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Is there an easy way to change the traction tires on the front engine of the older MTH Proto Cab Forward?  Looking at it I don't see how to access the screw which holds the side rods on the traction tire wheel without dropping all the valve gear; not sure how I'd get the valve guides off so I can get the little socket tool on the nut.  Thanks!

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What he said. I've done it once. It was an unpleasant job but not all that hard, just time consuming. You have to go step by step and figure out very carefully what to do next. I can't provide any instructions because I just figured it out as I went along, and it was a couple of years ago. There is a logic to it and there aren't any of those horrible operations where you can't connect A until B is in place, but you can't align B until A is connected. It's a lot easier than assembling the segments of an MTH Bi-Polar. 
 
Originally Posted by Nairb Rekab:

Not as easy as most but after studying it for awhile to figure out what needs to be removed it wasn't as bad as it looks and I lived through it. After doing the one side the second was pretty easy.

 

I looked at one I had in for a Super-Chuffer upgrade, and I informed the owner that if it needs traction tires, he's on his own.

 

It appears that you have to take most/all of the rods off the drive wheels as the traction tires are on the rear next to the cylinders where all the rod components meet.  It certainly can be done, but it'll take a bit of time.

Rotate the motor until the screw on the main rod is centered behind the crosshead. Take off the drive rod and slide the piston out of the crosshead. Then you can get at the screw on the main rod, remove it and slip the tire under the main rod.

 

Do this four different times and you are done.

I have use the "stuff" Terry Danks mentioned above.  It has worked very well for me. Essentially, I put the engine in a cradle, and ran it at a very slow speed, then with a toothpick began to apply the snot.  You do want to work quickly because it is not easy to patch.  So I apply a liberal amount.  Then with an Exacto knife trim the excess material, and keep it flush with the wheel ring.  (Top of the groove for the tire.)  Let engine run for 15 minutes or so.  Follow instructions on bottle.

EDIT:  I have it installed on my Scale Big Boy (4012), and Cab Forward (4294), even the big engines it works great.

Last edited by Don(Cerritos)

Thank you-all!  I'll give it a try, taking lots of photos along the way.

 

Is there any place/way to get "fresh" tires for this engine?  I've some from the original box kit but am concerned they may be too old to use.  Sure don't want to go to all this trouble and have them peel right off first time around the layout!

 

I've heard there is a black gasket material in a tube that works well, like the Bullfrog stuff ... made by Loc-tite I think?  Anyone used it?

 

 

Black Silicone RTV. It works really well. The key is putting on several thin coats and letting it dry thoroughly between each coat. The first time I used it, I was impatient and put too much on and didn't let it dry. I recommend waiting 1-2 days between thin applications depending on temps. My second attempt was very successful (taking about 10 ten days), and it is still working.

Good Luck,

 

Bob

Last edited by CP BOB

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