MT conversions

[untabubba]

I'm looking for some practical experience to help me begin my quest to convert many of my favorite cars from Rapido to MTs. I'm thinking it might be easier and better to just "swap out" the whole truck, rather than engage in hand-to-hand combat with those darn little springs! To that end I went looking and found there are quite a few types of trucks. How do I know which to use? Is there a prototypical protocol, or is it a matter of "taste"? Will they all fit? Also, I went, numbers in hand, to a very good LHS. I didn't tell the guy I had the numbers. I wanted to see what he would give me. Sure enough, he gave me a different number! I divulged the number I got from the MT website. He said they'd both work. I took the ones HE suggested and it was a breeze! No alterations required at all. So, what's up with THAT?? I'd appreciate any suggestions, stories or help anyone can give. Marc

[ginzokid]

Marc, The 1165 instructions specifically state that you have to; "...carefully cut off Rapido draft gear even with ends of both trucks." There is more cutting and gluing to be done, but yes you do have to cut off the Rapido. B-)

[untabubba]

Whay other cutting? Maybe I'll just sell the locos! Marc

[trmwf]

Marc, On your LL FA2/FB2 I think they are trying to tell you to cut off the truck mounted rapidos and body mount the 1016's with a screw to the body shell/frame. prof ps: give the pilot conversion a try...don't be a woooos!

[hba7485]

Hey you guys, I've got a RS-3 that came incomplete. The forward MT isn't attached and the rapido has been removed. What is the best cement to use for mounting the MT to the truck? The truck has 4 stubs protruding at where I'm guessing the MT actually mounts inside the protrusions. What's the scoop? BB

[trmwf]

I think you have lost me on this one Blane. Something doesn't sound right. Need more info or a picture. prof

[hba7485]

Didn't mean to lose ya Prof. I thought a photo might help & posted one in my album. The previous coupler has been cut off with the exception of the four corner nubs of plastic that still protrudes from the face of the truck. I'm guessing it was part of the housing for the original rapido style as it's an old Atlas loco. If the pix doesn't turn out I'll try another but the one I've posted has the best detail of what I'm talking about. BB

[hba7485]

Well I did post a photo but it doesn't seem to want to show up. I'll have to try again tomorrow. Sorry prof. BB

[beastranger]

Blane What make of engine is it, Kato, Atlas? Punk

[ginzokid]

Marc, There is some cutting or filing to be done to the front of the chassis and the bottom of the front lead weight. Then there is a pilot adaptor that has to be glued into the opening etc. I thought you said you downloaded the instructions? You can read the whole process with pictures too if you actually have the conversion kit. Try one or send it to me like I said. Blane, No one's pictures are there at the moment. I'm sure it will show up later. Your Atlas RS-3 calls for a MT 1015 conversion that should fit into the existing front pilot hole, with the shim installed down, if the original coupler was body mounted. If the coupler was truck mounted, which sounds like your case, you need MT 1152 conversion. The truck mounted coupler is cut off. Then this will require that the conversion pilot be glued into the loco pilot opening. This new pilot will then take a 1025 or 1027 coupler that is mounted with a 00-90 screw to the body. Generally it is never recommended that you glue a MT coupler box to anything. There is a good chance that some glue will get into the mechanism and ruin the coupler movement. Always use a screw to mount the coupler housing. B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, I said I downloaded the guide...meaning the price and conversion number guide. I didn't see actual instructions.....I bet you gotts to buy the pro-duck to get that! Jeeze, now you got me fiddlin' with the dang lead weights!! I can't afford the brain cells! Aw heck, I'll just buy one...one of these days. Marc

[ginzokid]

Marcus, What is a "pro-duck"? Just send me the damn engine or what ever it is and I'll convert it for you and you can reimburse me for the parts and labor. Oh, wait! You still use money orders. I'll have to charge you extra for that. You see I have to drive 12 miles to the nearest bank and then wait in line for the stupid Canadian teller, can't use the "ugly teller" (ATM) even though all the tellers are really ug...homely, where was I?; oh yes, the Canadian teller to figure out the exchange rate from US dollars to Canadian and then she has to ask me if I want to put it in my Canadian or US dollar account, which is a stupid question since I could just make out the deposit slip for the US dollar account by myself and not have to worry about the exchange, so I obviously wanted to put this check into my Canadian dollar account and therefore had to involve the ug...homely teller in the first place, which will take time and effort on my part to control my ever increasing blood pressure and Sicilian temper and that is why I have to charge you extra for sending me a money order instead of using an instant transfer of funds through, dare I say it to you, yes I will, PAYPAL! Now where were we.... B-) & :x

[untabubba]

THAT'S IT!! I'm putting them all up for sale on ebay! (They are mostly Bachmanns anyway!) Pete, I had no idea!! It really IS the fifties up there, isn't it?!? Seriously, I guess I had never fully appreciated the knothole you Canadians get pulled through to process an American money order...ug...I mean, homely, tellers not withstanding! NAH, You know me by now! I'm whining at the moment, but in a week or so I'll be crowing about my success! I'm confident I can do it....I just have to DO IT! Marc

[untabubba]

Pete, Actually, I'm softening Denise up by proposing a shopping trip tomorrow to the outlets in Lancaster, Pa. (Yes, I'm playing hooky!) She "needs clothes"! The angle is , the route to the stores goes right by a GREAT LHS in Strasburg, Pa. They carry a (nearly) full line of MTL parts!! ;) Marc

[ginzokid]

Marc, You said they were LL. And I still want to know what is a "pro-duck"? Are there amature ducks as opposed to the educated professional ducks? I'm about to quack up at the thought. B-)

[untabubba]

B-) I was making jest of the way some folks pronounce words. Like people that actually call it "duck-tape". The "O" is "soft" (not prO) more like "prah-duck". You've never heard anybody say it like that? Maybe it's Philly thing. ....Yes, there are professional ducks! Haven't you ever seen the AFLAC commercials? :p Marc