First step in getting old AF engines to run after long layoff

It's not so much what you need to look for but what you need to do.

after so much time I would be looking to pull the chassis and reverse unit apart and giving them a thorough servicing.

Disassemble the chassis/motor so that you can clean all the old oil and grease from the gears and axles. Check the chassis for axle ovality, if excessive then it will need to be bushed. Good way to check this is to place armature on chassis and turn it upside down so the gear is meshed into the worm and check for worm and gear clearance, there should ideally be a bit of movement, if they are meshed deep together then it needs rebuilding. Clean the commutator slots of old carbon, polish the armature if it looks OK, clean the brushes on the end of any oil and grease. Put some light oil of your choice on the two armature bearings and make sure they spin, they can get seized over time. Oil the axles and grease the gears and some grease on the armature worms. You may need to replace the armature pads at the ends of the chassis as they limit end float on the armature. Re-assemble and make sure the armature is centred in the field coil. That should sort the chassis out. 

With the reverse unit I would remove the finger boards and clean the ends, if badly worn with holes in them then best to replace. Clean the drum and polish. I set my fingers at about 35-40 degrees so that they give a good contact on the drum. Re-assemble and this should sort the reverse unit out.

That is a quick overview of most of the bits I cover when I do servicing on my units, there are probably a few bits I have missed but you tend to spot things as you go along.

Try CRC Electro Cleaner

thanks I'll try your suggestions this weekend

Tom

Hi -

Okay, I'm new at taking these apart.  What more do I dis-assemble to start doing as you suggested - think "TOTAL MORON GUIDE" which i need   !

Tom

This will be interesting, long distance help.

you need to take the side frames off, two countersunk screws, one each end.

loosen the two screws on the brass yoke (top) by a turn or so.

Remove the two lower screws on brass yoke.

gently pull chassis assembly down with as much loom as possible

Remove black end worm covers, both

remove four screws holding down copper armature straps

let us see what you have now the chassis and armature should be separated 

You might want to remove the single screw that holds the reverse unit to chassis to also give you some more slack on the loom

And if you don't feel comfortable, you could make some diagrams showing you where parts go, wires connected etc.  Might be helpful.