I wrote some time back about having a Scout to service for a friend at work. I have gotten the needed traction tire for this unit and finally taken the motor out of the shell. I can see no signs of any lubricant anywhere. The reversing mechanism works about once in 15 tries after a little rapping. If this were a Marx unit I'd hose things down with WD40 and proceed. I'm not so sure about this approach with the Scout though! The Lionel repair manual I have has some nice cut away views but no real recommendation about lubricating. I imagine those came with the original paper work? I also have this wick staring at me! Any good rules of thumb I could beg here? I am thinking I might need to replace those contacts located under the brush cover plate if lubing doesn't help. Thanks for your time.
Jim
Jim,
I have a 235 scout that I replaced the motor on because the original was too difficult to repair, if it is like the 235 be EXTREMELY careful when taking the brush housing off. If I remember correctly the housing has two flat head screws that hold it in place and is very difficult to put back together correctly. The teeth on what look like gears have to match or the reverse unit don't work. The roller wheels underneath take a lot of skill & patiance to replace.
The 239 might be differant I don't know for sure.
As for lubing all gears that have teeth need to be lubed with a light weight oil(DO NOT USE WD40!). Labell # 107 oil would be better or 3-in-1 oil. Any place that an axle goes thru needs lube too, even the front wheel set on the loco. A little oil on the felt piece would help too.
Lee F.
Lee,
Thanks for the info. I have lightly lubed all rotating axles. What appears to be happening is this:
Engine will start say in forward and run. When stopped and the reversing lever is lifted the brush holder drums sometimes turn and sometimes do not. Often things seem to just be struck in a neutral position. Repeated lifting of the reversing lever does nothing. You have to put the motor on its side or tip it and then that pawl arm seems to free up and the drums will turn or if all else fails gently turn the brush holder drum. Once or twice when running the unit did automatically reverse when going over a switch. The first problem would seem to point to a weak pawl spring but the second points to an overly strong spring according to the repair manual. I will speak to the owner and see what she wants. I think I could replace the brush holder drums, put in new brushes, and the contact arms riding on those drums. I will be practicing holding my tongue in just the right position to get this accomplished. If these repairs don't work, I will back off. I don't want to try replacing that pawl spring.... no thanks.
It sounds like the pawl spring or pawl arm may be bad due to age and not getting lubed regular. If it is like the 235 the pawl arms(the part with what looks like a gear tooth) must match up correctly or it will give you problems. As for automatic reversing-try the brush spring tension.
The owner is interested in replacing the motor. Is there a good, better, or best place for obtaning such a unit? You could e-mail me if needed. Thanks.
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