Guys, I appreciate the continuing suggestions/encouragement...
MattR...Call me cheap. I already own an excellent Honda power washer. It strips paint at its highest setting. Since there's no urgency from my friend (engine owner) to have this done ASAP...he's willing to wait for warmer weather.
Jim Waterman, Gene H...I've tried my cans of pressurized air (keyboard dusters) and contact cleaner (for the R/C crowd). A few weak woolies came out, but the vast majority are 'steel' there.
Not enough pressure, IMHO.
Mallard 4468...I don't like to sell problems. If it came to that, I'd simply sell off the parts that I could thoroughly clean and put the rest in a recycling container (There's some pretty diligent folks around here that scrounge metal on trash day. They apparently have the time to go through the trouble of taking it to a junkyard for some $$. Not on my own retirement agenda, though.) Besides, my wife, an Ebay trade assistant for 20+ years, sez it's not worth the trouble. As for measuring my time in $$...I enjoy problem solving, finding out what others in the same pickle boat have done, trying something new.
Obuckler, DanR...I have no idea how to de-mag something the size and complexity of the 2037 motor block?? There may be a commercial establishment somewhere who could do it, but I'm too cheap to do that for now.
KOOLjock1...The armature itself is not the problem. It seems to be in good shape. Actually, with the exception of the armature axle ends, there doesn't seem to be much inherent magnetism in the armature assembly to attract the woolies. Besides, as I said, unless you pull the drivers on two axles you can't remove/replace the armature.
Forest...And pulling the wheels is not something I have the tools and inclination to do. Besides, at this point the woolies don't seem to be binding the axles in the bearings. Manual rotation of the wheels is quite free. After power washing, I'll check that again. If, at that point, the axles are bound up, it may be the end of the road for this project. I DO know when I've been beaten, when to call it quits on an adventure like this.
You know, when I've given this my best shot, and perhaps while scanning the motor block innards while wearing my Optivisor I still see a wooly or two hanging on defiantly, I'll lube/oil her up, put her back together, and if she runs, cycles, creates a bouquet of ozone and smoke oil in the workshop, I'll smile, call it "Good-to-go!". After all, I've pulled about a pound of cat and dog hair from steam and diesel engines through the years. Never got it all, I'm sure, but enough for JLC's finest to power through for many more years.
But, believe me, I appreciate all the ideas, experiences, encouragement herein!
KD
