238E lionel steamer help Please!!!!

[Anonymous]

can anyone please help me with a 238E lionel steamer. I have a shell and am trying to find the motor that will fit. Can anyone help me with any part number for the motor or give me any info on what type of motor will fit?.. i cant believe that it is a motor made for only this engine ?.... lionel must have put the same motor into another engine of prewar status. Any info will help, or better yet if some one has a motor from this engine please contact me for a posible sale.
Thanks
richardsushi
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

I did go through this before.I am no pro but I took a motor from a 249e drilled and tapped the top support post on the motor its self to mount the screw on top the shell.Then reversed the wheels back to front so the cpin or post on the wheels was in the front for the linkage.The wheels may have came off a 259.If you dont have a lot of parts around it could be costly.Take your time it will be well worth it in the end.The 238e will pull 5 800 cars,no problem.

[Anonymous]

The previous post was fairly correct. With minor modifications a 249e motor will fit. As will the motors from several similar engines 261e, 262e. As he said the 238e is a strong, and beautiful locomotive. I am not sure about the wheels. I believe the front drivers will need to have crank pins. I will check on this and get back to you. Olsens train parts has exploded diagrams available. I would highly recommend visiting their website. They will also have the parts you will need, maybe even a motor. I learned from experience take your time and do it right, wait for the correct parts. Check ebay for a motor. Good luck and happy holidays.

[Anonymous]

When I posted the first message maybe I left out some info. The reason I suggested the 249e engine was because they usally have the same black solid spokes wheels that came on the 238e. They also have the double reduction gears which have the most pulling power. The crank pins are there for the linkage on the wheels. The crank pins need to be on the front wheels. I had a 249e with no wheels, instead of buying new wheels with cranks, I bought a blew out 259e for parts and got wheels plus parts. Thanks for your info and response - Happy Holidays to all and to all a Good Night!!
Steve Prysok