I picked up a used Oreck XL 9300 G in good shape. The problem is that the motor was not turning and began smoking when turned on. Is the fan blade supposed to turn independently of the fan cup seal?

I'd give oreck a call...
To speak with an Oreck representative call:
USA: 1•800•989•3535
Canada: 1•888•676•7325

you should be able to prise it of it will just be a push fit see link below
http://www.vacpartswarehouse.com/Oreck-XL9300-s/2925.htm

Probably need to have that serviced at a repair shop. They can tell you whether or not you need a new motor or a fan blade kit.

Turn the machine on and be sure the bag expands quickly and fully like a balloon. If the bag does not fill with air, or is soft, there is probably an obstruction inside the handle tube or fan housing. Disassemble the handle to check for blockage, or remove the bottom plate to check the inlet to the motor fan.

I have a Oreck XL Type 3 Model Air 8 SD....needing the rubber fitting
between the motor and fan blade....can you help?

Remove the bottom and remove all screws at the bottom to gain access to the fan. You need to get the cap out for it is wedged into the fan attached to the motor

It sounds like the belt has been damaged. You can get another belt from yoru local Oreck store. You can even take it in to the store to show them what happened. Purchase another belt and replace it. (It was very easy when I did this, so hopefully the belt is all you'll need too.)

Best of luck!

If it smells like burning rubber with white smoke its the belt make sure the brush spins freely. If its a electrical burning it will smell real bad you WILL be able to tell which then its a motor issue you can remove the bottom plate 5 phillips head screws opposite the motor youll see 1 screw remove it pry the duct out and look to see if there's anything stuck in the fan if not its the motor its self

orecks have a plastic fan inside and everything you pick up hits it, sometimes things can get stuck in there or break the fan locking up the motor. With the machine off, poke around where the dirt goes into the motor, behind the roller and see if you can pull anything out.

Yeah, I had this happen to one of mine, the motor bearing siezed. Even though mine had run out of warranty and I kludged a fix for it Oreck replaced it anyways after inspecting the unit.

Temporary kludges that worked: light machine oil on the motor bearing, flipping the motor over internally, turning the unit on its edge so that it rides on a 'fresh' part of the bearing, running the unit on 'high' while I was out of the house.