This doesn't seem right. But bigger question is whether all sewing machine grease is the same? I would bow to the opinion of my hero, @OurWorkbench .

Thank you for the vote of confidence, Foggy.

I will have to agree with bkay on this one. The formula and machines have changed over the years. There are many greases out there that have been used over the years. While some may be okay for gears, I wouldn't use others if the motor requires lubrication. For those I would use https://www.vaseline.com/us/en/produ...-original.html You want the original.

As with most things there are a variety of opinions out there. There are some that would refer to https://singer-featherweight.com/pro...w-retro-grease or https://www.novamontgomery.com/shop/...t-x4312153.htm for what to use on these vintage machines.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

The two links Janey gave you are to shops that specialize in Singer Featherweights. Featherweights don't have potted motors, so do no use motor grease.
Use the vaseline in the motor pots only. Use some other grease on the gears (I use tri-flow.).

But Featherweights and other motors of that era do use grease. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/10...page=50#manual is for the 221 and https://www.manualslib.com/manual/18...page=30#manual and https://www.manualslib.com/manual/18...page=31#manual are for the 15-90. Granted the grease tubes are different from the potted motors, but still need grease.

Here is a restoration of a 15-125 https://pungolivinghome.com/2019/12/...machine-motor/ and then there is a tutorial for a non-potted motor at https://pungolivinghome.com/2019/12/...machine-motor/ It looks like there are a lot of other tutorials at this site.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

I'm re-reading all the great advice and I truly do appreciate it. We are in the middle of a major remodel and I haven't been able to even go into sewing room! But I have printed out all answers and I will get that machine up and running. Yes, it is a potted motor. No, it does not have a hand crank. It's a great machine, so heavy. I plan on keeping her and getting her up and running to use. Thank you again.

Any chance you all have a picture of the grease cups? I have a modern machine that has gone "thunk" It has been moving rather stiffly and I'm thinking motor grease might be needed even though the manual does not mention it. Modern(less than $300) machines are made to throw away but I am determined to get this one back up and running.