Rebuilding LL GP38 drive trains.

[S Class]

Hi Guys
I recently gave on old life like GP38 to a friend to use on a layout he salvaged to see if it was of any value in rebuilding.

I had these pretty crappy things since I got into N and probably paid too much for them given what we can get now, but as my friend was running it, it stalled. Observation of the mech shows that one of the linking drive springs between the motor and the gear train in the truck has twisted under torque and was binding the gear tower, thus stalling the locomotive.

Now my friend has removed the offending spring so it moves again only on one truck worth of power but is wondering: 1) are replacement parts available? 2) would it be better to use something like a ball joint from the likes of NWSL? and most importantly: 3) Is it really worth it?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Alwyn Cutmore]

S Class,

Probable in the end run not worth it. However with that said I would be more inclined to replace the spring with a piece of neoprene tubing from your local model plane shop. They use it for refueling but you would need to  check the diameter of your shafts with the inside diameter of the fuel line.

Regards

Al

[SkipGear]

Use small silicone fuel line for nitro planes. It is softer and more durable than neoprene. You should get the small size for 1/2A model airplanes (.020-.051 motors). Dubro products sells the size you need in 2' packages for a couple dollars.

http://shop.dubro.com/p/2-ft-super-blue-silicone-tubing-small/aircraft_fuel-accessories?pp=12&pp=12

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for that as I was looking for a source of the product for my own business use.

I normally get supplied neoprene but will try the silicone.

And yes S Class I do concur with Tony's recommendation.

Regards

Al

[kalbert]

+1 for the fuel hose. I've done it now on two Kato GP50's, several LL GP's, and a Mehano junker. Works great.

http://www.nscale.net/forums/entry.php?530-Fixing-a-GP50-and-Some-Other-Locos

[S Class]

somehow I had lost this, thanks guys. I'll pass it on to him.

[wm3798]

Before you replace the linkage, either with a hose or a spring, you should check the gears in the truck.  Obviously something was fouled for the spring to get torqued like that.  These things were notoriously over-greased, and crap from the roadbed would often get sucked up into the gears.

If he can get the truck to roll freely, then it's ready for a new spring.  I'm pretty sure I have a few of these corpses around and can spare the parts.  Let me know how the thing works out.
Lee

[Alwyn Cutmore]

What said was so correct Lee. I know with all my early Life Like I too the trucks apart and degreased the lot then added a light lanolin based oil. The difference is noticeable. The cream silicon based grease they used tends to go hard and freeze the gear train. 

Regards

Al

[S Class]

That wouldn't be surprising as I bought them 'new' in box from a clearance dealer and have only run them back and forth a total of about a meter.

one of these days I'll have a detail kit and bring the other three I have up to  standard for my layout.