Lionel 224 e-unit drum question

Looks like the E unit frame has spread..needs to be tightened,also the drum is shot...need a new one...try Jeff Kane at www.ttender.com   hope this helps....joe

Yes you need to at least replace the drum. Should look like this.

The frame need to be compressed to hold the roller and the finger tabs in. They should click into place. Check out YouTube there a plenty of E-Unit rebuild videos out there. Good Luck

Thanks guys.  I actually first became aware of Jeff on this forum when I googled another issue.  I have been in contact him and it will be nice to finally order something.

So, do you think the drum became distorted from heat?  This one is only .632" end to end, the plastic teeth are not uniform and the e-unit side frames are roughly .850" apart.  The e-unit fits snug within the motor assembly side plates.

Thanks.

Yes, the drum pivots seem to melt away if the drum gets hot from poor electrical connections. It's been my experience that the e-units are weak link in the circuit and a poor connection just about anywhere on the motor will make the drum hot enough to melt away the pivots on the drum and make it either perform poorly (skips) or won't work at all. A clean commutator and brush holder tubes will cure some of the issues. Solder joints and wiring are other places to look.  Good luck with it. I think a new drum and some inspection and cleaning will get you going again.