Trains.com

Lionel Santa Fe F3 2343 Operating Issues

2884 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 58 posts
Lionel Santa Fe F3 2343 Operating Issues
Posted by Dampfmann on Friday, December 28, 2018 3:13 PM

Hello,

 

I am trying to debug some issues with a Lionel F3 2343 with horizontal Pullmor motors and Magnetraction.

 

When I received the unit, it wouldn't run at all so I throughly cleaned out all the old grease and cleaned the motors, commutators, brushes, etc.  I also replaced the main wire from the pick-up rollers.

The unit now runs, but I am having several issues:

 

1. Rather than "roaring," the motors have a higher pitch whine.  This begs the question: How much grease should I use?  Should the gear boxes be packed with grease?

 

2. The motors will not run when the two motor mounting screws are completely tightened.  If I back out the screws a bit and allow some play in the motors, they will run.  This doesn't seem like a longterm solution.

 

3. I think there is too much play - fore and aft - in the worm shaft assembly.    With the trucks disconnected from the motors, the gears will lock when pushing the truck forward and back.  When the motors are attached, I have the problem detailed in point 2.

 

Please share some troubleshooting ideas and I will give them a try.  If I need to purchase any new parts, please offer a suggestion.  I have bought from Olsen's in the past, but their website doesn't load.  Perhaps they are no longer in business.

 

Thanks,

 

Marty

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, December 28, 2018 3:48 PM

Olsens site comes and goes, nobody really knows whats going on there. I use Jeff Kane at the traintender. Jeff@ttender.com www.ttender.com is the website. It also has a phone number which is the best way to talk with him. He is super knowledgeable with Post war as he use to run a repair shop. 

As for your other questions I'm not sure.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,233 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, December 28, 2018 9:03 PM

Dampfmann
... I throughly cleaned out all the old grease and cleaned the motors, commutators, brushes, etc.



Did you do the worm shafts and worm gears in the trucks as well?

Rob

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 58 posts
Posted by Dampfmann on Friday, December 28, 2018 9:14 PM

ADCX Rob

 

Sure did! 
Dampfmann
... I throughly cleaned out all the old grease and cleaned the motors, commutators, brushes, etc.

 



Did you do the worm shafts and worm gears in the trucks as well?

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,233 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Friday, December 28, 2018 10:34 PM

Dampfmann
Sure did!



Are you aware those bearing blocks for the longitudinal worm gear shaft in the trucks only go in one way... it's easy to flip them over(or even just one in each truck) inadvertently causing the shafts to bind and the motors not to seat properly...

Rob

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 58 posts
Posted by Dampfmann on Saturday, December 29, 2018 8:45 AM

ADCX Rob,

I am aware the bearings are not symmetrical; however, the diagrams in Greenberg's do not show which way to orient the bearings.  Does the face with the bevel point up or down (towards rail)?

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Hopewell, NY
  • 3,233 posts
Posted by ADCX Rob on Saturday, December 29, 2018 3:43 PM

The notched corners will be on top.

Rob

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 58 posts
Posted by Dampfmann on Sunday, December 30, 2018 9:01 AM

Update:

I made sure the work gear shaft bearings were oriented in the correct position.  I also thoroughly greased the worm gear assembly.  I put everything back together, tightened the motors to the trucks, and voila, everything runs great!  Thanks for those who chimed in with helpful information.  Happy New Year!

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • 199 posts
Posted by Roger Carp on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 10:17 AM

HI,

 

Please contact me at Classic Toy Trains for advice that will help you.

 

Happy New Year,

Roger Carp
Senior editor
Classic Toy Trains
262-796-8776 ext. 253

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month