Help: New to the Lionel Game - Shells/Restoration

[2343Guy]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the Lionel scene; I started collecting about 6 months ago.  I am focusing mainly on the Postwar scene at the moment and getting my hands on the F3 diesels that are desirable from that time. 

One of the units that I am looking for in my collection is the 2373.  I see that an original in C6 shape or above is far out of my price range at the moment (maybe one day I'll spend that type of money on one). 

My question to the community today is - how difficult is it to swap shells on units?  I can't find any YouTube tutorials or any sites detailing this process.  But from pictures it looks like a pretty straight forward process.  There's 4 screws that I have to worry about and they're relatively interchangeable.  Again, this is based on pictures and from what I can determine with what knowledge I've gained in the past 6 months. 

If someone would be nice enough to share their experience or any tips I would greatly appreciate it. 

[cwburfle]

A couple of issues with swapping F3 shells:

1 - finding the shells - they simply are not around

2 - often the chassis are painted to match the shell

3 - there can be differences in the components on the chassis from year to year.

Not certain where the four screws you mention are located.
Older F3 shells are held on by three screws, one at the nose, and two at the back
later F# shells are held on by one screw at the nose, and a spring clip in the back.

The screws have a thread that is not easily found today. Don't loose them.
Be careful not to cross-thread or overtighten.

 

 

[KRM]

They are out there.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Lionel+F3+shell&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l2632.R2.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=lionel+f3+shell&_sacat=180250

 

[cwburfle]

They are out there.

Yes, there are a few decent looking postwar F3 shells on EBay right now. The rest are junkers or Modern era.

Advice to 2343guy, and anybody else interested in buying shells:

Lionel has been "reissuing" classic Lionel trains (some people call them reproductions) with almost identical markings to the Postwar originals. Many sellers on Ebay have no qualms about listing these shells for sale under the original postwar numbers of the items they represent. That is fine if you know you are purchasing a modern era reissue. Not so fine if you thought you were buying genuine postwar.

 

[KRM]

The key word here seems to me to be collecting,,if that is what your doing then it has to be pure and get ready to buck-up the money. If you want to run trains then you can do what you want with what you have, So you said you started collecting about 6 months ago. So I agree with cwburfle, you better plan on getting out the cash for buying genuine postwar.

My money is on running and you can find great F-3s from Williams by Bachmann that are as nice or nicer as any of the newer stuff from Lionel and that run great and pull great. So you just got to do what you want to do.

 

 

[Penny Trains]

aboard!  Lionel trains are fun for the heart, a feast for the senses and excruciating on the wallet! 

[Firelock76]

If you want  a 2373 to have and to run that looks new without breaking the bank you can always go for one in marginal exterior condition and have it restored.  It can be done.

[2343Guy]

Thank-you for everyone that replied to this thread.  All of your comments are appreciated.

About what I am trying to do here: in my collecting I've acquired a 1954 2356 chasis with no shell.  I know that Len Carparelli makes shells and was hoping to purchase a 2373 shell and fix it to the working 2356 chasis. 

There's a local shop that does restoration and I am going to drop a few items off there within the next 2 weeks (backed up due to holiday season).  But this seemed relatively straight forward with the shell swapping.

[cwburfle]

I suggest you write or call Mr. Carparelli to get the straight dope from him. Here is his web site.

http://www.llmodeltrain.com/

He may or may not have shells to paint for you.

According to Tandem Associates, the 2356 has a horizontal motor, and the 2373 has a vertical motor. Just something to be aware of.

[rtraincollector]

By time you get Mr.Carparelli to repaint your going to spend over this I would bet. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lionel-PW-2373-Canadian-Pacific-F-3-A-A-Diesels-REPAINTED-1957-Great-Runner-/112186605355?hash=item1a1ed7bf2b:g:RBoAAOSwXeJYFQOE

And this has the right type motors

[Firelock76]

Well, one thing to keep in mind with "The Bay" and other internet sites, train shows and hobby shops that take trains on consignment too for that matter, is the owners of posted articles may be "fishing" for what kind of money they can get for said articles.

In the end, only the purchaser knows for sure how much they really want to spend or can afford.  I've walked away from quite a few tasty things in my time, and don't regret doing so.  Saves me from a lot of what's called "buyers remorse."

[2343Guy]

Thank-you for the replies so far everyone. I really do appreciate input from everyone.  This is what I am looking for in gaining knowledge from actual people; glad I found this board.

Anyway, I appreciate the link to the reproductions.  I am actually watching them already on eBay. 

I got the chasis from a guy selling a lot of stuff.  We made a deal for a lump sum and however you price the 2356 chasis it comes to like $25-50.  The value of bulk, bundled purchasing haha.  It's good shape.  The bulb lights up and it goes around the track with decent pull.  Could probably stand to be lubricated and that would make a difference. 

So two shells are just under $300.  Which has me around $325-350 like I stated previously.  If I get a dummy unit I'll try putting the reproduction shells on myself.  Like I stated previously I am taking a load to the local train shoppe to have a few units worked on: 2245, 2343, 2344.  All of the units work but some need some touch-up work done.  New silver on the 2343 (yellow is coming through), new grab bars for the 2245 (otherwise good condition), and the 2344 needs some mechanical work. 

If the shell process is as easy as people say I'll try it on my own and cut bait after the fact.  If it's easier than repairing smart phones (side job) I'll be fine.