Lionel milk car spring ?

[wyomingscout]

Thanks, cwburfle; that's what I was wondering about.  The mechanisms look similar except for that post height.  Thought maybe the spring would fit on the shorter, newer mechanism post.

It's a good thing I'm not a collector, but  I keep tweeking the mechanism & the results are improving.   Somehow creating a Milk Run is no 'milk run'.

wyomingscout

[cwburfle]

I just bought a couple Post War models & now I have three total.  My question is which spring gives the better action: the conical 3472-21 or the older 3462-84?  How about using both at the same time?

I guess I should have responded to your original question first.
I don't think you will be able to install the 3462-84 spring on a 3472 mechanism because the stud on the later mechanism probably isn't tall enough to allow room for the spring.

[wyomingscout]

Yeah, I've used unleaded gasoline & QD - a WD-40 like product that is quick drying and made for electrical parts.  I did, however, put a little machine oil on the pivot points of the mechanism.

The main problem seems to be getting the mechanical parts lined up just right.  Trying to release the friction between the platform slide and the base & chute assembly is  tricky: lift the lip of the chute assembly too high & the milk cans can't get out.  Not high enough & the platform slide hangs up.

I've ordered new springs, thinking that would help pull the slide back even though there might be some friction with the platform.  I have both the older & newer mechanism but it looks like you could use either spring in either assembly.  I was wondering if anyone had tried that.

wyomingscout

[cwburfle]

As I recently posted on another milk car thread, I find that Lionel milk cars work best when they are carefully cleaned to remove all old deposits of dirt, grease, and oil. I generally use mineral spirits, and do not apply any lubricants afterwards.

[wyomingscout]

I just bought a couple Post War models & now I have three total.  My question is which spring gives the better action: the conical 3472-21 or the older 3462-84?  How about using both at the same time?

I've cleaned the mechanisms, but sometimes the action doesn't return the milk man back inside as nicely as it should.  The older, flat spring seems to be better, but maybe that's just a result of some other factors.

wyomingscout