Swapped a postwar-style motor into MPC GP7/GP9?

The frames on MPC Geeps have a large area punched out to accept their one-piece motor truck assembly.
Postwar and later modern era Geeps use a two piece power truck assembly that require a relatively small hole that is somewhat keyhole shaped.

In order to fit the postwar style power truck, I guess you'd have to fill in the original hole with some sort of plate that was punched to accept the replacement motor truck. I do not know anybody who has done it, nor have I seen one that had been done. Somewhere someone probably has.

I think it would be easier to find a postwar chassis, and mount the MPC Geep shell. Lots of folks do this.

I Like MPC stuff, it is not junk as far as I am concerned.
IMHO, the motors used in those Geeps, and in the other diesels of the time were better than the motors that the Lionel Corp was using the last few years in their ALCOs and switchers. Yes, the last Geep Lionel Corp. made had a better motor, but it was last offered in 1966.
I guess some folks did have a problem with MPC diesel motors having the plastic worm gear breaking loose from its axle. I never ran into that problem with my own stuff.

Alan P,

I concur with CW on the chassis being different. That is easy to overcome. There are a few Lionel Dealers on the bay that sell NOS chassis and all the other parts you may need. (not expensive either). If you want, my email is in my profile.

Some of the PW GEEPs has a riveted or spot welded motor mounting plate.  I removed that plate from a scrap chassis to do my Phantom dual motor upgrade.  Are some of them build without the separate plate?

John, I do not believe any postwar GEEP has that plate. It was a Fundimensions introduction - first on the 8477 NYC.

That could well be Rob, I didn't know the vintage of the old frame I got.  I was told it was a GEEP frame, and it had the truck and motor I needed, a perfect fit.  

Several years ago i took a GEEP frame and attached a brass plate in which i had cut Keyhole shaped hole in (used a Williams frame as a pattern), and then added a Williams FM can motor. Put a Lionel Rectifier body on it. It was a great puller. Sold it a few years ago or i'd post a pic.

jackson

Thanks, everyone. I ask because I have an MPC B&M 8654 Geep I'm really attached to. I have the shell riding on a later LTI chassis but I wondered if I could make the original frame work, and also power a second unit the same way. (I don't like the color of the new "Paul Revere" engine and the postwar Geeps are still quite pricey for what they are IMO.)

It's fun to experiment and produce something you prefer.  If the project seems overwhelming, set it aside for a day and return with a clear mind.  Usually where there's a will there's a way.

On a similar note, I took the workings from a Pullmor motored GP7 with TMCC and transferred them into an MPC Budd RDC.  Then the remaining parts went back into the GP7.  It basically ended up being a swap of chassis' and shells but was really a bit more complicated than that sounds.

Bruce

I don't know enough to comment on that, except to say that the 8477 was unique during its period of production (1984). According to Greenberg's, its power truck was similar (though not identical) to the older Lionel postwar trucks of the Geeps produced in the 1950s. It was different from other Lionel Geeps being made then, and was a sought-after engine at the time.

That's what I do, drop MPC shells on LTI and later chassis that are equipped with TMCC and RS, directional lighting, electrocouplers, etc. I've found these chassis' and motors to be very robust.

The MPC GP motor truck is similar to the PW 44 ton switcher motor truck in the way they mount to frames, and the frame openings are the same. The PW 44 ton truck has magnetraction and no nylon gears, but those 600 series PW switchers were not the best runners either in different ways. The PW truck will fit the MPC frame, but there's also an odd wedge shape that's built into the side of the MPC motor truck, but it's not on the PW truck. Something about that wedge shape made it not an exact fit, but it could fit with some modification.

8010-105 "Pivot Bearing"

Alan P,

It has been my experience over the years, this one thing rings true. With Lionel nothing is written in stone. This is why we often find so many, "un-cataloged" pieces. Lionel would often use parts from many different eras to create so many special this and that's. So many of their diesel engines fall into this group. Especially the low end sets. Granted it might take you a while checking at local shows. Check the bargain boxes under the seller's tables.