Replacing Mabuchi Motors

I bet "HarmonYards" Pat will be able to make a suggestion... 👍

Mark in Oregon

Removing the worm will be the sticking point, those suckers are really on there!  Removing the flywheel is no problem.

Most of the ones used in our trains are rated 12-24 volts and/or 2.4 amp stall current. As John points out getting the gear off is difficult but reinstalling it is even harder to do without bending the shaft. Find a drill bit that gives a sliding fit along with an adhesive is the safest way to install the gear. Most can be drilled and tapped for a set screw also.

Pete

I would email Timko’s Repair, I’ll bet Frank Timko could duplicate the existing worm. Worth a try.

As mentioned by John & Pete, it’s the worm gear that’s on the existing motor that’s pressed on there with the same force that turns coal into diamonds,…..wrecking the gear is easily done,….I’ve wrecked my fair share,….when I do get one to come off, I always opt for Pete’s suggestion and make it slip fit with a set screw, counter bored,….as far as MTH motors go, the new parts website  (mthpartsandsales.com) has many of the mabuchi motors listed in the handy dandy motor identification charts made by Mike Reagan, ….motors are listed by worm gear size, specific applications, etc,….lots of useful information there,…

Pat

@rad400 posted:

I have several bad locomotive motors form various manufactures (Lionel, Williams, MTH) where either the manufacture no longer supports the motor or it has been on back order for years.  The motors in question are Mabuchi motors which Mabuchi still makes the base models RS360SH, RS385PH but don’t have the specific gear or flywheel attached.

Assuming the flywheel & gear can be removed from the bad motor, and reinstalled on a new motor,  does anyone have the experience/knowledge of matching up new Mabuchi motors with older ones that were originally used?

Thanks for your help,

Bob D

Msy I suggest you contact Timkos toy train repair. They may have some motors eith flywheels in stock.

@harmonyards posted:

As mentioned by John & Pete, it’s the worm gear that’s on the existing motor that’s pressed on there with the same force that turns coal into diamonds,…..wrecking the gear is easily done,….I’ve wrecked my fair share,….when I do get one to come off, I always opt for Pete’s suggestion and make it slip fit with a set screw, counter bored,….as far as MTH motors go, the new parts website  (mthpartsandsales.com) has many of the mabuchi motors listed in the handy dandy motor identification charts made by Mike Reagan, ….motors are listed by worm gear size, specific applications, etc,….lots of useful information there,…

Pat

Pat- I checked MTH new parts web site and when I listed BE0000020, I came up with 3 versions of the motor, which were all out of stock (same as it has been for the past 2 years).  When you mentioned Mike's motor identification charts, is that the information you get when a Motor part number or is there another location on the web site where you find the motor identification charts.

Thanks. Bob D

@rad400 posted:

Pat- I checked MTH new parts web site and when I listed BE0000020, I came up with 3 versions of the motor, which were all out of stock (same as it has been for the past 2 years).  When you mentioned Mike's motor identification charts, is that the information you get when a Motor part number or is there another location on the web site where you find the motor identification charts.

Thanks. Bob D

Bob, when you get on the home page, down in the right corner is a category “helpful stuff & videos” ……click on that, and scroll down till you see the Railking motor charts,…..there’s two documents, one for steam, the other for diesels,…..check it out, let us know if you found the docs with ease,….

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Bob, when you get on the home page, down in the right corner is a category “helpful stuff & videos” ……click on that, and scroll down till you see the Railking motor charts,…..there’s two documents, one for steam, the other for diesels,…..check it out, let us know if you found the docs with ease,….

Pat

Pat - GREAT, THANKS.   Lots of very good info in that tab and provided me with a replacement motor which is in stock but no fly wheel or worm gear provided.  There is a note on the page indicating,  "swap the fly wheel and worm gear".   I guess easier said that done!

Thanks,  Bob D

Bob, one tip on the flywheel. They are not as tight as the gear but still require pressure to install. Lionel sells a “fixit flywheel” with a set screw. You can also take the flywheel you remove and drill and tap for a set screw if you have the means but if not the Lionel part will make at least that step easier.

Pete

FWIW, I've pulled a lot of flywheels and never had any issue with them with a standard wheel puller.  My bigger issue has been a few flywheels were actually loose on the shaft and I had to stick them on with retaining compound.

@Norton posted:

Bob, one tip on the flywheel. They are not as tight as the gear but still require pressure to install. Lionel sells a “fixit flywheel” with a set screw. You can also take the flywheel you remove and drill and tap for a set screw if you have the means but if not the Lionel part will make at least that step easier.

Pete

Aww, sugar. I sent a motor to Pat as I couldn't find a flywheel for amateurs....

@Engineer-Joe posted:

Aww, sugar. I sent a motor to Pat as I couldn't find a flywheel for amateurs....

That’s for a small shaft motor Joe,….if you wanted to use that flywheel on a 4mm shaft, it’d still have to be bored correctly,….a lathe is best for that operation,….trying to drill that with a calculated eyeball would more than likely result in a wobble,…

Pat

Thanks. Seems to be my standard work level lately.

At least I have a drill press. I still have to file it to steady the wobble!

Hi Joe,

shoot me a message off line at mreagan@twtrainworx.com. I’ll be happy to jump in and give you a hand in finding a motor that will work for you.

thank you,

Mike