A.O. Smith 3/4 HP spring washer?

[YewBet]

Hi peoples!

I am very grateful for the wealth of information shared in this forum!

You folks who have rebuilt these old Greenie motors should know this one.

Is there a spring washer or Belleville washer outboard of the bearing at the centrifugal switch end of the rotor? From others' posts I read that the 1 1/8 HP motors have the spring washer but there's no mention of it in descriptions of the 3/4 horse.
After re-wiring mine for reversing, all I can find that goes in there is a thin (about .020") washer that shields the bearing somewhat. It looks like about a 1/8" gap left unaccounted for. It seems I was the first to disassemble it.
Question is, did I lose the spring washer somewhere along the way or is it not required since the other end is already held stationary in this motor?
If it is actually needed, anyone have a spare?

thx for the help,

Wil

[greasemonkey2275]

Wil,

My Greenie 3/4 HP motor did have a spring-style washer at the centrifugal switch end of the motor. I do not have an extra but I am sure that someone on the forum will have an extra motor laying around and be able to help you out.

[YewBet]

Jake,

Thanks for the reply. I take it yours was an A.O. Smith as well.
Well I guess this merits making a more thorough search for the missing spring washer before trying to find a replacement.

[greasemonkey2275]

Wil,

I honestly do not know if it is an A.O. Smith or not. Unfortunately mine did not have any stickers or casting stamps on it and the only reason I remember this is because when I took it down to the electric motor shop here in town the older gentleman that worked there couldn't tell me what it was either. I just rechecked my restoration photos and I don't have any showing any markings. Sorry but I am sure that someone in the SS community has one in an old motor. Hopefully you are able to find yours!

[JPG]

I do not think they are specific to A O Smith motors.

They are used in the belt sander. The size may be similar if not equal.

Their purpose is to allow the bearing to slightly float(thermal expansion???) or to accommodate tolerance buildup.

[billmayo]

I have used spring washers or similar hardware in equipment where one bearing or both bearings are allowed to float and be somewhat free to move. The spring washer keeps a slight pressure on the outer race so the balls in both bearings are kept firmly against one side of the outer & inner races. This keeps the slop out of the bearings as they wear and helps reduce the noise that can occur when the balls and races begin to show wear. It called pre loading of the bearings such as rear ends of cars.

[YewBet]

Thanks for the replies gents!
That's interesting about the preload for the bearing & makes perfect sense. I figured as much when I saw the deep bore & the unfilled 1/8" gap at the short end.
I'm still searching for the beastie but will post back here if I come up empty-handed. I'm not near a large city so new ones may not be easy to find.