Lionel 218 3 position reversing E unit cleaning motor train repair restoration

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6 жыл бұрын

You are excited since you have a (new) used Lionel postwar train engine. After the first, quick testing to look for problem areas, we have discovered that initial maintenance is imperative, and cleaning of electrical components when restoring a Lionel train is very important. It can prevent poor operation, intermittent failures, or more work and expense later. Lubrication of all moving parts is also key to ensure longevity of your train.

Пікірлер: 40

@hastyone9048 2 жыл бұрын

Lionel’s three position E Unit was the greatest invention their engineers ever came up with. Same design was used from the late 1930’s till the 90’s. In fact, Lionel produced a two position E Unit for military application during WWII. They were used in field radios. I own one which looks identical to all the E Inits used in their trains except there are only three fingers instead of four and no manual switch. Also, the casing is Stamped “The Lionel Corp. U.S of America”. I would remove the drum unit to properly clean but this is a clever way and a lot less work with not having to spread the units walls. Good video.

@trainzone1073 2 жыл бұрын

That is some great information about Lionel's help in the war effort and I'm happy you enjoyed the video.

@warrenevans7776 2 жыл бұрын

We just purchased a 218 engine and we’re surprised to find that it had a horn and magnetraction. Glad that we came across your video on the same engine. Now we know better how to clean and take care of it. “Thank You “ for your video on this engine. May God’s blessing be on you.

@trainzone1073 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you did well on your purchase and these are great multi purpose train engines. I wish you luck on the restoration and Happy Railroading!

@warrenevans7776 2 жыл бұрын

We have started to work on our 218 and the battery compartment is covered in rust. Still in good shape,but covered. What would be best to use to remove the rust ? “Thank You “ for your reply to our question. May God’s blessing be on you.

@trainzone1073 2 жыл бұрын

@@warrenevans7776 Great question, often I put oil on it and scrape it with a dull screwdriver and we know when there is rust there is pitting so the damage is done.

@silverblue63 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video I have a 218 engine that has never worked after following your video and giving it a through cleaning it now works fine.

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and that is exactly why I make repair videos. I've watched a few that others have made and wanted to also help out our railroads and hopefully save some folk's sanity too:)

@RenaissancePeopleNYC 4 жыл бұрын

With my gorilla fingers I broke the 2 contact phenolic piece of the e unit. Your video gave me the confidence to fix it as I was just going to replace it. I purchased a new contact and installed it as you showed all is fine! At least now I learned something good!

@trainzone1073 4 жыл бұрын

Nice work and I bought one of the E unit spreader tools and have now rebuilt a couple of them myself, I used to be afraid of them and would send them off for someone else to rebuild them. I also discovered that you can put a drop of blue Locktite on the lever pivot if it is too loose and work it when drying if needed or do another application to make it sticky.

@RenaissancePeopleNYC 4 жыл бұрын

A loose e unit lever is easily repaired. Add several drops of super glue to the rivet and washer and move the lever back and forth to ensure it soaks in really good. Mover the lever back and forth every 30 seconds or so as it dries so it doesn't dry in place. If still loose, add more glue and repeat. Just keep the lever moving, It may take 5 to 10 minutes to dry fully so keep it moving as it dries. I fixed an e unit lever that was flopping all over the place with this method. It will be as still as a brand new one if not better!

@trainzone1073 4 жыл бұрын

Great work and I have used Locktite blue threadlocker for the same purpose.

@anthonypirozzi837 3 жыл бұрын

You can get the brushes in from the top when the motor is together

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

Correct a guy sure can and I prefer not to since I believe I would have to bend the tab holding the brush spring and then bend it back. That's the only reason I slide them in from the bottom.

@rogerevoy6191 3 жыл бұрын

For motor armature commutator cleaning use a drafting electric electric eraser available on e bay. Polishes nicely and safely.

@trainzone1073 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching my video and I need to try that.

@ken0272 2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't use wd-40 on electrical contacts...it leaves a residue, use electrical contact cleaner or that electric eraser mentioned by Roger Evoy below

@dougjayne6085 2 жыл бұрын

When you're cleaning the wheels while running the motor you can clip one wire on the wheel housing rather than drag it on the wheels.

