One thing that seems to be common when servicing an SIB American Flyer steamer is that the gear that drives the smoke unit piston is somewhat tight on its stud. This is caused by old grease gumming up between the inside of the gear and surface of the stud. This will result in an increased load on the motor as well as poor puffing. Here is how I fix this:
1. Remove the armature so that the gear can be rotated by hand.
2. Apply a drop of Zippo lighter fluid to the gear and stud just as you would with oil.
3. Spin the gear in both directions several times. It should spin much more freely now.
4. Allow the lighter fluid to evaporate then oil the gear and stud with a light oil.
The proper fix would be to drive out the stud and clean it and the inside of the gear. My method is just as effective and it is much easier.
If you don't have any Zippo lighter fluid, WD-40 works too,
green97probe One thing that seems to be common when servicing an SIB American Flyer steamer is that the gear that drives the smoke unit piston is somewhat tight on its stud.
One thing that seems to be common when servicing an SIB American Flyer steamer is that the gear that drives the smoke unit piston is somewhat tight on its stud.
Jim,
I am going to show my ignorance here. What does SIB stand for?
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich,
SIB stands for Smoke In Boiler, and is a term that is often used to describe steamers built from 1948 on. SIT stands for Smoke In Tender and is used when referring to steamers built in 1946-47.
The SIT (Smoke in Tender) were neat because they had a seperate smoke unit and motor in the tender that allowed the loco to sit idle and smoke as opposed to the SIB (Smoke in Boiler) that if the Loco were not moving the gear driven piston would not push the air (smoke) through the smoke unit. Some earlier 4 pin units compleatly de-energized the SIB smoke unit in neutral, but those with the fifth wire kept the headlight on and current to the smoke unit.
There were two different versions of the SIT smokers. the Early version was a bellows type unit and later versions were piston driven. The bellows were prone to failure on the early units and were subsequently redesigned and some retrofitted.
A quick way to tell from pictures if you have a SIT is there be a tube connecting the tender to the loco for the smoke to travel through.
Jim
green97probe Rich, SIB stands for Smoke In Boiler, and is a term that is often used to describe steamers built from 1948 on. SIT stands for Smoke In Tender and is used when referring to steamers built in 1946-47.
Thanks for educating me on that one. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what SIB stood for.
Now that I know, I have an SIB steam engine, AF #312.
Sturgeon-Phish The SIT (Smoke in Tender) were neat because they had a seperate smoke unit and motor in the tender that allowed the loco to sit idle and smoke as opposed to the SIB (Smoke in Boiler) that if the Loco were not moving the gear driven piston would not push the air (smoke) through the smoke unit. Some earlier 4 pin units compleatly de-energized the SIB smoke unit in neutral, but those with the fifth wire kept the headlight on and current to the smoke unit. There were two different versions of the SIT smokers. the Early version was a bellows type unit and later versions were piston driven. The bellows were prone to failure on the early units and were subsequently redesigned and some retrofitted. A quick way to tell from pictures if you have a SIT is there be a tube connecting the tender to the loco for the smoke to travel through. Jim
I agree that the SIT steam engine was neat, permitting smoke while the engine idles.
On my steam engine, an American Flyer #312, it is a SIB, piston type, 4 wire setup. So, it only smokes while running.
Incidentally, after 40+ years, I ran the engine for the first time with help and advice from you in getting in going, and, incredibly, smoke came out the stack and the coil was glowing. I didn't run it long though until I can get some smoke fluid. Afraid I would ruin the old wick and coil.
Take some smoke fluid and add about 8 drops to the smoke unit and let it set overnight. Add a few more drops and let it set overnight. Turn the loco upside down with the stack being the lowest point to allow excess smoke fluid drain out.
This will re-saturate the wick. Run the train and when the smoke slacks off add a few drops frequently rather than a lot all at once.
The 312 came in a SIT and SIB version.
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