Lionel E Unit Rebuild: How to rebuild your E-unit........Step by step.

Рет қаралды 11,610

3 жыл бұрын

How to rebuild an E-unit step by step complete. save some of the original parts if possible and where to find replacement parts. Don't need to throw the e-unit away anymore or worse, the engine gets stashed away never to be seen again !

Пікірлер: 70

@williamsantangelo 6 ай бұрын

Thank You most excellent tutorial. Youve made me a smarter person indeed! The many mistories of the infamous E Unit! Have to acquire those tools

@mt.trainrestorations5931 6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

@robertprobst521 10 ай бұрын

Great video! Thanks for all the detailed information.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@terrystrainsdownunder9856 3 жыл бұрын

Great "Step by Step" presentation Mark 👍

@mt.trainrestorations5931 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@kathleenkuloy3696 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for very informative tutorial. I enjoyed it. I’ve put the drum in by hand back when. Thanks

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Mark

@elroySF Жыл бұрын

This is a great video! Thanks for posting. One small criticism - your hands - and the unit - frequently go off-camera. Makes it tough to see what you're doing. :)

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips! I was having difficulties with that on occasion.. Better now I believe.. Thanks for watching....

@hastyone9048 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks great video. Can you do one on servicing the coil unit for tender whistles. I often have problems with the magnet pulling up the contacts to get the whistles going. Thanks.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

I think thats a great idea....I have a few requests for videos this week. I'll try to line them up for the next several weeks..... Thanks for watching, Stay tuned..... Mark T

@patherbert2127 2 жыл бұрын

Move the camera towards you.

@NeedtoSpeak 2 жыл бұрын

You make this very delicate procedure look soooo easy…….it’s not. Nice job.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much 😊 I appreciate you watching....Hope this video helps Folks out there...😀

@flynnlizzy5469 2 жыл бұрын

A friendly suggestion: Take that marker and make a + to show you where your 'mark' is, like they do in movies, on stage etc. Focus your camera so that it focuses, dead center, over that mark so that you are working directly over the mark, center screen. We do not miss any of your skill. Great videos, thank you !!

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for advise and letting me know. camera locations are so frustrating to get right.... Stay tuned! Mark

@danny117hd 2 жыл бұрын

Bravo

@chuckmcdonald4950 Жыл бұрын

Never use oil on a plunger/coil assembly. Oil will dry out, collect dust. Use graphite only!

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip, but I found graphite seems to attach itself to everything and creates a continuous cleaning of contacts issue. It appears a good cleaning every so often is the key to a good running engine.....Keep watching! MT

@crowznest438 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful! I'll be using this to rewire an e unit. May I ask the gauge of the wire?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

22g works fine

@crowznest438 Жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 Thank you so much for your lightening quick reply!!

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

@@crowznest438 Anytime !

@pastorjohnmswanson5365 Жыл бұрын

How can I acquire one of those tools you use to put the lionel E unit together with.

@akush3551 Жыл бұрын

When I started this video, I realized you were the guy that did a video on the 60 trolley I watched over a year ago. That was informative, so I figured this one would be as well. I was right. I am rewiring my e unit in my original 671 locomotive since the wires are fraying, but I was trying to not take it totally apart. After seeing this I will strip it down, doing it right, and putting it back in service for another 70 years. BTW, I've rebuilt six 60 trolleys, and it's getting easier all the time. Question, do you really need that tool in order to put the drum in? Is it possible to do it manually? I kinda tried and it was hard. The tool is $69, without the anvil which is another $29. I don't have that many e-units to do, no more than 5 max.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words…. I’m glad my videos help..MT