@w.rustylane5650 4 жыл бұрын

I've got a Lionel 0-4-0 die cast that will not run. I think it's in the wiring. How do I go about getting it fixed? I love the little engine and hate to just use it as a static engine.

@trainzone1073 4 жыл бұрын

After watching some videos I would take it apart, cleaning and inspecting everything and you should run across some stuff which is suspect.

@onemorething100 3 жыл бұрын

are yo familiar with Deoxit electrical cleaner? Is it ohm to use on The E-unit and other electrical components?

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

No sir I haven't ever used it and if it is safe on plastic it should be fine.

@theID2 Жыл бұрын

i have a 1947 Lionel 726 Berkshire & 2426W Lionel Lines Whistle Tender. my father bought this new in '47 or '48. i came across one of your repair/refurbish videos and wondered if you had one for this specific engine & tender. last time i had it checked for operation it ran fine, but that was perhaps 10 years ago or so. i'd like to see if i can refurbish it myself as i'd like to sell it to someone who would appreciate it. the market looks to me like a couple hundred dollars but i'm not going to let it go for that. i do, however, want to make sure it's in good working condition. can you point me in the right direction?

@trainzone1073 Жыл бұрын

Hello, thanks for watching and sorry for the late reply and I'll bet you have it running well by now. With the steamers disconnect some of the drive wheel linkage, drop the motor out of the shell watching the smoke piston linkage. Clean and oil the motor, grease the gears just like on the diesels. Same type reversing unit too. Happy Railroading.

@robertnielsen2461 3 жыл бұрын

I like to use q tips for this chore.

@johnackermann2646 2 жыл бұрын

Where can I order parts for Lionel train. I have a 218 SANTA FE from 1958

@trainzone1073 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the repair video and I obtain a lot of my parts on ebay or at train parts supply shops I find on google. I search the part numbers that I find in the Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel trains 1945-1969 for these beautiful postwar trains we love so much.

@garywayne1966 3 жыл бұрын

What is the blue strip that you used to clean the drum on the e unit

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, they are pieces from a roll of the blue shop towels.

@garywayne1966 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info6. I have a 216 that I got running today. I might have to do the same thing to the E unit that you did. It will run forward if you fiddle with the lever but then it kicks into reverse and wants to stay in reverse.

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

@@garywayne1966 Yes sir since you have a postwar engine the reversing unit is most certainly in need of cleaning, just like the motor was my friend. I'm even cleaning the center pick up roller axles with WD40 now and black comes out, good luck on the restoration.

@MrCarsdude 5 жыл бұрын

I use CRC cleaner

@trainzone1073 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent cleaner and I have used it before though many years ago.

@MrCarsdude 5 жыл бұрын

TrainZone here's a video I done of the restoration of my postwar engines m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gNiAn7Zes8nXhoE.html

@kevinbadeau2858 3 жыл бұрын

Hello. I picked up a used and abused Lionel 202 which has a similar motor to this but I believe the wiring was taken apart by someone and not put back properly. I've tried to study what seems like the wiring on the train in the video but when I simulate the wiring using test clip wiring the unit seems to over heat. I'm wondering if I could send you some photos of the wiring that was there before and the wiring I am trying to do now and perhaps you can tell if I'm wiring this wrong or if there is something failing that is causing the issue. Thanks.

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

I found your engine/E unit wiring diagram on page 28 of Greenberg's Repair and Operating manual which is a must for all of us technicians. I'm still always learning too and can't function without it. The most critical point I believe, unless I'm mistaken, is that the motor brushes and field all need to be in series in the circuit, the power can't just be connected to the brushes.

@RenaissancePeopleNYC 4 жыл бұрын

I am very surprised no one uses crocus cloth. A fine crocus is THE best for burnishing a commutator or cleaning contacts. Emery should NEVER be used.

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

Right it has to be very fine and I've not seen crocus cloth, thanks for the tip, and my 1000 grit paper is as course as I have gone.

@RenaissancePeopleNYC 3 жыл бұрын

@@trainzone1073 Don’t use anything with grit! The grit comes off, lodges in the copper, and turns your commutator into a grinding wheel, ready to make quick work of your brushes.!

@trainzone1073 3 жыл бұрын

@@RenaissancePeopleNYC Excellent point and that is why we must clean the commutator after any type of resurfacing.