I have a 400 and 404 that need some work. First, My 404 budd car has a bad coupler. The pin that looks like a T, that hold the coupler on the truck is broken. The top of the T is broken completly off. So I used a horseshoe clip to hold on that T pin, just for temperary, until i order some more T pins. Also, the coupler, when it is moved from side to side, does not swing back to the center of the truck. My other one is spring loaded it looks like and returns to the center of the truck when pushed to a side. I was thinking, that maybe because my T pin is broken it will not do this, true??
My 400 Budd car also has a broken T pin for the coupler and the plastic housing around the coupler is cracked and broken, so i glued it all back together, but, just is not the same. I will have to order a whole new powered truck and pilot assembly. Other than that both cars run fine and all 3 lights in each car work. Motors run strong, e-units and horn work great. Silver is shiny and good to look at. Hope you have some input in how to fix these problems. And when i took off the motor to my 404 it had a big horseshoe shaped metal thing between the fram and truck, looks like to give it clearance. But, my 400 did not have this. Does it need it?? what part number is this part?? thanks.
lionel2 Also, the coupler, when it is moved from side to side, does not swing back to the center of the truck. My other one is spring loaded it looks like and returns to the center of the truck when pushed to a side. I was thinking, that maybe because my T pin is broken it will not do this, true??
The part number & description for your "T pins" is 2321-164 "coupler centering plunger". I think that answers your question. The spring is # 2321-162 "coupler centering spring".
lionel2My 400 Budd car also has a broken T pin for the coupler and the plastic housing around the coupler is cracked and broken, so i glued it all back together, but, just is not the same. I will have to order a whole new powered truck and pilot assembly. Other than that both cars run fine and all 3 lights in each car work. Motors run strong, e-units and horn work great. Silver is shiny and good to look at. Hope you have some input in how to fix these problems. And when i took off the motor to my 404 it had a big horseshoe shaped metal thing between the fram and truck, looks like to give it clearance. But, my 400 did not have this. Does it need it?? what part number is this part?? thanks.
The pilot w/ steps is available as part # 2328-65.
YES the "big horseshoe shaped metal thing between the frame and truck" belongs, but not there. It goes between the frame & the motor. This is a # 2367-52 "ground spring". It ensures a good electrical path from the chassis to the motor and takes up some of the "slop" in the motor-to-frame keyhole arrangement.
Rob
I agree that the coupler centering plunger is 2321-164. I don't think he needs a spring; but, if he did, the spring is not also 2321-164. It is 1615-93, or maybe 2321-162.
Bob Nelson
Okay, I fixed the ground spring. I put it between the motor and the frame and it fits nicely now. How does the coupler spring mount to the coupler?? Looks like i will need to buy some coupler springs too along with 1 more ground spring for my 400 budd car. Also, when i took apart my 400 budd car there was an extra wire from the e-unit attaching to the shell or cab. Looks as if someone needed a faster way to trip the e-unit to get it to switch directions, because the lever is hard to reach underneath the frame. Should i remove this extra wire or not?? There is an extra small hole, 1/16 inch hole in the cab with a metal peice, used to trip e-unit, i think. Should i get rid of all this??? thanks.
lionel2...There is an extra small hole, 1/16 inch hole in the cab with a metal peice, used to trip e-unit, i think. Should i get rid of all this??? thanks.
...There is an extra small hole, 1/16 inch hole in the cab with a metal peice, used to trip e-unit, i think. Should i get rid of all this??? thanks.
That is a mystery. It sounds like someone had a pantograph on it at one time. Post a pic for us if you can.
One e-unit-coil terminal is connected to the pickups, the other terminal to the e-unit's on-off switch. Is it connected to either of these? If so, which one? Where does it come out of the body?
Yes, it is connected to one of these. The same one the pick-ups are connected to. And that wire runs the length of the chassie, up to the top of the shell. Has a 1/16 hole on the top by the horn and the other 1/16 hole in the front by one of the marker lights. Its just like a brass rod or something. I cut off that wire at the e-unit and at that brass rod, but left that little brass rod there, because it is screwed to the shell, with a little little screw, less than 1/16 wide. I think it was a short cut to trip the e-unit, so you would have to reach under the car and tip it over. I just got done lubing and oiling the 400 and 404 budd cars, waiting for some coupler parts and a new old stock power truck assembly. Other than that they are very nice to run and look at. Very shiny and clean shells. All the lettering and numbering are all there and clear and strong. thanks.
If it was connected to the terminal that is also connected to the pickup, then it probably doesn't have anything in particular to do with the e-unit. That terminal is just used as a convenient tiepoint for anything that needs a connection to the pickup.
Then what if it was on the e-units on/off connection?? Would that wire be used to shut off the e-unit and put it into neutral or something?? It was a nice clean job, whatever the original owner was doing. Did not even crack the shell when he drilled (2) 1/16 holes in the shell. I did not even notice it when i bought them. Thank god its only on the 400 budd car, the 404 is mint and original i guess. Should i patch those 2 holes or just leave them alone?? thanks.
How do you install a coupler centering plunger in the 400 and 404 budd cars?? Its a little T shaped pin used in the coupler to hold the coupler to the truck. Do you just push it through the hole and have 2 washers, spring, and the 2 coupler pieces, then cap it off with a clip thing. Thanks.
If it were on the other terminal, it could be used to cycle the e-unit. The regular on-off switch would be left off; and the e-unit would be stepped by connecting the brass wire to the layout common (the outside rails) momentarily. I can imagine using such a thing to stop the RDC at a station by having something near the track to touch one of the protruding wires. Then the RDC coasts to a stop and something else touches the other wire. This one could perhaps be connected to a pushbutton for restarting the RDC in the opposite direction. Does something like this make any sense given the locations of the brass wires? And are they perhaps connected to that other terminal?
They are connected to that other terminal, i was wrong the first time. Looks like you are right. Oh well, Guess i will just keep the little brass rod in place, because i dont want 2 visible holes in my shell, better to have little brass showing that holes. Thanks.
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