First off thank you for all your American Flyer tips on the several topics I have posted. Flyer is the second frontier for me after postwar Lionel and the forum has been quite useful. I've learned a lot!
American Flyer motor brushes...I'm looking for a good source for the Flyer brushes for the diesel engines, brushes that are mounted on their own leaf spring. Specifically, the brushes (in this case for a Flyer 371) that are square, mounted on a copper leaf, left/right paired, and concave to meet the armature drum. Some parts dealers look at me like I have two heads and I have no idea why. This is common Flyer territory, right?
Are all those left/right paired brushes for the diesels and GP7s the same part? I don't have other diesels myself to compare, but in the K-line repair book sometimes different diesels list different numbers for these pairs of same-looking motor brushes; all these Flyer diesel motors look about the same design and dimensions to me.
I also really need a pair of brushes for the 314AW whistle tender I'm working on; mounted on a leaf too, but the originals are round not square like in the 371.
On some dealer sites I see these 314AW whistle tender brushes as "not available."
Where to buy these?
Well thanks again!
Did you try an American Flyer parts dealer?Most of the parts dealers with which I am familar either sell Lionel or American Flyer parts, not both.
Try this guy:
http://www.rfgco.com/catalog/index.html
Here are a couple of options from him:
KDE17 MOTOR TUNE-UP KIT for ALCO & GP-7 Kit contains 2 Brush & Holder, 2 Springs, Cleaner, Applicator & Instructions 17.99KDE65A MOTOR TUNE-UP KIT for Baldwin Kit contains 2 Brush & Holder, 2 Springs, Cleaner, Applicator & Instructions 18.99
Go to port lines hobbies. They will have both of the brushes you want and you will receive them quickly.
Jim
Mr. S. First off thank you for all your American Flyer tips on the several topics I have posted. Flyer is the second frontier for me after postwar Lionel and the forum has been quite useful. I've learned a lot! American Flyer motor brushes...I'm looking for a good source for the Flyer brushes for the diesel engines, brushes that are mounted on their own leaf spring. Specifically, the brushes (in this case for a Flyer 371) that are square, mounted on a copper leaf, left/right paired, and concave to meet the armature drum. Some parts dealers look at me like I have two heads and I have no idea why. This is common Flyer territory, right? Are all those left/right paired brushes for the diesels and GP7s the same part? I don't have other diesels myself to compare, but in the K-line repair book sometimes different diesels list different numbers for these pairs of same-looking motor brushes; all these Flyer diesel motors look about the same design and dimensions to me. I also really need a pair of brushes for the 314AW whistle tender I'm working on; mounted on a leaf too, but the originals are round not square like in the 371. On some dealer sites I see these 314AW whistle tender brushes as "not available." Where to buy these? Well thanks again!
In my recent experience, the brushes on the American Flyer diesel unit are part of a complicated assembly process. To get at them, you have to remove a whole bunch of parts including a pair of springs and a plastic plate that holds the brushes in position. The brushes are mounted on copper "fingers" as I call them. Be careful not to break the the plastic plate that holds the brushes. The cutouts in this plastic plate are very near the edges and can easily break. When I first pulled my diesel out of storage, I was forced to recall how my father had tied kite string around the entire motor assembly to hold the brushes in place since the plastic plate had broken open. I wound up ordering not only new brushes but also the plastic plate. In my opinion, the design of the brush assembly on the diesel is flawed.
Rich
Alton Junction
Sturgeon-Phish Go to port lines hobbies. They will have both of the brushes you want and you will receive them quickly. Jim
In my experience, Portlines is quicker than RFG, a lot quicker, but check the calendar posted on Portlines web site. They are closed for relatively long stretches from time to time while attending trade shows.
Hello,
Yes I'm well aware of that brush/brush finger/spring/plate assembly. They couldn't design something better than that? Geez.
Trust me I've said to myself a couple of times once these engines were cleaned and tuned up I don't want to go back in...unlike Lionels which are tons easier to work on. That's why I want the new brushes and fingers.
Thanks for the heads up on the source for Flyer brushes. That kit seems really expensive for just two brushes and springs but that must be the way it is, I've seen those kits before and hoped to find cheaper...
...I also marveled at the miniature size of the S-I-T brushes, which are almost like little pencil leads!
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