i picked up an HO Stewart / Kato drive F3. It came with the old horn hook couplers and I want to change them over KD5 couplers. The coupler pockets seem ver oversize and there is an large clip to hold it all together, so the KD5 coupler is very sloppy.
Is there a way to get the KD 5 couplers to work in these pockets or is the only solution to install a whole new draft gear box.
I appreciate any suggestions.
Kadee #450 is a replacement bracket for mounting Kadee couplers in Stewart F3's, F7's, and F9's.
Search the internet for "Kadee 450".
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Garry is correct. You want the Kadee #450 conversion kit. The clips can be a bit tight to install in the Stewart chassis slots. I remember having to trim mine slightly with a #11 X-acto blade in order for them to snap in place.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Another thing is the #450 gives a closer coupling between the A and B units, looks a lot better. Still too far to be strictly prototypical but unless you have all 36" or bigger radius curves, (or some large radius - let's just say if they were a prototypical distance apart I doubt they would take an 18" radius curve) but it looks a LOT better with the 450 conversion
Note they recommend using the #30 box with the #5 coupler in the 450 for the older F3/F7. NOT a regular #5 in the standard coupler box. I've got a few of these locos - it works great as Kadee recommends.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I just bought 3 nos F3's and was able to use the standard #158 whisker coupler and coupler boxes as a drop in replacement for the horn hook although the boxes are a bit tight. i had no trouble installing the Kato retaining clip.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions on how to fix this, I have ordered the 450 kit.
The #450 kit is best for the back end of the A units and both ends of the B units. I found it unnecessary to use the #450 in the front of the A unit because of the pilot, you can't mount the coupler in the close position. The instructions say to mount the coupler in the far position, but the distance of the standard KD is inbetween the close and far positions and worked ok for me. Saves a #450 box for another engine B end.
I believe you could do an ABA set from one package.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Yup, the KD 450 is the best way to go. And remember, if your locos end up being too close, you can always get the long shank couplers to install on one or both units.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Which 30 series coupler works best with the Stewart F3?
fisker4jc Which 30 series coupler works best with the Stewart F3?
Whats wrong with the #450 kit?
From what i can tell the #450 is the bracket that holds the coupler, It say it holds a #30 series coupler but there are multiple possibilites for a 30 series coupler.
fisker4jcFrom what i can tell the #450 is the bracket that holds the coupler, It say it holds a #30 series coupler but there are multiple possibilites for a 30 series coupler.
You do not need to used the difficult & fiddly #30 series couplers with the #450 adapter any longer. Kadee has another option.
They now have the snap-together #252 coupler box. It has nearly the same dimensions as the ever-useful 30 series coupler box, but it works with whisker couplers and is much easier to assemble.
For a "Big Head" (standard) Coupler uses the #252 box and a #148 coupler. For a "Scale Head" coupler use the #158 coupler instead.
For what it is worth, I think the 30 series coupler spring provides more positive centering action than the whisker coupler in a #252 box. I am good at assembling 30 series couplers, so I do not use very many #252s.
The correct 30 series coupler is the #38, which is included in the #450 conversion kit.
The #252 box on a #450 Stewart F Unit adapter works just fine, and will result in proper coupled distance between the units.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I haven't looked at my Kadee 450's but they were a special box that worked with the Stewart F units. I believe at the time I used Kadee #5 standard head couplers in those boxes. But the 450 boxes were best used only on the back end of the F7A or both ends of the F7B, to get close coupling (3' scale distance). I just used the standard coupler box on the front end of the Stewart F7A.