As Pat stated I did begin to try doing a motor swap in my K-Line Hudson. I have used Swiss made Maxon motors in my HO engines many years ago. They are high quality and have high torque compared to other motors of the same size.
Maxon now makes about 6 grades of motors and I believe the least expensive of those are now Asian made. I found some on eBay about the same size as the Mabuchi 385s for about for only slightly more than the Mabuchi. It wasn't until I received them and was able to check the specs that I discovered their torque rating is also the same as the Mabuchi. At that point I set the Maxon aside and will continue looking for better alternatives like Pat's Pittmans.
One thing about the gears used by everyone on their Mabuchi motors is there is enough metal to drill and tap for a set screw.
That will allow drilling for a sliding fit and eliminate the possibilty of damaging a motor by pressing it on.
BTW Maxons high line use ball bearings and rare earth magnets and while they make a lot of power they come with a price well in excess of 200 bucks for a Mabuchi 385 size motor.
Edit, I see Pat is already aware of the set screw option.
Pete