@ajcaiati Жыл бұрын

Mark, you are the MAN! Thank you. Your video is EXCELLENT. If possible can you tell me where to get the vice, anvil and alignment tool for the drum. I deal with the Train Tender, and he is a great person. Having the proper tools is half the battle for these E Units. I just purchased a Steam Turbine #681 at a train show in Hampton Virginia yesterday, and it is my very first post war O Gauge locomotive. I absolutely love several different road names and Pennsylvania Rail Road is of them. Once again thank you very much for your time and patients. I started with the O Gauge Polar Express LionChief in 2020, then the 765 Berkshire Nickel Plate Road LionChief Plus 2.0. I also moved on to Santa Fe Hudson, NYC Hudson, and the Pennsylvania K4 Pacific. I love the newer stuff, but! The pre war and post war O Gauge trains was my Dad's era. My Dad always talked the NYC HUDSON , this was a period before I was born. Again, thanking you in advance, Anthony J

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Hi Anthony thanks for the kind words..... glad you enjoy the videos..... as to the e-unit tool the one I have is older and may not be available anymore but here is another model folks have be buying that work the same. see below sites to access those. thanks for reaching out. Mark T www.pedesignmanuf.com pedesignmanuf@gmail.com Ebay: PE_Design Facebook: PE Design

@ajcaiati Жыл бұрын

Mark I’m a native New Yorker, my Dad would tell me the stories about when the Hudson’s went chugging along pulling the Pullman coaches, and sometimes a string of baggage cars. NYC Railroad went straight through The Bronx, NY. My Dad was born in 1908, so he seen many of them. I took a trip from The Bronx, NY to Hancock, NY on the Erie RR back in 1965. It was exciting for me, but no steam just Diesels. The ride lasted 10 hours. I relive that day in my memory bank. I was just 12 years old. Thank you, I will check out the website you sent. GOD’S SPEED to you have a good week. Anthony

@franciscoppola7368 Жыл бұрын

I’m in Long Island nd was wondering where you said you buy your parts and where they are located

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Hi There Francis I buy from the "Train Tender" in western NY. ttender.com

@bumpedhishead636 Жыл бұрын

I have an e-unit sitting in pieces in a bowl. I had cleaned it and bought new finger units, but I simply could not get it reassembled. I don't have one of the nifty vices, and I have struggled with it for days with no joy. I just broke a tooth off the drum with my pliers. Arrrgh! I'm giving up and buying a rebuilt unit from ebay. Working on the trains is supposed to be fun - and I'm NOT having fun...

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Sorry to hear you're having trouble but I too struggled in the beginning. I didn't have any special tools or jigs to hold on the Units either. Its like you need three hands..... Patiences is the key, and a little luck. you'll get there. email me with questions and I'll try to help.

@noclueforid 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! I have been repairing trains for about 20 years and I still learned a few neat little tricks! Any thoughts on reducing e-unit buzz?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Hi David E-unit buzzing is an inherent trait I think...HaHaHa...it seems they all do their share of it. I found less power while changing direction eases that noise. Or pick the direction you want and move the lever over and the noise goes away since the unit doesn't have to pause anymore to change directions. Neutral is where the noise is ! This is what I find at least..... Thanks for reaching out....Stayed tune for more e uint videos. Mark

@upandabove567 7 ай бұрын

No Oil period will work its way on to the drum and collect dust then failure

@mt.trainrestorations5931 7 ай бұрын

Good maintenance will avoid any issues !

@gordonreeder9045 Жыл бұрын

just getting started on the e unit and found your video. great job, Could you tell me where you get the repair parts?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Hi Gordon Thanks for watching and reaching out to me.....I get parts from "The Train Tender". Check him out ... ttender.com ....is his site. look at the "photo parts" first, choose "e-units" and look at the Pics for the pieces you need, then go back into "Parts List" look up the part number to see prices. you can download his order form or email him.....He's Super Busy but he will get to you.... Let me know how you make out.... Thanks Mark T

@gordonreeder9045 Жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 thanks for the information I need all the help I can get!

