mixing and matching mech's Pt. 2...IM and Kato F units

[Bremner]

So I have a pair of Kato first run F3a's that had their shells meet an unfortunate end due to a 14 year old version of me...today, I would love to model 2 of the last SP used F7a's and I wonder, will an IM F7A shell fit a Kato F3?

[ryan_wilkerson]

I don't have the shells to test this combo. I do have a Kato F3 but no IM F7. The answer might also be different for A vs B units.

[AVR Mark]

While I don't really have a good answer for you since I have never owned and IM F unit, I suspect that the key to the question will be the Window Inserts. I have both old and new Kato F units and the shells are just about the same and either shell can fit older or newer chassis. The side glass inserts (for the port holes) are different on old and new shells and must be changed to match the old or new chassis.

Mark

[Big Windy]

I  believe the the IM shell is too short .

[BN1970]

I just tried putting an IM F7A shell onto a Kato F7 mechanism.  Its a really tight fit side to side (IM F7s have flush mounted windows so that will not be a problem) but the Kato F7 mechanism is slightly to long.  I do think if you could file the Kato mechanism to make it shorter, its not that far out.  I did not check for height. --Brian

[Bremner]

thanks guys, looks like I will have to pony up the $50 for the Kato shells

[Big Windy]

You could purchase brand  new IM B units for as little as $35.00 (flea bay).Install decoders w/light boards if you have the IM shells yo. Just a thought.

[VonRyan]

As an aside, Would the older kato shells (from the 1990s split frame types, not DCC ready) fit the newer, DCC ready, Kato F3 mechs? i have three pennsy F3s (A-B-A) but i've worked a deal with a friend for a newer (DCC ready) F3 A-B set (the shells are BN, probably going to sit on the old mechs for kicks).

-Cody F.

[peteski]

They sort of fit.  I gave them a quick try but the old shell was loose (up and down play) on the new mechanism.  I think I had to use the side windows "glass" from the new shell since the latches are part of these pieces and are different between the mechanisms.

[Bendtracker1]

As an aside, Would the older kato shells (from the 1990s split frame types, not DCC ready) fit the newer, DCC ready, Kato F3 mechs?

Cody,
They sure do.  I just finished swapping shells on two A's and B.  You'll need to make one minor change to the coupler pocket opening on the older A units.  You'll need to widen the opening so it will accept the new 2004 coupler box.  Compare the openings between the old and new unit, it isn't much.  You'll need to keep the new side glass with the new chassis and likewise, the old side glass with the old chassis as they snap onto the chassis's differently.

Once the old shells were in place on the new chassis's, mine were nice and snug.  The only thing you might run into would be the port holes, you might have to shave the middle port hole off the newer glass if needed.  Seems to me that were some minor differences between shells on the side windows.