I have heard before of people installing z-scale MT couplers on the front of KATO E and F units. I must admit the n-scale ones are way too big in my opinion. So if anyone has done it which MT z-scale one did you use (903's)? Any modifications needed to the pilots and can the clip be reutilized or did you have to utilize the screw? Thanks. Jeff
I always just put a screw in instead of the clip. 903s are what i use. Theyre surprisingly strong with the lengths of trains i run on my friends layout.
drasko,for us not to clever fellas,can you or somebody else show me/us what you mean by screw instead of clip? Im looking at z couplers but dont know anything about them......yet! Cheers Stu
The "clip" is the piece shown at the upper left. It has the post that goes throught the hole in the coupler to hold it in place. To use a screw, you have to drill and tap a hole in the part shown on the right. For the 903, the hole would probably need to be located in the small notch at the front of the couler pad. On the older split frame F units, you have to be careful putting a screw for any coupler there to be sure it does not stick out the top and short the two halves together.
Thanks for posting a pic russ. Its not all too hard to place a 903 in front as long as you watch your screw adn make sure it wont short like russ said. Honestly, just give it a shot on one A unit and see how you like it!
It's almost a taboo subject - installing MT Z-Scale couplers on N Scale equipment. The size of the 903/905's (assembled 903's) more closely approximates the correct size of a coupler. It does require a bit of shimming and fine tuning to get the Z Scale couplers to work automatically on a consistent basis. When pushing a piece of rolling stock with a Z Scale coupler in the "delayed" position with a locomotive equipped with an N Scale MT coupler, I often have to push the Z scale coupler back into center because they seem to get stuck easily. Also, the 903/905's have long draft gear boxes that can interfere with diesel trucks. But they certainly are a vast improvement when installed on E and F unit models.
It's hardly anything close to being taboo. It's just more work and expense than most people want. You might use a touch of dry lube on the Z coupler to help it to return to center. Be aware there is a limit of 50-60 cars on the flat when using Z couplers, probably not a problem for most of us. The knuckle will just give and open up. Also there's less tolerance for floppiness using Z couplers.
