Removing MPC Berkshire 6-8003 Shell and E-Unit servicing

There are only 3 screws. Wiggle the shell back and forth. Just like a 736. The shell possibly hung up like a headlight wire caught up on a handrail cotter pin.

The thing that gets me is there is NO wiggle at all... I even tried prying with a screwdriver at the cab end...

Definitely a mystery here, since as others have stated there are only three screws on a Berkshire that secure the shell.  Did you open the boiler front and look around in there with a flashlight?  

Chuck Sartor posted:

The shell possibly hung up like a headlight wire caught up on a handrail cotter pin.

Perhaps, but the wire would have some give if someone was pulling up on the shell and BMoran is saying it is stuck tight.   From looking at photos  of that Chessie engine, I can see the shell casting is somewhat different than that of my 1947 Berkshire.   Wondering now if there may be additional fasteners in it.   Opened up the link BMoran provided,  but it led to a dead page.  

There IS only 3 screws, the shell should come off.

Turns out there was a really tight fit between the shell and valve hanger. A little persuasion in this area and it finally came apart as expected. I immediately found that the e-unit drum will not stay in position. It dosen't have well defined tits, just little mounds and this appears to be by design, not wear. The drum is clear in color. How do I correctly mount this drum?

The clear drums have a notable reputation for breaking at the ends. Sounds like it’s time to get a new one.

Most fellow experts advise for the green drums. I’ve found the black to be just fine.

As Thomas wrote, those clear drums are very brittle, and the ends tend to break off. I have some new, old stock ones. They start out looking just like any other drum.

It is hard to get a great picture, but I have found that the e-unit likely has two plastic retaining cups that mate with the nubs of the drum, however I am unable to locate the second one. No, the retaining cup is not a busted off tit. Anyone know the part number off hand and a source? The rest of the e-unit (drum, fingers etc) seems fine.

Go to the train tenders web site,  he has tons of the drums....

Marty

Where would these cups go?

As I have already written, I have some NOS clear drums.

I also have some NOS complete e-units with clear drums. I can check them for these "cups".

@C W Burfle, It appears they go together like this (excuse my poor computer drawing skills):

The cup is somewhat reminiscent of this type of Lego piece except it has 2 outside diameters (not 3) and the inside hole matches the taper of the nubs on the drum (not a cylinder in shape):

I guess it is possible that both tits broke off so very perfectly, but  I feel I have a better chance at the lottery...

Yes, I am aware it is possible to get a 259E-1 drums, but I'm very curious about this setup.

Wow, and I thought regular e-units were a PITA to reassemble - can't imagine what "cups" on each side would be like....

Best of luck, lad!!

No such thing. There is only 1 e-unit drum. The 'cups' would serve no purpose. That is just the way the plastic broke off. As many have already stated, the clear version of the drum are very prone to damage.

Today I will try to closely examine the loose clear e-unit drums I have on hand.
It's doesn't hurt to double check.

I looked over my loose clear drums and took some photos.
They look to me like they were molded in the same equipment as other e-unit drums. One piece, I could make out cavity numbers on some of them.
Here are some photos.