well if it runs its probably fine
if youre like me tho you must tinker so have it bristol fashion
i often see lots of micro grit and dirt-this will cause more wear soooooooo
heres some other items since you asked
1 i prefer graphite for external gears and rods-doesn't attract oil-thoroughly clean the protrusions onto which the rods fit and all other parts-remember the order of bushings and lock washers -a drop of oil on the rod bosses(?) the part that the rod fits onto is good-(LGB oil, as i understnad things, is in fact automatic transmission fluid)
2 depending on condition-one can disassemble and wash with detergent the whole thing but the motor (and other electrical parts-like boards)-remove all old grease and oil-dirty or dull red wheels can be brightened sometimes by using a mild bath kitchen type abrasive and toothbrush
be mindful of the tiny thrust ball bearings at each end of the motor in the motor block- dont lose them and replace them if yours has them-if its a clamshell motor block it will
3 polish the wheels and wheel backs -often there is much dirt and wear-this can really help- i power up and use a q tip and metal polish-then clean the residue
4 using lgb or other heavy lube-clean the old lube if stiff or pushed to the side, lube the worm gear insidethe motor block -modestly
if you like a gentle plastic polish can even out rough plastic or marred paint to some extent-clean all residue -dont use meths-i find it leaves a very difficult to remove white haze residue on the black plastic especially-use lighter fluid or water with a tiny touch of liquid detergent and then rinse with clean water
check headlight/ tail light receptacles for corrosion and clean with metal polish and clean all residue-same if your loco has rear socket holes-for this i use a pipe cleaner and metal polish-im fond of the german polish simichrome
5 check and replace worn or uneven pick up brushes-mind you they are sprung against the wheels-use care when removing the wheels-otherwise they go into orbit-work over a towel to reduce bounce
-yours may be screw onto axel type wheels-use the same care and gentleness when replacing as the brushes are brittle- if sold wheel and axel sets use more care not to guillotine the brucsh when setting the axel into the bloc housng-i do one side at a time and use a fine screw driver to push teh brush beyond the wheel back face
check for proper quartering before you re-assemble (this is a real pain on the old clamshells if you dont get it right)-ie both wheels on one side at say 6 oclock -this needs to be pretty accurate for perfect results
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replace worn shoes too-make sure they float and travel freely-a bit of graphite powder can really help
replace smoke unit if you need
repaint faded yellow bulb paint if needed-and if its really old-perhaps touch up headlamp reflector paint if it has chipped-or yellowed -and you think it appropriate
always bear in mind that it never takes forces-if it does go back and reassess
hows that?
<message edited by stevedenver on 31/08/10 09:03 PM>