@0-Gauge CJ posted:Sound advice all around, I appreciate people chiming in. But as @Norton pointed out, the best way for me to learn is to do it myself. Also, one of the aspects about this hobby I enjoy is the option to work with my hands - benchwork, etc. Upgrading my own locomotive is one more avenue for such work.
John, I actually have a few diecast conventional steamers, including an old NYC L-3a Mohawk (6-18009) from the 90s? that I wouldn't mind upgrading. Very long tender and long boiler, that is probably one of the best steamers I have for practice. It also has the added bonus of being relatively cheap (at least compared to today's models) and not too difficult to find - if I royally screw up I can always shop for another and try again. Thank you all again for the wisdom!
Not to discourage you, but the older Pulmor equipped steamers are not for the faint of heart when attempting to swap in a large can motor.......lots of cutting and machining of parts to make an accurate, clean, undetectable swap......That being said, Timko offers a direct bolt in swap for these steamers, with a much smaller motor.......that’s what I’d suggest to use to get your “feet wet” in learning to do swaps and upgrades. Timko’s swap is a bolt in swap, so no cutting or grinding required.....if you still desire to do the larger can motor swap, feel free to contact me via my profile, and I’ll be happy to show you the myriad of tools and machines I use to accomplish these kind of swaps,....
Pat 
