Spent the weekend with a Post War ( (painted silver) Prewar gear drive.
Totally dismantled and addressed usual issues. Cracked track base, gear lube like concrete, dirty commutators , bent and rusty structure, warped base , etc.....
Only thing in good shape was the little house. So I did a reverse variation of DB's high-rail harbor. Well maintained house and weathered the rest a nice dark rusty patina to conceal the flaws.
All the repair books say over tensioning is the cause of the base warping. A good firm twist and it is flat as a pancake.
A little risky if you are not familiar with castings. Easy to break but once you get the feel, you never forget
And they say that it needs to be adjusted properly but none say how much.
I started with the spring just becoming slack at top of the lifting cycle but with the motor cleaned up and good as new it will easily lift without the spring. Without it it does come down a little faster because there is now counter action and not real good for it.
Anyone ever come across any repair guide that addresses this. Or is it one of those adjust it by ear till it sounds right and then back off a half turn things that old mechanics would do to time ignitions.
Now If I only knew what it was supposed to sound like.
Thanks
Fred
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