Hi. I have two flywheels that I belive will work with a new motor if I can determine which type drive shafts will fit tight and snug inside the flywheel. I am familiar with the “hexon” designed for Athearn and plan to add this motor and flywheels to an Athearn locomotive (GP 38-2). Can you tell by looking at the photo attached? https://www.flickr.com/photos/jrpfilestoshare1/50006511987/in/dateposted-public/
Thanks.
JRP
Do you have a dial caliper? You can get one cheap enough from Amazon.
I did NWSL gear and shaft replacements in the 1970’s with a plastic one that coast me about ten dollars.
I now have a digital one that still has the dial. Not expensive.
Rich
Athearn flywheel - uses a press in insert that has the ball attachment as part of it (part number 95004) …
Mark.
I have worked a little bit with the Athearn flywheels. The Athearn BB shaft measure 3.15mm/.124” diameter and I have successfully shimmed them using a K&S 3mm brass tubing. I have removed the flywheels from the Athearn motors and reused them on can motors with 2mm shafts.
The 3mm OD tubing has a 2.1mm ID so I went with Super Glue Gel to help with the loose fit. Out of 6 conversions only one was out of balance.
The Mabuchi FK-280SA 14200 (14200 RPM) motors work very good as a direct replacement motor. Plenty of power.
If you don’t reuse the flywheels NWSL universals work very good in a Athearn BB.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I’ve worked on lots of Athearn BB locos, and I go with Mark’s post.
The better of the Athearn drives uses a hex head into the flywheel, and a “dog bone” connection to the worm gear.
It’s a one piece drive shaft, and not a spline type. The spline type drive usues the ball insert that Mark shows.
I’m not sure if the hex head/flywheel connection is a press in, or is part of the flywheel, and machined in.
Mike.
The female hex is machined right into the flywheel.
Mark.