Fixing Up Century 1/3 HP Single-phase Motor

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   I am hoping to fix up this old Century 1/3 HP motor that came on my Clipper 2B seed cleaner instead of buying a new motor. I'd like to be able to use it to clean some wheat soon and plan on using it for other crops as I start growing more. The motor seems old enough that if not original to the cleaner, it can't be too much newer.
The motor and seed cleaner shafts were locked up when I bought it over a year ago. I freed up the cleaner by hand yesterday, and put a chain wrench on the motor pulley. It broke free with very little effort. I pulled the cast iron pulley off last night and it fought the whole way, and got slightly bent, so if I can't straighten it I may be replacing it. It obviously needs a new cord.

What's the best way to confirm the motor is still good, and put it back into working condition? I was planning on cleaning all the dust/mud dauber nests out and changing bushings/bearings. I'll do what I can with a multimeter to check the windings. There doesn't seem to be much play in the bushings/bearings; however, there is some end play in the shaft. Anything else I need to know about? I do not work on electric motors much.

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wjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Location: KS Points: 2184	Post Options Post Reply Quote wjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Fixing Up Century 1/3 HP Single-phase Motor Posted: 01 Jun 2025 at 9:35am
	I am hoping to fix up this old Century 1/3 HP motor that came on my Clipper 2B seed cleaner instead of buying a new motor. I'd like to be able to use it to clean some wheat soon and plan on using it for other crops as I start growing more. The motor seems old enough that if not original to the cleaner, it can't be too much newer. The motor and seed cleaner shafts were locked up when I bought it over a year ago. I freed up the cleaner by hand yesterday, and put a chain wrench on the motor pulley. It broke free with very little effort. I pulled the cast iron pulley off last night and it fought the whole way, and got slightly bent, so if I can't straighten it I may be replacing it. It obviously needs a new cord. What's the best way to confirm the motor is still good, and put it back into working condition? I was planning on cleaning all the dust/mud dauber nests out and changing bushings/bearings. I'll do what I can with a multimeter to check the windings. There doesn't seem to be much play in the bushings/bearings; however, there is some end play in the shaft. Anything else I need to know about? I do not work on electric motors much.
	1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45

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steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 86684	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 7:06pm
	if the motor spins, the best way to test is just to plug it in... that will confirm real quick if you need to do more work.... iif it starts, you can listen and see if it needs greased and cleaned or new bearing... i dont see a start or run capacitor.. might be a small one inside the rear cover...if not, they do it all in the windings.... cant tell if the plug on the end is ready for 120v power or of all the wires are just hanging... should be a wire diagram inside the small elect box that shows which wires are connected together... it might be a reversible motor due to the multiple wires.
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 86684	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 7:10pm
	end shake, or excess back and forth movement of the shaft is pretty common on old motor design.
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.

wjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Location: KS Points: 2184	Post Options Post Reply Quote wjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 10:05pm
	Thanks Steve. It's a split phase motor so that should explain the lack of capacitors. I presume the light load of a seed cleaner is no problem for startup. You can't see in my picture but the bottom of the motor casing is open and it's filled with stuff, so I do want to clean that out first before I try to run it. From what I can tell this model just had top drip/debris protection. I do agree it seems like there are an awful lot of wires coming out of the motor for what is labeled as a 110V. What is left of the plug appears to have been a 2-prong connection. I haven't gotten into the wiring box yet.
	1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45

DaveKamp Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Apr 2010 Location: LeClaire, Ia Points: 6036	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveKamp Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2025 at 11:24pm
	so... this looks identical to a 1/2hp Century I have. Probably has a start winding controlled by a centrifugal switch. As long as that switch hasn't been broken, just clean it up good, blow it clean with compressed air, oil it, reassemble and put power to it! Edited by DaveKamp - 03 Jun 2025 at 11:24pm
	Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest.

wjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Location: KS Points: 2184	Post Options Post Reply Quote wjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jun 2025 at 10:24pm
	Will do Dave. I keep thinking I will get rained out after work and be forced to work on this inside the shop, but so far I have been able to work outside on the combine.
	1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45

wjohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 19 Jan 2010 Location: KS Points: 2184	Post Options Post Reply Quote wjohn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jun 2025 at 10:27am
	Finally had some time to tear it apart. I dinged up the shaft a little pulling the bushing off, but I can clean that up with a file and it should be okay. The bushings are plenty tight so things don't seem to be worn out. The inside looked like what I expected - mud dauber nests and cobwebs. I will get around to cleaning it up and inspecting it next. The plug interesting - either the prongs disintegrated, or seems more likely it's female. I'm wondering if it's a pair of wires for each winding, basically?
	1939 B, 1940 B, 1941 WC, 1951 WD, 1952 CA, 1956 WD-45

steve(ill) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: illinois Points: 86684	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve(ill) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Jun 2025 at 1:05pm
	sure looks like a plug from 1920 with NO GROUND WIRE !!! Odd that it is female.. the centrifigual switch that DAVE mentioned can be seen in the first two photos... Make sure it "throws out" by pushing with your finger.... clean the POINTS or CONTACTS so that they do contact..
	Like them all, but love the "B"s.