Kato motor to Athearn

[Anonymous]

I found in a box of junk a Kato drive mechanism. If I remember right it was a SWsomething. Has anyone ever put a Kato motor in an Athearn loco. This is what I want to do it since I have an Athearn that has a bad motor in it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

I don't know how involved that project would be or if it would have much chance of success. I recently replaced the motor in an Athearn SD40-2 with a new Athearn motor that cost $12.50 at the local hobby shop. And, of course, it fit with no trouble because it's an Athearn motor going in an Athearn loco. An inexpensive fix.

Ed

[cacole]

I have replaced motors in a couple of Kato locomotives, and I don't think one could be used in an Athearn simply because the Kato motor drive shaft is a smaller diameter than those used by Athearn, so the Athearn drive shaft would not fit on the Kato motor, and the Kato drive mechanism would probably not mate up with the Athearn universal joints.

[nfmisso]

It is not difficutl to do, but it is going to run some $$. You will need to get some NWSL driveline parts to go between the Kato motor and the Athearn trucks. And the result will NOT as good as a Kato due to the weak line in the Athearn drivetrain is the slop in the trucks. You would be better off adapting the Athearn body to the Kato chassis.

[Anonymous]

All makes sense thanks people. The only problem is that Athearn parts have become almost impossible to find here. I'll keep looking though.


Thanks,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Not knowing much about Athern products I can't say if they are worth the time and money to remotor. That said, if you decide to take on the task I'd suggest you go with Northwest Short Line parts. www.NWSL.com If you have a technical question send them an email.

Randy

[AntonioFP45]

Jubylife,[:)]

Have you considered an "A-LIne" kit? The Mashima motor drops right into Athearn chassis with little work. Go to www.ppw-aline.com
You can order from them.

Regardless of your budget, check them out anyway! You can get entire kits or just individual components. I've heard it many times before that once you try a Mashima motor, you never want an Athearn motor again! [;)][8D][^]

PPW sells "polished up" Athearn trucks, but you'll find that if you try the "Pearl Drops" tooth polish cleaning method, Athearns will run much quieter. A good friend of mine demonstrated this to me with a 25 year old Athearn GP9! [:0][:p]

After I finish "Paint-Metalizing" my Rivorossi passenger cars, I intend to re-power an Athearn FP45, an SD9 and two U-33Bs. I'm not rich, so I'm doing one unit at a time like most modelers do.

Hope this helps, Amigo![^][:D][:)][8)][;)][swg][tup]