1970 GP-9 and 1980 U36B Armature Bearings – To Lubricate or Not to Lubricate?

[rtraincollector]

You know I hate questions like this ( sorry nothing against you ) But we have one in here that will come in and tell you how not to use grease as it will harden ( it won't today's doesn't ) that all you should use is W-30 motor oil. In fact there isn't a thing wrong with today's grease and is the recommend item from the manufacture The info you got above is great. Back prior to 1970's I will say maybe even prior to mid 60's not sure how far back but Lionel switched what they used for grease in there engines as the old stuff would harden over time. But I will say anything from 1970 forward you will not find has the type of grease that will harden in it. I my self about year and a half ago got a engine nib from 1970 and it ran right out of the box ( now I don't recommend doing that but did it just to see very carefully) then took it apart cleaned and all and actually all was fine in there. So don't be afraid to use grease or a drop of oil if you prefer as some suggest I don't see anything wrong going that route either although the manufacture does recommend the white grease. 

[cwburfle]

Early MPC diesel motors did not have the set screw. I don't recall exactly when they were added. The 8030 was first made in 1970, so it was probably made the way you found it.

Sir James I covered how to lubricate your motor trucks.
There are several popular lubrication products.
Nothing wrong with the product he suggested.
I like Labelle 106 grease.

You don't want to get any lubricant on the brushes or commutator.

 

[sir james I]

Take the armatures out and lube everything. use plastic compatable white grease from a hobby shop. While the armature is out oil the axle from the inside. Lube the gears well and smear a small amount on the top half of the armature shaft. Most of those motors have a set screw on top. Turn it down till the armature won't turn then back it off till it just runs free.

[JTrains]

So, I've pulled apart my two diesels – a circa 1970 Illinois Central GP-9 #8030 and a circa 1980 Monon U36B #8155.  According to Lionel diagrams 1-19 / 1-21 (not sure if I have an "early" or "current" unit  – though I don’t think it matters in this case...) and 1-47 respectively, both  have an 8030-100 motor truck.  According to diagram 15-32, this  truck should have an 8030-118 thrust bearing screw through the brush plate pressing down on the armature.  Only the U36B does; the GP-9 does not. Somewhat curious, but not the thrust (ha!) of my question, which is...

...should I be lubricating the top and/or bottom armature bearings for these motors in some way? Neither looks like they have had any oil applied (at least at the top – there might be a trace of grease on the bottom bearings, perhaps only from the gears).   The instructions I have for the U36B (which also seems to be applicable for GP-9s - although perhaps for a version current at the time) doesn't mention having to - but then again it doesn’t mention lubricating the gear box either (which definitely needed a little something after 30 years).  Thoughts and experiences?