I acquired a 246 with a 1001M (see picture). I did some clean up on the engine and got it back together. It ran fine, but it seems the forward / reverse switch only works about once. After that it is either stuck in between positions on the drums (hums) or in a direction (forward/reverse). I can see through the inspection hole that the moveable field piece is no longer spring biased - it moves up and down freely based on gravity.
Any trick to getting this to work longer than once 
Thanks!
Those motors are complicated. First, the motor shown is not a 1001M. The one shown is a more refined 246-200. The magna-traction magnet is a give-away. If the field segment is flopping up and down, the spring is missing, or too weak. Be sure the rotating drums are in the right position. The one with the longer teeth goes to the right, as the is what the pawl moves to rotate the drums. Another problem is reproduction brush springs. if you have replaced the original springs with repo springs, they are too stiff and cause considerable friction on the armature. use the original springs if possible, if not cut about 1/2 the length of the spring and stretch to fit. Maybe some of these tips will help.
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