Lil Gasser transmission replacement

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

Does anyone know of a good to great replacement transmission for a Cannonball Lil Gasser version 2? I dont want to convert this switcher to electric.

[willy]

Dave? Which transmission are you reffering to? Can you post a pic? If it is the old one with just F-N-R you may be out of luck and need to make it something more modern with a fluid drive.

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

Willy,
It is the FNR tranny. I am looking for another which will fit in the unit with little modification either a fluid or other tranny. I emailed Rich Eaton last night and am looking forward to his reply. I noticed it looks like most switchers are now electric.

[willy]

Most of those used to be able to get from surplus suppliers.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/

Good luck getting one. If you get on the above sites mailing list and tell them what you need, they may contact you when one is available. But I would not hold much hope.

If it is the eaton 7 hydraulic transmission they are still readily available. You just need to contact a conveyors and drives supplier in your area. They will want to know the info off your unit which would say something like cwcw or ccwcw (indicating which way the engine turns on the input to direction output. Gasoline engines unless gear reduction are mostly CW, clockwise.

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

Willy,
That is very helpful. Thank you. Richard Eaton is also helping out.
Dave

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

well, took out the tranny and couldn't find a replacement or anything close so... Im getting a lesson on rebuilding it. We opened it up today and cleaned it out. The good news is the gears and bushings look and feel great! The bad news... I have to work and have to wait to re pack it with grease and put er back together. I'm taking a lot of pictures so I can write an article on the rebuild for others.

[willy]

Alot of those tranny's used fingers for keyways. All that usually happened was that some one over torqued their tractor by popping wheelies or pulling to heavy a load and would rip the fingers apart. On the larger transaxles with more speeds the ability to self service them was a pain in the tail! They would require special jigs to re-assemble. Most people after finding out what a chore it was would ditch the tranny and buy a new one.

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

After packing with grease(about 1/2 of what was in there) with assistance from Craig Adams, I bolted it up with sealant and the gears wouldn't turn.We reassembled exactly the way we took it apart and reassembled 2 more times. (It gets easier every time, but frustrating) There was to much pressure on the bushings and gears when tightened down so, I scraped off the blue RTV and got some 1/16" gasket cork and made a gasket. I put the gasket in dry after making a couple trims and everything turned smooth as a "baby's butt". So, I opened it up one last time to RTV the gasket and its a beautiful thing. Today its gonna be around 65 degrees and a beautiful day to ride trains.
WOO HOO!!! oops CHOOO CHOOO!!!!!:D

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

the Lil Gaser now runs like she was brand new!

[ncdodaveNPC#21]

So now with about 3 months of weekly running of my Gasser it still runs flawlessly! I did notice a little of slippage (in the cab) on the shifter. I corrected this by removing the rear cab wall and grinding a flat spot in the round shifter rod which links to the transmission in the front of the locomotive. I re assembled everything and the shifter handle does not slip on the round rod. Such an easy fix for the most inexperienced small engine mechanic in the hobby. That I am very pleased with the results and have no doubt I can do it again!