I am in the stages of repairing several Lionel 627 from I think 1957. The cabs are red. They are 027. The motors seem to be locking up when they are on the tracks, they just buzz. I am new to this and have renewed my interest. The armature is moving up and down in its housing when the wheels are moved manually. The book I have is not very good on repairing these engines. I see that there are thrust washers in some drawing and some don't show the washers. I am pretty much lost. Any help would be appreciated. Where do I find a good book on repair, or even what site. Also what is the difference between DC and AC motors?
Freddie
Your locomotives have what are called "universal" motors. These have a wound field wired in series with the armature. They will run on AC or DC. They have "3-position" e-units for reversing. The e-unit reverses the connection of the armature to reverse the motor. The usual wiring is pickup to e-unit red wire; one end of the field winding to the frame, the other to the e-unit green wire; brushes to e-unit yellow and blue (or maybe two yellow) wires.
A little end play in the motor is normal and desirable, but only a little. The armature should be free to turn at either extreme.
Is the buzzing coming from the motor itself or from the e-unit? E-unit buzzing is normal, but the e-unit should step, rotating its drum 1/8 of a turn each time you turn on the voltage. Perhaps there is a break in the wiring between the e-unit and the motor.
Bob Nelson
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