I just finished cleaning and lubricating my “junk box” 2036. It really “growls” going around the track. I noticed when I put some more oil on both sides of the armature shaft, the growling started to go away. I am having the same issue with a 2037 engine, also. Are these engines just supposed to growl, or am I not lubricating properlly?
My 2037 does the same thing. The same motor was used in both the 2036 and 2037. Keep oil on each side of the armature shaft and gear studs. Also make sure all of the gears have grease.
You can use oil, but just a very small amount,you don’t want it to get into the brushes or armature surface. A little, more often is best.
Sometimes, a little dab of grease is needed to stop the growling. The grease clings to the shaft better.
Jumijo, Thank You! I disassembled the engine again (3rd. time) and put a little dab of grease on each side of the armature shaft. This seems to have solved the problem with the 2036 for now. It is also beginning to run at lower voltage than previously required. It is still louder than the 675, but it sounds “smoother” than before. I don’t have much experience with the smaller postwar steamers.
Another question: I’m using Labelle 106 grease at the moment. When greasing the gears, I put just enough on to see a little bit of white color between the teeth. It seems better than just putting a “blob” on a couple of teeth and spinning the wheels to spread it. Is this a good idea, or am I getting too much grease on it using my method?
Sounds like you are doing fine. I grease the gears the same way. Spinning the wheels to ensure good coverage. Make sure the wheel bearings are oiled too.
One more issue: I just did the same procedure to the 2037, and it didn’t seem to improve the growl sound very much. It is beginning to run better at lower voltage, but not as low as the 2036. I am assuming the smoke unit is the culprit. I’m considering swapping the motor from the 2036 to the 2037. One thing I did notice during the restoration. The 2037 has new brushes from Olsen’s. The 2036 has it’s original brushes. The original brushes in the 2036 sit almost level with the top of the brushplate. the repro.'s are about an 1/8th" in. from the top of the brushplate in the 2037. I wonder if spring tension is causing a bit of difference?
It’s hard to give an accurate answer without seeing the item. Those engines were not usually considered quiet. Another example is the 2025/675 early production from the late forties ran as quiet as a good watch, 1950s versions ran noisy like the engines you have. If there is no squeal from the armature the noise is normal. As for the brushes, I like to replace the brushes AND springs brushes absorb moisture and grease and springs lose there tension esp. if they run hot. They all have their own personality you rarely find two that run exactly the same.
If you leave the transformer control at the same position for comparing the speeds of the two locomotives, the resistance, if any, of the track between the transformer and each locomotive, plus the internal resistance of the transformer, will cause a voltage drop, which will be greater when the additional current is drawn by the smoke unit. The smoking locomotive will run slower because it is actually receiving a lower voltage.
But if you compare the locomotives by supplying them with the same voltage at the track, the smoke unit makes no difference at all, since it is wired in parallel with the motor, which sees the same voltage as the motor in the smokeless locomotive.
My point is that whether the smoke unit is the culprit in one locomotive’s running slower than the other depends on what is meant by running at a particular voltage, that is, whether measured at the locomotive, at the transformer terminals, or inferred from the transformer control-handle position.
Post war Lionels of the 1950s do sound louder than those of the 1940s. Some have suggested the reason is the use of sintered iron drive wheels and others have suggested relaxed machining standards. Whatever the case, I have several prairie style post war Lionels and an early 2025. The 2025 is quieter, but not silent. However, all my post war Lionels make noise to some degree. If the trains are running better and you don’t see any excessive sparking, enjoy your trains. There isn’t anything on those old Lionels that can’t be fixed fairly easily.
Use SAE 30 light oil on armature shafts - not grease! Only use grease on gears. Use the oil on bearings.
Oil, especially synthetic(like Mobil 1) applied from a needle oiler is fine on newer bearings, but on these spur gear drive / transverse armature locos, a dab of good ol’ Lucas Red 'N Tacky #2 type grease will do wonders in taking up some of the slop in the bearing or bearing plate until a bushing can be fabricated or sourced.
There is no harm in greasing a armature bearing where you actually want a little extra drag as described prior. The Lucas Red 'N Tacky #2 is especially slippery, while clinging very well.
Rob
The grease worked where the oil did not.