Need help with a Kato EMD GP50

yellow_cad Dec 20, 2017

  1. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    One worm gear goes and the other doesn't. I need to know how to get the motor unit off the chassis so I can see why one worm is not being driven by the motor. Thanks for any help. Jim
     
  2. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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  3. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, but I found that site and it was very useful, but not quite enough info. I would love to find a link for someone that has the N-Scale Magazine article mentioned in the spookshow article.
     
  4. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Try contacting the publisher for back issue availability?
     
  5. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    There was no email address for Kato so I called them and they have nothing on older models such as mine.
     
  6. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    With the body shell off, can you see a Phillips head screw on one side at each end? (I'm trying to recall what these look like inside). If so, pop off the fuel tank and remove the two Phillips head screws. The halves should come apart. Pull them apart slowly and observe, so as to avoid spilling the drive components. This way you'll know how it should go back together. The trucks will drop away intact.
     
  7. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    Four long screws seem to connect the motor and drive unit to the chassis (one screw also secures a conductor/shield to the motor and drive assembly), but when I remove these four screws, I still can't remove the motor and drive unit from the chassis with reasonable pressure. I need to see the underneath side of the motor and drive unit so I can determine why the motor is only driving one worm gear and not the other.
     
  8. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    hi I have 6 of the kato gp50's. the problem you are having is the universals slip from ware. you need to get the gp38 upgrade motor drive joiners to replace the universals. I did to all my gp50's and they run great. to get to the motor leave the fuel tank on do not remove it that way the truck holders will stay in place. remove the four screws, shield and light board. there are two plastic clips at each end of the frame that hold the weight and motor to the frame. take a small screwdriver and unclip one end to free the weight from the frame.
     
  9. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    Where can I get gp38 upgrade motor drive joiners? Do you have a part number for this part? Thanks, Jim
     
  10. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    go to the kato site and look on gp38-2(revised) the part no. is 07-0316
     
  11. yellow_cad

    yellow_cad TrainBoard Member

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    OK, I see what happened. The drive coupler on one end slipped on the motor shaft to where the shaft protruded into the half coupler more than needed. The little drive piece that went between the two half couplers (niddle joint) was missing. I pulled the half coupler on the end that had slipped and it seemed firm. So, my question is what actual pieces are provided in part number 07-0316? Kato's price is $1 and it say 2 each. I sure do appreciate the info on disassembly. Jim
     
  12. ns737

    ns737 TrainBoard Supporter

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    you replace all of the couplings with the upgrade joiner whit is one piece for each side. it is making the flywheels and motor like one. my gp50's can pull 45 50ft cars with just one engine and I have one gp50 that I pull my 60 roadrailers with. and believe me those coupler halfs will not last. you need to do the upgrade. that is way kato did it to the gp38's. it is the same fix for the 50's.ED
     

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