Restoring an old friend, my Mantua Pacific

[ocalicreek]

It is easier and less risky to shim the motor up from behind in order to tighten or close the gap between gears, than it is to file away any material from the motor cradle or frame. I have a replacement motor in my Mantua Shifter from Yardbird Trains, and in order to get it to mesh properly I opted to file a little away from the motor cradle in order to widen the gap between gear teeth.

I'm sure there are good articles on line somewhere (or in print) about motor gear mesh, but essentially you want to find the goldilocks zone - not too loose, nor too tight but just right. Too loose and it may grind and growl. Too tight and it may bind and use too much amperage.

I recommend checking the free-rolling characteristics of the wheels first with the motor removed to make sure they're not binding. Lube as necessary. Then mount the motor, tightening the screw through the frame until it is tight. Now examine the gear mesh. If it is too tight you can loosen the motor, slip a strip of typing paper or at most a business card under the front of the motor mount and retighten the screw. Now check the mesh. Same process for a loose mesh, only put the paper under the rear of the motor mount. Either way you want to be able to retighten the screw so that the motor is secure.

Hope this helps,

Galen