E unit rebuild

Ya give up and buy an electronic e-unit LOl

you need to search old post. I have seen one on how to make a jig.

I know you can buy a jig. Try doing a search or follow this link https://pedesignmanuf.com/?page_id=1431

Dallee e units very easy to install.

That depends on the locomotive. You have to isolate the field coil ground and that’s not an easy task for some prewar Lionel locomotives.

There are some YouTube videos on how to do it without the jig. I was able to do it, but the frame was weakened by constantly stretching it to try to force it in there.  You can probably buy a decent e-unit from Jeff at train tender for a reasonable amount. I like the idea of electronic e-units more. That’s what I’d do next time. I would never try to rebuild an e-unit (without the pricey jig) at this point.

@Bob is cool! posted:

More cuss words have come from assembling the last step  the drum and bottom fingers  Is there a tricktp this cos I'm loosing my mind

Done hundreds of them.  Line up the standoff so the recess is over the hole in the side frame, use tweezers to install the drum.  With strong fingers, squeeze the side frames to retain the drum, then install the bottom fingers, then snap side frames together.  Use channel locks to squeeze side frames into standoff to lock in place.

My notes on postwar E-unit rebuild.   Sorry no final assembly outline. 

You can put them together without a jig.  I did it for the first 10 or so postwar E-units I rebuilt.  The first was frustrating, but by the 10th It wasn't too bad.     As stated, there are some Youtube vids that are good at showing assembly without jig.

I have a jig now, like a 3rd hand.   The jig holds the body and aligns the barrel, it is quicker, but still takes care to get everything aligned.

I have 50+ E-unit controlled items, converting to electronic is too costly for me.   I have rebuilt 70% of them.

This looks like an interesting tool for rebuilding E-units.

https://pedesignmanuf.com/?page_id=1431

I have done it enough times that i know now I never want to do it again. I throw them away. (Buy New if you have to)
i spent a good day rebuilding and found they still didn’t work correctly or became noisy to the point that I ripped them out and installed an electronic unit.

not only does the electronic unit smooth out the shifting it also smooths the general running of the prewar and post war locomotives.

I am extremely happy with the units I have installed.

I have kept two trains with the original e-units one is the P-type and the other B-type. They both are substandard and are prone to shifting when passing over switches. Great for a circular track only.

your time is better spent running your train or building your layout.

@Michael Roth posted:

I have done it enough times that i know now I never want to do it again. I throw them away. (Buy New if you have to)
i spent a good day rebuilding and found they still didn’t work correctly or became noisy to the point that I ripped them out and installed an electronic unit.

...

your time is better spent running your train or building your layout.

I'd like to suggest keeping the junkers in a box and giving them to a friend (or stranger) who repairs trains.  If you don't know someone personally, take them to a meet and hand them to the first parts guy you see.

I managed to get a handle on the. E unit rebuilds. the more I do, the better I get.  Rebuilding Lionel's classic post war engines is now my personal mission .I love doing it and have learned a lot. Although they aren't everyone's choice , they're are those who appreciate them, but can't restore them. So I think I'm doing the train hobby some good.  I've done several 671s,226s 675s, 2026s ,226E,and various Hudsons now. Just having fun and enjoy seeing the little beasts operating and looking their finest

I use these reversed, so squeezing the handle opens the tip, to spread the frame just enough for the part to fall in place:

https://www.amazon.com/Tools-1...Pliers/dp/B000CO7VBK

Pressure on the part as you spread the frame and it will snap in without having to open it too far where the sides won't go back to where they belong. They can be found much cheaper at other places like Harbor Freight , some come with several sets of different tips for different size snap ring holes.

@Bob is cool! posted:

I managed to get a handle on the. E unit rebuilds. the more I do, the better I get.  Rebuilding Lionel's classic post war engines is now my personal mission .I love doing it and have learned a lot. Although they aren't everyone's choice , they're are those who appreciate them, but can't restore them. So I think I'm doing the train hobby some good.  I've done several 671s,226s 675s, 2026s ,226E,and various Hudsons now. Just having fun and enjoy seeing the little beasts operating and looking their finest

I like prewar. All most of the ones I do were basket cases. Rusted and suffering from sink pest. I just op for restomoding

I can‘t afford the cost for used broken parts. So I use and restore what I can buy new when I have too.

Super looking. Great colors  Love it. Good for you