Century help

[Alex Koh]

I'm new to working on these later Century fans. Is there a way to open the gearbox on both of them without destroying the pot metal?

[Stan Adams]

If that rear cap doesn't screw off by hand, then no. I have owned both of those same model fans in the past & both of them turned into basket cases.

[Alex Koh]

13 hours ago, Stan Adams said:

If that rear cap doesn't screw off by hand, then no. I have owned both of those same model fans in the past & both of them turned into basket cases.

Do you remember which way the cap unscrews?

[Stan Adams]

Been a very long time, but quite certain it is CCW

[Alex Koh]

I'm not too sure where to go from here. I started chipping away at the rubber gasket that in between the cap and tried soaking it in penetrating oil and the cap won't budge.

[Jim Henderson]

The pot metal threads are probably fused and distorted. 

[Alex Koh]

Sucess. Turns out the rubber trim was the problem, after picking away at it and sitting the back cap in a pool of WD40 it broke loose. The cap is still perfectly intact.

[Alex Koh]

Threads on smoothly

[Anthony Lindsey]

you should run to the store and buy a lottery ticket.

[Alex Koh]

12 hours ago, Anthony Lindsey said:

you should run to the store and buy a lottery ticket.

Sadly that luck may not work again for the second century. Somebody tried opening it with a tool and damaged the cap a bit. I’ll still give it a try in the future but I’m expecting it to fall apart.

[Steve Stephens]

I avoid the Centurys except for the 5-speed models that are all cast iron and steel without the usual decomposing pot metal parts.   Sometimes you'll come across a pot metal 3 speed century that is in good condition.  Check to see that you can remove the rear gearbox cap before buying and look closely for any cracks in the pot metal.

[Alex Koh]

17 hours ago, Steve Stephens said:

I avoid the Centurys except for the 5-speed models that are all cast iron and steel without the usual decomposing pot metal parts.   Sometimes you'll come across a pot metal 3 speed century that is in good condition.  Check to see that you can remove the rear gearbox cap before buying and look closely for any cracks in the pot metal.

I can now see why people really like the early models.

[Alex Koh]

For some reason I can casually move the front bearing back and fourth withA some force. But it doesn’t ever slide out of the housing.

[Alex Koh]

Who would’ve thought that the two nails for the tag actually held the stator in. Explains why I was unable to remove the stator.

[Paul Carmody]

Thanks for showing the screws in the stator.That could be useful information in the future for myself and others.

[Alex Koh]

I decided to try my luck at the second one and I managed to get the cap off. It’s a little tight to screw on but the threads are perfect.

[Lane Shirey]

You’re a glutton for punishment.