The detail on how to Lubricate a Post War F3

[Anonymous]

I bought a NYC F3 (circa 1952 - with dual horizontally mounted motors) at an estate sale. I am in the process of getting it cleaned up. I have the Lionel service manual (published by K-Line) It plainly describes and shows the oil and lubrication points, but is vague on how to lub the motors. I am using an MTH service kit, with oil and grease tubes. I have greased the drive gears, but I'm unsure on what to do with the factory greased resevoir on the top of the motor. I would appreciate some help on what to use and how to pack it in the resevoir. Thanks.

[ben10ben]

I just put a few drops of oil down the hole.

I usually have the best luck with them, though, by removing the various races of ball bearings, degreasing them, and then lubricating them well. That gets lubricant into places that simple oiling can not reach, and greatly improves motor performance.

[wrmcclellan]

ameyrow,

Oops, huge mistake. I saw horizontal and thought vertical. As Ben says, there is an oil hole on top of the gear case right next to the motor. This lubricates both bearings on that side of the motor and this hole is where the light oil goes. The lower idler gear bearing can be lubricated with a drop of oil just behind the gear when the motor is removed from the loco.

Regards,
Roy

[wrmcclellan]

Ben,

A question as I do not want to disassemble mine just to look. Don't you have to press the gear off the shaft to remove the armature to get to the bearings?

Regards,
Roy

[ben10ben]

That's true.

I'm thinking of the 671/681/726/736, which uses basically the same motor, except it has a worm gear at the end of the armature shaft. The worm gear will easily fit through the bearing, but the spur gear won't.

Sorry for the confusion.

[wrmcclellan]

Thanks Ben,

Yes, the nice C-clip on the 671 makes life a bit easier.

Regards,
Roy

[daan]

Look at http://communities.zeelandnet.nl/data/lionel or klick on my website icon. Then see "motoronderhoud" and it has a detailled description with photo's on how to dismantle and lubricate an F3 with horizontal engine.
For good lubrication you need to get the motors off, because the worm gears are under them. Don't use oil, but grease (Lithium grease) to lubricate the worms and gears.
Oil can be used for the axle bearings and the bearings of the gearaxles.
If you have it dismatled, clean the collector discs on the motors as well. Remove dirt with those things you can clean your ears with (don't know the name of them), first with a contact cleaner, then with a dry one, and use a toothpick to remove the black stuff between the contacts on the discs. Be carefull not to hit the wires attached to them.
Let it dry before running.
It's not that difficult and the dismental is easy. (so is putting it back together.)

[lionelsoni]

Daan, they're Q-tips. Would you believe that they have their own web site? http://www.qtips.com/

The "collector disc" is the commutator.

[ChiefEagles]

Guys, I try using synthetic greese and oil. Just like my vehicles, yard tractor and boat motors, synthetic is slicker. Less heat and less wear. I also find that it takes less to make a big difference. On wheels on cars and engines, I use a synthetic, Slick 50 One Lube [hard to find]. A tiny drop will do. Will make cars fly across the track. Also Lebell makes a synthetic lube for gears.

[ben10ben]

Perhaps I'm a bit too traditional, but I've always used Vaseline on the gears of my postwar engines. That's what the instructions and service manuals say, and to me it works just as well as the more expensive stuff, and is cheaper.

I'll also use 3-in-1 oil in a pinch on my postwar engines, but generally use LaBelle.

I wouldn't suggest the use of either Vaseline or 3-in-1 oil on any modern engine, though. Both basic hydrocarbons that can be pretty hard on some plastics, which are very prevalent in modern day trains.

[daan]

Ben, as long as you've metal gears,it's ok to use vaseline..
Emagine, I learned the american word for earscoop's on a trainforum!! Q-tips..
thanks Lionelsoni..

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your replies. They're very helpful.