Closing cap on lionel Santa Fe F 3/7 units using lionel couplers

Retiredcop posted:

There was an article here on closing the gap between Lionel F7 units using Lionel OEM couplers it dealt with putting E6 dummy couplers in place of the F7 OEM dummy couplers. Please PM me if you have the information I need to know how to install and properly

I'd rather the info be posted here for all to see.

I think GunrunnerJohn suggested using Lionel E6 dummy couplers. Look in the Parts section of Lionel's web site. I got them for my No 19 Lionel Santa Fe ABBA set and they worked perfectly  - basically no gap. My minimum curve is 072.

Hal

Retirecop,

   I have changed couplers on my PRR Lionel Century Sharks AA units and Lionel PRR Alco ABA diesels with good results using the Lionel parts website to select a shorter dummy coupler. Make sure you check out what type of dummy coupler your units use as when I did my sharks they were packed away so I looked at the newer Legacy Sharks on the website only to discover the century sharks used different dummy couplers (the end that attaches to the unit). Also when I did my Alco FA ABA set I only changed the dummy couplers on the B units not the A units. The website will give you the length of your original coupler as well as the coupler you are going to replace them with (Check E units seem to be closer coupled). Everything worked out and the engines look a heck of a lot better without the big gap. Oh when you do this don’t try to run your engines on 031 curves. Good luck.

JohnB

JohnB - Do you remember the part number of the coupler.  Can't seem to find it on the Lionel parts site.  Thanks

RRGeorge,

      No I don’t it was a few years ago. Just do a search for E7 or E8 and just pick a AA set. Just make sure you select a non operating coupler which is what is on the backs (usually) of the A units. You may have to look at the rear truck exploded diagram. You can compare what is on the rear of your A Units by searching the engine part number. Some times they tell you the length of the coupler, sometimes they have a picture of the coupler with a ruler underneath it. Use the parts pictures as reference.

     Good luck

JohnB

rrgeorge posted:

JohnB - Do you remember the part number of the coupler.  Can't seem to find it on the Lionel parts site.  Thanks

https://www.lionelsupport.com/ReplacementParts/

I have the E6 couplers but no idea how to install them 

Anyone have picture on the installation