rebuilding a #8

This is long... but thorough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4fLVK70h1Y

The motor on the #8 is similar to other motors you may be familiar with in that the parts are the same, just configured a bit differently. Standard cleaning and repair techniques are used.

The Hobby Horse wheel press with the proper cups will come in very handy to press the new wheels on properly; however, unless you plan on doing many wheel replacements,  the cost is high for just one job. Perhaps a nearby Lionel dealer will do the job for you for a reasonable fee?

Here are a couple of videos to get you started

#8E Motor disassembly

#8E New Wheels

Larry

Greg you got this. It’s not a complicated process, especially for this engine. You don’t have to worry about steamer wheel quartering. I buy my wheels from Hennings. I did this same replacement a few months ago on several No 8’s.

From the big box stores buy a faucet handle puller and a woodworker vise. (See pic#1) On the puller I had to grind down one leg to better fit between the motor frame and the wheel for O gauge engines. (See pic#2). As purchased will work fine with standard gauge. Just pull one wheel, remove axel from frame, pull other wheel from axel, punch the gear off of the wheel.

Use the Wood vice to press the gear on new wheel. Then set geared wheel into vice with axel perpendicular to it and press it on. Slide assembly through motor frame and use vice to press other wheel on. Check for spacing between wheel, frame and ensure gear mesh are all smooth. Than repeat and your done.

I have used this on 8s, 10s, 249 and 253 also. Just take your time and you will be fine

.

GOOD advice above! A #8 is a fairly easy start for a standard gauge restoration!

Thanks for all of the advice so far...I am having fun with the process.  The videos are quite helpful.  

I would like some advice on replacing the wire.  All of the insulation is rotted and I prefer stranded wire to replace, but notice the original wire is solid.  Is it better to stick with solid wire for these engines?

Greg

As long as the wire gauge is the same, interchanging stranded wire for solid wire should not be a problem.

I usually stick with the original type wire.

Larry

Greg if you use stranded wire just ensure that all the strands are captured under the the screw head or nut, you don’t want to be chasing a short or miss operation of the unit. Solid wire prevents that.

@Gregcz1 posted:

Thanks for all of the advice so far...I am having fun with the process.  The videos are quite helpful.  

I would like some advice on replacing the wire.  All of the insulation is rotted and I prefer stranded wire to replace, but notice the original wire is solid.  Is it better to stick with solid wire for these engines?

Greg

 

I've preserved the original wires on several locomotives of that vintage..  If the insulation is dried out, I strip it just by rubbing between two fingers or scraping with a hobby knife.  Then I'll straighten it and slip a length of fabric insulation over it from on end.  I got the insulating sleeves from Dr. Tinker - other parts suppliers may have it.

I like to make my repaired engines as close to the original as possible.  With this method I'm usually able to have 100% original wires.

So I am having trouble locating the replacement wheels.  Olsen's has them listed as "SM-72".  I can not find wheels listed with that title.  The only thing I have found are red spoked wheels for steam engines.  Are those the ones I am supposed to use??

Greg

If you look at the drawing of the #8, it indeed shows spoked wheels.

Larry

Hennings has the wheels.

These are the wheels that you need. You should call Henning’s to check on their availability, currently the site does not show any availability. Jeff at the Train Tender may have these and he is a very good person to work with.

@Gregcz1 posted:

So I am having trouble locating the replacement wheels.  Olsen's has them listed as "SM-72".  I can not find wheels listed with that title.  The only thing I have found are red spoked wheels for steam engines.  Are those the ones I am supposed to use??

Greg

Look on eBay for "lionel standard gauge locomotive wheels" and you'll see several alternatives.  I'm looking at several right now

The Train Tender has them in stock.

Larry

Greg if you buy the wheels individually you will need two SM-72 plain wheels and two SM-75 wheels with the gear boss.

Make sure they are MEW wheels... MTH uses smaller diameter axles and will not press on to original axles...Or you an drill them out if you have the right tools.

SMWS is our part number for the electric wheel set. We will be shipping back orders this weekend. Open stock will be listed in our eBay store and our own website next week.  Harry  

There you go! :-)

I looked but saw no reference to the type of whee/ regarding the wheel gear size. I believe that there are two type of gears a large one that is almost the size of the wheel and the small one that is not as large as the other. I believe Henning's has both (do not know if they are still making the wheel for the larger gear).  I do have the #8's with both size gears. Does anyone have input on this?