I have upgraded an older F-7 unpowered diesel unit to power, the upgrade is rather simple. You remove the wheel sets from the unpowered unit and install the new wheelsets, and re-install the front and rear couplers to the powered wheelsets. On the kit I got there was NO lock-out feature for direction control. Should take about 45 minutes to an hour for the upgrade kit to be installed.
With the F-7 I had to drill the hole larger in the step plate for the cab's side steps, but you may not need this step as you will be doing a current model to current model upgrade.
The powered Williams engine will most likely damage your Lionel GP-7! I recomend buying a second powered Williams GP-9 or GP-7. Williams has all metal gears and I can not say that your Lionel GP-7 has the same, Lionel probally has plastic gears.
Lee F.
Has anyone upgraded a Williams #21527 non-powered GP9 to a powered unit? (There are Williams upgrade kits available on the internet for roughly $100.) If so, how long did it take? Are any special tools (besides the typical hand tools) required?
Finally, once powered, how does a Williams unit pull when coupled with a Lionel unit? I'm considering using a Williams GP9 with a Lionel GP7, which appears to be a lighter (weight) locomotive.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
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