12-10-2013, 11:15 AM
I recently replaced the pilot trucks on my Athearn Mikados with those from the Bachmann 2-8-4. I had to lengthen the tang for the mounting screw in order for the outside bearings to miss the cylinders, and this caused the front of the truck to rub against the draught gear box of the Kadee #5 coupler used on the pilot.
Kadee offers the #153 coupler, their shortest shank whisker-style coupler, but it comes with the #242 draught gear box, which is as long as the #5, but even thicker. However, the #153 coupler will fit into the #5 box, and almost all of the material behind the pivot post can be removed. If you need a longer coupler in order to clear the pilot, I'm sure that other versions of the whisker coupler will work equally well in the #5 box.
To mount the coupler box securely, either drill and tap the pilot beam or deck to accept a 2-56 screw, or, if a smaller screw is needed, plug the mounting hole in the Kadee box with Evergreen .080" styrene rod, and once the cement has cured, drill it out with a clearance hole for the size of screw being used, then drill and tap the pilot for the screw. This will give you a fully insulated front coupler with self-centering.
Wayne
Kadee offers the #153 coupler, their shortest shank whisker-style coupler, but it comes with the #242 draught gear box, which is as long as the #5, but even thicker. However, the #153 coupler will fit into the #5 box, and almost all of the material behind the pivot post can be removed. If you need a longer coupler in order to clear the pilot, I'm sure that other versions of the whisker coupler will work equally well in the #5 box.
To mount the coupler box securely, either drill and tap the pilot beam or deck to accept a 2-56 screw, or, if a smaller screw is needed, plug the mounting hole in the Kadee box with Evergreen .080" styrene rod, and once the cement has cured, drill it out with a clearance hole for the size of screw being used, then drill and tap the pilot for the screw. This will give you a fully insulated front coupler with self-centering.
Wayne