Funny, to me all this discussion about old motors catching fire.
The only time I had a motor overheat was a modern suction pump, in
a pressed-wood case.  It got hot enough to melt the insulation on
the wiring and caused a short circuit.  (And, if anyone is wondering,
I used the motor as a bench vacuum supply for rebuilding my Ampico
years back.)

To those who want to start playing with 220V motors at 110V, my
advice is the motor is rated for what you're supposed to use it for.
Don't!

Eli Shahar

 [ The motor name plate sometimes bears the rating the customer ordered,
 [ not the motor's true capability in a favorable environment.  That's
 [ why an "Ampico" motor might bear a rating of 1/8 hp when enclosed in
 [ a piano, but the same design when used as a fan motor might be rated
 [ at 1/6 hp.  -- Robbie