E unit repair on Lionel 1666

Boxcar bill has them.

I know where to get the part, I am interested in a technique for doing repair or maybe even fixing the piece in place.  

You are going to have to disassemble the e-unit, which means, taking the e-unit out, opening it (with some sort of spreader), and disconnecting the wires. If it were me, I would chance both sets of fingers, clean the drum, and make sure the plunger/claw is free. Then reassemble, but be careful that everything lines up, as I have damaged the ears on some of the parts because they moved during reassembly.

It's not rocket science, but a third hand would be definitely be helpful. Good luck!

An ST-303 E-Unit spreader makes opening the unit up to get the old fingers out, and the new ones in, a lot easier. The 'hook' on the opposite end helps get the drum back in position when reassembling.

You can get them from Jeff Kane at The Train Tender and Olsen's Toy Train Parts, along with replacement fingers and drums.

E-units are easy to come apart, but need lots of patience to reassemble, and as has been said, a third hand comes in handy. Type in 'Lionel E-Unit Repair' in youtube, and you will get a few videos showing the procedures needed to repair them.

Larry

Len2, I use a circlip spreader to open the E unit, they work well.  

TrainLarry,  I will watch those YouTube videos!

Yes, getting them back together is fun, managing the drum, two finger boards and the pawl.  

Thanks for the help

I've been rebuilding e-units for well over forty years. I think that just about the best advice I can give is to remove the e-unit from the motor before doing any work on it.

Unsolder all the wires: power, brush plate and field. If you leave them attached, your ability to move the e-unit around as you work will be limited, and some of the connections might break off anyway.

I agree with Len2 on the ST-303 e-unit spreader. They have been reproduced and are very inexpensive. They have a cam that lets you spread the e-unit just enough to come apart without pieces flying all over.
I've tried the circlip pliers, they work, but I like the spreader bar better. Probably just a matter of experience.
The spreader bar also has a hook to help manipulate the drum to get it in the proper place.

Some people like to use an E-unit vise or some other fixture to hold the e-unit during the repair.
I don't find them to be helpful. I just use my hand.

Any Lionel parts dealer should have renewal parts for an e-unit.

C Clip pliers with stop nut really do work well, you can't over spread and it applies pressure evenly.  I put the 2 finger unit in first followed by drum and than 4 finger.  Applying a little pressure to the sides keeps drum in place along with orientation.

One of the easier pw task in my mind.

One other thing I do if originality matters is transfer the cloth wrapped wire if in good shape.  A PW with yellow, blue and green wires doesn't look good on a steamer, IMHO.  G

quote:

C Clip pliers with stop nut really do work well

I have not seen that type. I have a couple of pairs (two diiferent brands) that do not have any sort of stop. I think that would make all the difference. What brand/model do you have?

I don't think I'd be able to install the four finger contact last. I always put it in first.

If they are in good shape, I save the old wires too. I have some of the currently available replacement push-back wire on hand, but it isn't really an exact match for the original stuff.

Somebody posted a pretty good YouTube video on the repair process.

franktrain

Thanks for all the help.  I watched that video and thought it was really good. Now I actually am looking forward to completing this job. Parts are on their way.

By the way, I use Jeff Kane of the Train Tender for all my parts.  Pleasant, efficient, has all the parts and is reasonably priced!   (The fact he is a Penn Stater doesn't hurt either) 

Thanks again.  As usual the OGR forum comes thru!

VACO, not sure where I got them.  Has spring load also.  G

Thank you for the information on the pliers.