Long story short I just traded some stuff with a gentleman that works on my trains when I need help for a 2343 ABA. He is very knowledgeable and does great work however he is at a disadvantage when it comes to testing engines because he doesn’t have an O scale test track, just HO. Everything has been taken apart cleaned, lubed, new brushes etc but it “studders” in both forward and reverse. He said it may just need broke in. Any thoughts so I may be able to take care of it myself instead of running it back to him. Thanks as always.
Just an idea try hooking two wire to it with it off the track and see if it still studders this may help someone help you with a solution ( if you can try doing this with it sitting upright. in the air )(Alligator clip to the middle pickup bracket and wire to one of the put side wheels (takes a little practice)
It still does.
I’m not that great on items like this but I’m thinking either its the windings or it could be something with the way they sit in the truck thats not right but if its studdering I’m thinking its electrical
another idea have you tried to lockit out in one direction as it could be something with the e-unit
I’m still feeling its something with the winding
the rotor
Wish you luck
I seriously doubt that a 2343A needs breaking in. If it still shudders with alligator clips, I would check the brush holders to make sure they are clean and there is spring tension on the brushes.
Earl
The brushes and springs have all been replaced. Should I spray a little electric cleaner some place? When it shudders it kinda grinds, I think that’s why he said let it break in a little before bringing it back. Its been completely taken apart and lubed but something is not quite right.
Did he clean the brush tubes? Even with new brushes and springs, the brushes may not make good contact with gummed up brush tubes.
Run the engine with the body off at night and watch for sparking. Look closely at the e-unit fingers.
The next place to look would be around the worm gears and bearings. You would need to look at Lionel’s maintenance manuals to insure it is assembled correctly.
Good Luck…
Earl
Any chance there is a link somewhere to a manual for this particular engine?
Ok, I sprayed a wee bit of electric motor cleaner on the commutator…runs fine. Hope it was ok to do that?
I spray contact cleaner on my commutators regularly. Just make sure it is ‘Plastic Safe’.
Earl
Yeah you got him going in the correct direction I had a simular problem with a 2343 but it was the rotors needed rewireing
Greenberg’s manual said to use this one for the 2333
Thanks for the link. I got a good nights sleep thinking it was running good but this morning…back to square one.
Earl, I did pop the top off last night, sparking was taking place near the brush plate/ commutator. Is that fairly normal? Does it sound like the springs? Like I said the electric cleaner seemed to smooth it out and it ran great til this morning.
Sparking around at least one brush is normal when running. What do the pickup rollers that touch the track look like? What kind of shape are they in and is the spring pressure good and even between them? I would want to make sure the worm gear bearings in the trucks are oriented in the right position. If your repair guy had never done a lionel f3 he might not know there is only one way those go in place. Run it with the body off and watch the E unit for arching as it runs. If you see any that is your problem.
Roger
Sparking is always present where the brushes contact the commutator. Excessive sparking is usually caused by dirty brushes or commutator face or a worn commutator face. It is difficult to define excessive. You just learn what sparking is excessive through experience.
If you found no other sparking besides the brushes and the rollers where it contacts the rail, then your electrical system is probably ok. Did you look inside the e-unit?
You stated that your engine is now running fine in a previous post, so I would call the case closed unless you find more problems.
Earl
Yeah roger I broke down and called him, he thinks its a bearing. Im gonna take it to him tomorrow. 
Thanks for the help all.
Have him check the shaft end bearings in each truck. They’re easy to install wrong, and will bind as a result.
The question I guess I have now is why when I sprayed electric motor cleaner on the commutator it worked great temporarily?
There still could be a problem there in the brushes/brush plate. The horizontal F Units can be tricky to service. You have any TCA guys or post war guys around that can teach you how to service them?
Roger