@gordonreeder9045 Жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 Thanks for the helpI just finished working on the e unit of lionel 221. I only took some cleaning and re soldering. Your video helped.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

I'm glad to see the videos help...Thanks, MT

@lorettacaputo6997 2 жыл бұрын

The E unit has always been a confusing part of the lionel system for me. I finally learned what it does and I am impressed by the work of this electro mechanical device. Can you tell me if what electronic circuit or device was developed to replace the function of the E unit as I am sure someone developed a replacement that is not mechanical. Thanks. I enjoyed your repair video.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Loretta Actually yes they have come a long way and we now have an electronic E-units in most trains since the late 70's early 80's.....small circuit boards do all the work now... Motion, Sounds, Smoke and Steam..... I still like the old stuff though...Thanks for watching and Stayed tune. Mark

@edmontontraincollectorsass8791 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Mark. The jig really helps I bet. Where would one pick one up? Thanks

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

First Thanks for Reaching out......I bought mine some years ago and haven't seen the exact one again but here's a similar one if you check out this web site. Let me know how you make out..... Mark www.pedesignmanuf.com

@edmontontraincollectorsass8791 2 жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 Yes that looks interesting. Thank you for the lead. Ive only done one EUnit service, yesterday, and that was using pre-wired fingers, but I was successful (!) and now I think i could do the wire solder also. lolol foolhardy I know

@edmontontraincollectorsass8791 2 жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 Thanks for the lead. He has some interesting tools! I got a repro of the Lionel bar to open the EUnit, but another hand would obviously help! Esp re-assembling. I am going to service my own E-Units from now on....

@Eugene2ndW 7 ай бұрын

Is the current the the motor rectified DC? If AC how is motor rotation reversed?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 7 ай бұрын

AC power is switched when power is reapplied to the e unit turns the drum which brings around a different set of contacts reversing polarity.

@markiannaconesr8973 2 жыл бұрын

Great videos and very good in your teachings.I have a question,what kind of tool do you use for your e unit repairs.Can it be bought still,Thanks Mark Sr

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Mark Thanks for watching ! Heres what I have on the Tool used in my video. STX-377 Anvil and STS-378 E-unit assembly jig. Made by Precision Toy Train Tools-USA. Find it online. You want both these pieces which come in the kit I got. The Anvil is the best way to attach the lever to the e-unit. the holder helps a lot when you need a third hand. Let me know if you need other info on fixing e-units. Thanks Mark T

@REDHOUSETRAINS Жыл бұрын

Where can I find one of those vices and drum holding fork? Thanks.

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Try searching for PE design and manufacturing online. My model is many years old and may not be available but others are.

@REDHOUSETRAINS Жыл бұрын

@@mt.trainrestorations5931 I looked up PE Design and they have a jig similar to yours. I always said you need three hands to service an E-unit. :) Thank you!

@frankverrico8804 Жыл бұрын

Where did you get the assembly fixture you used at the end of the video?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 Жыл бұрын

Check the website http//pedesignmanuf.com The one I have is hard to find but this one may be as good?

@jamiecroll9303 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video !Where do you get your parts ?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jamie I get many of my parts from The Train Tender in NY. Great source. Ive been buying from him for years. ttender.com Thanks for watching, Hope this helps. Mark

@chuys53chevytruck59 2 жыл бұрын

I got a GreatLand Express train that looks like a gear broke looking for some one to repair it...

@michaelknopf6059 2 жыл бұрын

Please try to keep me hands in the picture

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry if you missed things from the video.... just trying to keep the screen clear ...... those older videos were learning experience for sure. thanks fo you comments. Mark

@jeffdagendesh2482 2 жыл бұрын

What wire do you use to replace wires for the e-units?

@mt.trainrestorations5931 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jeff It depends on what you're needs are but typical wire is 24 gauge and using colors help keep them straight when soldering. the replacement 4 finger and 2 finger assemblies come with the wires on them which is best and they are different colors. you can buy fingers w/o wire and do your own. I do both depending what's available. hope this helps. Thanks Mark T