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Lionel 52 fire fighting car

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  • Member since
    December 2016
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Lionel 52 fire fighting car
Posted by trains2353 on Monday, April 3, 2017 9:44 AM

Picked up a basket case Lionel 52 fire car. Wires not connected. Anyone have access to a wiring diagram? Gotto start somewhere. TIA.

Bob

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Monday, April 3, 2017 10:17 AM

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by trains2353 on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 3:17 PM

Kev; thank you, that will work!

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 4:55 PM

Anytime I can help. Wink

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    December 2016
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Posted by trains2353 on Friday, April 7, 2017 9:35 AM

Connected the wires to where they belong. Oiled the wheels until they started to turn. Hummed but no go. Removed the top of the motor; took the brushes out. Appears oil was put in the holes in the brush holders. Thoroughly cleaned brushes and armature. Greased worm gear. Now it runs as it should. Will order missing parts from Jeff Kane. Pics when its done. 

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Posted by trains2353 on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 9:35 AM

Did anyone ever try to install the "missing" truck on a 520? It looks as it should have one, but was never put on at the factory.

Since the one I have is not a mint OE engine, I think it would look neat with some lighting. Anyone ever try that?

One more thing; I can't find any parts illustrations. Anyone know of any?

TIA;

Bob

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Posted by cwburfle on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 3:09 PM

Since the one I have is not a mint OE engine, I think it would look neat with some lighting. Anyone ever try that?

Yes, about 45 years ago.
Drilled 1/8 inch holes in all four dummy lights, painted the reflectors silver, and put a grain of wheat bulb in each one.

Regarding your fire car: I would not be surprized if your fire car started running poorly after a while.
In my experience, once a brush is contaminated with oil, it is ruined. Cleaning the brush seems to only remove surface oil. After a while, oil that is embedded deeper into the brush comes to the surface, and fouls it.
I always replace oily brushes.

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Posted by trains2353 on Friday, April 14, 2017 12:51 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll be replacing the brushes when I make my next parts order.

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    December 2016
  • 221 posts
Posted by trains2353 on Sunday, April 16, 2017 2:00 PM

Starting to reassemble. Got the sponge lamp holder, but no idea where it mounts. Mounts in the body somewhere near the red globe?

Got the wiring figured out(I assume the wiring has to be long enough for body removal).

Can't find pics anywhere.

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 221 posts
Posted by trains2353 on Monday, April 17, 2017 10:31 AM

It looks like if I take a 520 front truck and mount it where the dummy plastic coupler goes; it might work. Or a coupler off a 41, 51 or 56 motorized unit might work too. Worth a try.

"Did anyone ever try to install the "missing" truck on a 520? It looks as it should have one, but was never put on at the factory."

Since the one I have is not a mint OE engine, I think it would look neat with some lighting. Anyone ever try that?

One more thing; I can't find any parts illustrations. Anyone know of any?

TIA

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