Difficulty of E unit Replacement

[RAVL]

I am in the process of going through older locomotives.  One of them is an MPC era GP20.  After basic service (cleaning, re-lubrication, brush replacement, new traction tires, etc.) the locomotive runs well but the E unit is obnoxiously loud.  Locking it into forward quiets is obviously.  Now I know E units make a certain amount of buzz -- it's to be expected and in most instances I find it charming.  On this locomotive, it is grating.  I am thinking of swapping out the E as I am a little afraid of disassembling one of these and I have a few spares that certainly can't be any louder.  Question is whether this is a very difficult task or is it something I should farm out.  I am decent at soldering and basic service doesn't bother me.  I can also obviously follow the existing wiring.  I thought I would ask the question here before plunging in.  Thanks in advance.

[ADCX Rob]

It's one screw and some soldering - very easy. Have you considered other options to quiet down the existing reverse unit?

[sir james I]

What Rob said. Just do a couple wires at a time until all have been redone. E unit repair is ok the very tricky part is keeping everything in place so you can snap it back together.. Sometimes it goes easy, sometimes I walk away and go back after it later.

[RAVL]

ADCX Rob,

If you have suggestions as to how to quiet it down, then let me know.  I am not sure how to (I guess) "tighten" it so that there is less resonance from the current.  If there is a way to do this, I am willing to learn.  Thank you for your help.

[pullman jct]

I have installed a rectifier in several Lionel locomotives to quiet the E unit. There is usually room to stick the rectifier on the E unit with double sided tape. Works great!

 

[TRAINCAT]

There is a great video on youtube about rebuilding E units. Very helpful. Roger

[prrstation]

trainrat

There is a great video on youtube about rebuilding E units. Very helpful.

Roger

Roger,

It would be most convenient to everyone if you provided a "link" to the YouTube video than offered instruction of how to rebuild or perform maintenance on a Lionel E unit.

I've observed and rebuilt several Lionel E units.  It takes four or five hands to accomplish this feat !!!   :-))

Seriously, it CAN be done by a single person...  but it takes experience.

Good luck!!!

P.S.
Clean the brass on the rotary drum with a vintage typewriter eraser:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-DIXON-Rubacore-Brush-Eraser-Typewriter-Ink-NEW-/221663961148?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339c33a03c

This is also the approved method for cleaning Lionel pre and postwar commutators.   Dip the eraser in denatured alcohol or solvent to remove excessive carbon build up. Then, wipe clean with a cloth and use a "clean" eraser tip to make the three copper commutator segments bright and shiny.

Don't forget to use a q-tip (dipped in solvent or alcohol) to clean the brush cavity.  And do the same with the carbon brushes.  They must be totally removed of carbon deposits to function properly.

[TrainLarry]

Rebuilding e-units, part 1 and part 2.

This is the preferred spreading tool.

 

Larry