Wiring Q and orig screws don't fit replacement motor? Lionel 4-4-2 (8616 model)

[Brutus]

Hey, I have 2 questions:

1. Does it matter which side is black and which side is red on the motor? If so, how can you tell which is which, should there be a mark on it?

2. The screws that held the motor to the gear assembly (and really to the entire engine structure) don't fit the new motor? This is the 8616 model of this locomotive, but from the diagrams and parts list from Lionel, Jeff sent the right motor. Any idea what size the correct screws are for this replacement motor? I'd rather find locally than order from Traintender, since it would be $4 for s/h. It looks like the holes on the new motor are a little bigger than the old one.

Jim Fortner

[Jumijo]

Jim, I've seen motors held down to a frame with nothing more than zip ties. Lowes has a great selection of small screws and other fasteners. Try them.

Jim 

[phillyreading]

Try looking for screws at a local hardware store like Ace Hardware as you get more helpful people than at Lowes or H.D.   Also Lowes or H.D. sell mainly the popular sizes of screws and nails.

Lee F.

[wrmcclellan]

Jim,

 The wire colors to the motor will determine which direction the loco runs when first powered up. Unfortunately you will have to guess. If the loco powers up and runs forward, then you guessed correctly. If it runs backwards on first powerup - then you need to reverse the wires.

As the other guys have said, a local hardware store should be able to help. The screws are likely 4-40 (they are on my 4-4-0 for the original motor). If the holes are a little bigger, they could be 6-32 or metric (M2.5 or M3?)

[Brutus]

Hi guys and thanks!  I stopped at a new LHS and he tried some diff screws and said it's somewhere between 2.5 and 3 mm size?  So, my guess is that it's not metric at all - extrapolating from my years of experience with my socket set trying to match old bolts and stuff.  I'll stop at ACE tomorrow on the way home.  I'm going to mark the motor before I solder it back in (I removed it to take to the LHS) so that I'll be able to keep track of the wiring if I need to swap it - hate to do it over and then find out I did it wrong twice!

[lionelsoni]

A number-4 screw has a diameter of .112 inches or 2.8448 millimeters.  Threads are usually 40/inch; but Lionel did use some 4-36 screws.