Williams by Bachmann F-7's Big gap between the trucks and frame

[RRaddict]

I have purchased a set of WBB F-7's, I noticed the trucks have a lot larger gap between the trucks and the frame.  Is there anyone who knows how to reduce this gap? I was thinking that I can cut down the part of the motor where the trucks screw to the motor but I don't have the kind of skill to do that.  Is it possible to replace these motors with say a set of Lionel F-3 motors? Any sugestions would be appreciated.

Kev

[phillyreading]

Take the motors off the truck assemblies and look at them before you attemp any change. Compare the new motors to an older set of Willaiams motors if you have them. Don't have any idea as to what Bachmann did for their new engines. Lionel motors will not swap out with Williams, unless you do a major change-out procedure, may have to change frame assemblies over to Lionel and put the Williams shell on the Lionel frame with Lionel motors.

[phillyreading]

If this is a brand new engine, any change or modification instantly voids the warrenty! I would just live with it, unless the engine derails constantly. If it derails constantly, send it back to the factory and tell them why.

[RRaddict]

That is the last thing on my mind and I want to avoid at all costs.  I am trying to avaoid hacking up anything and just want to replace.  I do have some original Williams F-3's I can check and see if they would be compatible.  If they are is there a good source for Williams parts? What about the dummy A unit?

Kev

[phillyreading]

With the older Williams F-3's, the parts should be compatible. The only problem I had with doing, upgrading to a powered unit, a Crown Edition unpowered unit was in the step/ladders that screw into the truck assembly, had to drill the hole out, 1/64 of an inch larger. The new motor kit was from WBB. So I think that Bachmann has kept the Williams motor assemblies the same, at least for now.

[TRAINCAT]

If you have a williams f7 made in later years with the stamped steele frame, you can lower the body down over the frame and it looks nice. What you do is cut the body posts a little at a time until you get it where you want it. You also have to notch the top of the shell inside to clear the flywheels on the power unit.  I did mine this way and it looks as good as any F3 I have seen.

Roger

[RRaddict]

This is a great solution but I am an unskilled idiot when handling any sort of blade or file. If you have seen me with one of these things you would hide your children.  Taking a look though I can see this is where Williams is slacking off if you check the body post it looks as though they are even marked to be cut shorter.  I think this is especially the case since they are using original Willimas molds.  I compared these to some original Williams NH F-7 and the NH sit right and look much lower than the WBB F-7's.  I will check my local club for some one with a steady hand to cut these down but as for me I am an idiot when it comes to this sort of thing.

[TRAINCAT]

If they had used the flat flywheels like the F3 has you could simply cut to the marks as you said. The tough part is making a hollowed out place to clear the 2 flywheels. You go too far and your roof has a hole in it. It takes a LOT of trial and fit.

Before and after-

 

Roger

[RRaddict]

They look great, I have never seen WP F-7's.  I didn't think about flywheel clearance that is good to know.

[phillyreading]

I have been running Williams for close to 12 years and this is the first time I have heard of such a problem with an engine as being too high with the truck and shell clearance. In the past, Williams(before Bachmann buyout)has always had good quality products.

[TRAINCAT]

All the later F7's I have seen have the huge gap. The F3's do not.

Roger

[phillyreading]

I am glad I purchased a couple of the older F-7 ABA combo's by Williams, and not WBB. All my Williams stuff is pre-Bachmann so far except for a pair of motors in one F-7 unit.

[RRaddict]

I too prefer the original Williams F-7's too but they all have plastic pilots that are not durable but can easily be replaced with the newer ones. As far as runners I cannot tell the difference between them.  They are all work horses as far as I'm concerned they make great locomotives.

Kev