12-26-2015, 03:00 PM
Hi rtraincollector
You have to figure out if it is the drum or the plunger that is binding. Some people think that they should lubricate these, and with time the lubricant dries out and gets hard or sticky. Or in the worst case they use some thing like WD40 that melts or distorts the plastic. These should never be lubricated regardless of what you use because it will collect dust and dirt and eventually start to bind. The drum and plunger are plastic on metal, thus self lubricating. The only way to service an E unit is to remove it from the engine and disassemble it.
I have an E unit vise and spreader tool for this but it can be done by holding it in your hand and using a large flat screwdriver to spread the sides to remove the drum, contacts and plunger. If its oil and dirt I use a good grease cutting dish detergent to clean the parts. If its distortion of the plastic I use a drill bit or a small round file to clean out the plunger hole in the electric coil. If its the pins on the contact drum, you could try a jewelers flat file to try to restore the bearing surfaces. I also polish the electrical contacts on the drum and the contact fingers.
Re-assemble by placing all the parts back in as they came out, lining up the brace pin with its hole and it should pop back together.
I hope this helps you.
You have to figure out if it is the drum or the plunger that is binding. Some people think that they should lubricate these, and with time the lubricant dries out and gets hard or sticky. Or in the worst case they use some thing like WD40 that melts or distorts the plastic. These should never be lubricated regardless of what you use because it will collect dust and dirt and eventually start to bind. The drum and plunger are plastic on metal, thus self lubricating. The only way to service an E unit is to remove it from the engine and disassemble it.
I have an E unit vise and spreader tool for this but it can be done by holding it in your hand and using a large flat screwdriver to spread the sides to remove the drum, contacts and plunger. If its oil and dirt I use a good grease cutting dish detergent to clean the parts. If its distortion of the plastic I use a drill bit or a small round file to clean out the plunger hole in the electric coil. If its the pins on the contact drum, you could try a jewelers flat file to try to restore the bearing surfaces. I also polish the electrical contacts on the drum and the contact fingers.
Re-assemble by placing all the parts back in as they came out, lining up the brace pin with its hole and it should pop back together.
I hope this helps you.
Robert
Modeling the Canadian National prairie region in 1959.
Modeling the Canadian National prairie region in 1959.