Goodbye old friend...
 

I guess it is the end of the line for my Kenmore 158 that my (late) mom bought new back in the 60's. I have been using it ever since.

It quit working, I suspected the brushes. Had to take the motor apart to get to them, they were completely disintegrating and the housing they sit on was broken as well, probably from the effort to get the motor apart. So no repair possible, it needs a whole new motor.

I have another Kenmore head that fits into my cabinet, but it is not the same as using my mom's machine. I guess I will keep it on the off chance that I can find another motor for free. (Can't convince DH to spend money on it if I have a head that works - he is just not sentimental like me.)

If you join the vintage Kenmore group, I bet someone on there would have a donor machine with the same color motor housing that they'd sell you for a reasonable price.

Tell your DH, if you aren't happy, he won't be happy and you are getting your machine fixed. Sentimentality has nothing to do with it. :)

Joe

That is the same model that I learned to sew on! It was my mother's also. I don't know whatever happened to it but at the beginning of the year I went on a quest to find one just like it. I found one in a table at the Goodwill for $9.00!! Mine didn't come with a manual or accessories so I am (half heartedly) looking for these. I'll find them someday! Sorry about the loss of your machine. Maybe Candace has the right idea???

We saw a nice Kenmore at the thrift store for 19.99...can't believe it was not taken while we were there. Some one will get a good deal.

the other head is also a 158 but with different numbers after, wiring is different. They don't even take the same belt. I guess they made a lot of 158 models.

ptquilts,

There are many many 158- versions. Some have internal motors and some external motors. The external motors can be easily replaced and so can the internal ones. Try you LSMG and see what he has.

Joe

Is it an internal motor or external? There are some pretty nice 158s out there - I really like some of the disks and how they work.

It is down under the machine, I was able to get it off after I took the head off. Not sure if that makes it internal or external.

if it is down under it would probably be internal. If you had another motor could you get one in?