I have a Lionel Type V transformer that needs a bit of work. Would you have answers to the following questions:
What is the best way to clean the corrosion from the lamp sockets?
The B & C terminal connections are severed inside of the case, do I need to replace the binding post or may I solder to what remains of the connection?
Two of the lower case screw holes (that connect the base plate) are broken, any recommendations on how to fix?
What would you recommend to clean the name plate exterior of case to remove rust and grime, without damaging the paint and finish?
How do you replace the carbon roller on the gear assembly, without harming the housing?
What is the best way to clean the contact areas (coils)?
welcome to the site! more will reply with further good advice.
as far as the lamp sockets, I’d take the case apart, which you’ll be doing anyway. I use a worn scothcbrite pad, and work the rust off.
After you get the case apart, there might be enough of the broken screws sticking out to get some small Vise Grips on. If not, you might have to drill te screws out. I’d stay awayfrom using easy outs, my experence is usually they break, and they are a pain to get out.
you binding posts may just need the wires resolderd to them.
Navel Jelly or chrome polish should take care of the name plate.
I went through my V about a year ago, and here is what I learned that applies to your situation:
I wouldn’t necessarily assume the lamp socket won’t work with the corrosion. Try a bulb and see if it works OK.
You can buy replacement binding posts that have a nut on the inside. Trying to solder the old one back together will not work very well because the old one is really a rivet and if you just solder it back together, it will turn when you try to tighten the nut.
I fix the screw holes in the plastic engines by drilling them deeper and tapping them with an appropriate size tap (4-40, 6-32, 8-32). The machine screws will not break the plastic. I don’t remember if you have enough depth to do this, but it works well if you can drill the hole deeper.
35 years ago, I replaced the carbon rollers with ones I had made because the local Lionel dealer would not sell me parts. Now you can buy replacement rollers and rivets. I recommend soldering the rivet in place bacause that makes a better connection than the rivet. It also doesn’t risk breaking the roller.
I cleaned the contact area with a wire wheel in a Dremel tool. Just don’t get to energetic. It doesn’t have to shine like a new penny to work OK. I also wiped it down with WD-40 to clean all the junk off of it.
I recommend you lube the shafts for the knobs so they turn more easily.
I have done on Type V and two KWs recently, and all three are working well.
I replace a terminal with a plain 8-32 screw with its head inside the box, a ring lug under the head, and a nut on the outside.
You say the “screw holes…are broken”. If you mean that the holes in the bakelite are stripped, My cure is to drill the stripped hole as necessary and tap it about 1/2-inch deep for a piece of a 5/16-18 brass screw, itself drilled and tapped for the original 10-24 screw, with a screwdriver slot sawn in the end so that I can screw it in flush with the bakelite.
Thanks for the reply. With regard to the broken screw hole, the issue is that the plastic casing that receives the screw has broken away so that now, there is only half the screw hole. The effect is that there is noway for the screw to bind and hold draw the base plate to the bottom case. Two of the screw holes are broken and I am afraid that the others will break if I don’t come up with a fix. I am trying to get the unit to as near original condition as possible so would prefer not to employ the duct tape solution.
Would you also recommend the naval jelly or chrome polish for cleaning / removing rust from the case? Do you treat the name plate and case with anything after cleaning with the naval jelly or chrome polish?
If the terminal is broken on the inside of the case, the terminal should just pull out from the outside. Let me know exactly where yours is broken, and I can give you better advice.