New to this forum, so I’ll say I am into Lionel only as nostalgia. And I just got a US Army Transportation Corps Gas Turbine Switcher 41 [so’s folks can search!]
I am pleased with my acquisition as it was the only Lionel engine I ever had. It has one cracked window strut and a tiny pie-slice of the rear platform from one of the four shell mounting screws.
The engine won’t run as the bronze gear off the worm is stripped. I bought it because I am a fix-it guy and the gear was included with the switcher!
I have spent the evening analyzing how I am to get it replaced. I will clean out all the metal speckles.
So far I have removed the non-geared wheel on the axle. Judicious prying with a handy little screwdriver then two larger flat bladed ones on opposite sides lifted it without bending. The shaft has ‘splines’ to go into the driver center. I know I must line it up upon reassembly to not have it bind.
Patient, I can go .001" or less per pry. Time spent here is better than ruining it! -Not the preferred method, but I ‘Googled’ for gear pullers and nothing seemed likely to help. I pause and reflect now to decide how I will pu***he stepped axle shaft (about 1/8" at the end) The gear has a 3/16" hole. I wish I had a drill press!
- Anybody have similar [successful] experience here? I don’t want to mushroom the end of the axle. Complication: there seems to be a pressed tubular bearing in the casting, That will make it interesting! - Ben
I am taking photos of the progress. Got the SHAFT…out… with care!
I’ve cleaned the metal chips and old grease out. What is holding me up now is the following:
Who knows the best grease to put on the worm and gear? The motor must be removed to get at it for a thorough servicing. A white nylon notor bearing is captive just above the new gear and it is not something I want to remove again soon. I won’t be operating this much after testing. It will be a good feeling to know it’s been mechanically restored.
-Ben
Hi
Welcome to the Forum!!
The best grease for plastic is the silicone grease.
some plastic are sensitive to petroleum base oil this is the problem.
Andre.
I have LaBelle 106 silicon grease with Teflon, and oils 107, 108.
Glad to find them. Thanks for your reply.
Ben
Before I reassemble the No. 41 switcher, the frame is not square.
I did not think my driving the axle out would cause this. I wondered if it would cause a different deformation.
I have had to straighten Athearn HO diesel frames before, as they frequently came warped from the factory.
And it’s not warped in any way I can figure I caused it. I also remember thinking the E-Unit was at an odd angle before I started. Now I see it is because of the twist.
In any case, I have to somehow get it all squared up before reassembly. I must do this easily so the frame does not break. Will post progress here.
If when this is all done someone wants pics of this whole procedure, send me a message with their email so I can upload the pics in one shot.
Ben