronics cleaner I mentioned and service the "grease ports". I have taken this approach on Singer motors with the brush covers and been happy with the results; I know they're cleaner because when I spray them out I watch the gunk drain out the end opposite where I'm spraying.

Casey75

JoeJr, thank you for this additional information.