The Lionel Service Manual calls for lubricating the 3662 Milkcar dash pot with a mixture of oil and Molykote. However, Molykote is a family of hundreds of lubricants. Maybe originally what Lionel intended was for an oil moly disulfide mixture. I do not know. Does anybody have a recommendation for an appropriate lubricant for this application? Thanks, David Johnston.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Try a dry lubricant like graphite. Anything sticky will screw things up.
The 3662 dash pot is there to slow down the motion of the milkman. The correct lubricant forms a seal between the piston and the cylinder wall. There is a small hole in the end of the cylinder that lets air in and out. With a tight seal, the air is forced out and allowed in slowly and the milkman slowly opens the door, gently sets the can on the platform then slowly goes back into the car.
Without a seal in the pot, the man zooms out, launches a can across the platform and zooms back into the car. This is the action of the 3462 027 car and is why the milk cans for that car have magnets in the bottom, so they'll stick to the platform as they are thrown out of the car.
You want a lubricant thicker than oil but thinner than automotive grease. I used some black moly grease from Woodland Scenics (part of their Hob-E-Lube line). I don't recall needing to thin it. Using a finger, I smeared a very thin layer on the inside of the cylinder and on the outside of the piston. The before and after difference in operation of the car was AMAZING.
Good luck!
That coating should be THIN. Too much, and the car won't operate at all. If that happens, it's no big deal, just clean out the dash pot. The amount of residue may be enough. If not, try again. 
I used white lithium grease and further adjusted the speed of milk can delivery by adjusting the accessory voltage, which I have connected independent of track power.
Pete
Thanks for the advice. I will have to get some appropriate grease. Everything I have here is to viscous. I will let you know how it turns out.
Personally I like seeing how far I can get the car to throw the cans
Seriously, though, the above advice is right on.
Also, side note:
I installed the old ERR Milk Car control in both my old postwar milk Cars. They have an electronic adjustment that you can play wot upon installation. Doing this, I was able to really calm down the milk man so he's not throwing frozen ropes anymore.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
