38 replies to this topic

[tallman8251]

Hello all:

 

New to the forum and slot Cars sort of...

 

So my father passed recently and while cleaning out the house I found our old Strombecker race set from many moons ago.

I am trying to get it running and again and am trying to find tires and motors for the cars.

 

I have the following cars.

 

Lola Chevy

Olds-powered Special

Ford GT

American Coupe

 

The two of them run sort of but need new tires, the others are DOA.... They need new motors and tires.

From my lurking I have determined that the motor is the Wasp motor..

 

Would like to find a replacement drop in, without doing any modifications to it.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

[Isaac S.]

First, it is not Stromberg but Strombecker. 

 

I have never heard it called a Wasp but a Hemi. The motor is the normal Strombecker Hemi made by Igarachi. This is also the later model with 2 green endbell's. 

 

Cannot find replacement's to my knowledge but they do come up on Ebay often. I would simply take it apart, clean the commutator, check brushes. (this would probably work). These motors are very simple. 

 

Tires can be found on EJ's Hobbies. EJ's also has replacement brush sets so if a brush spring is broken than you could get one there. https://ejshobbies.com/index.htm

 

There is no need to worry about re-magnetizing as all this can be done without taking the armature out. The brushes/commutator are on the side across from the pinion gear. 

 

While you are at it I would drill a hole in the endbell for cooling/inspection and it looks like yours needs some lead wires but you didn't include that in your list of problems. 

[Isaac S.]

To make sure the track works correctly, first test the power supply to see if it is working to it's full potential. Then put together the track and sand the rails with some light sandpaper (I usually use 800 grit). Then get a wet paper towel and clean the rails, make sure it is barely wet or they will rust. Then it should work pretty good. 

[Arne Saknussem]

Ebay is a very good place to look for old parts. There are all kinds of Strombecker bits are up there most of the time.

[tallman8251]

Wow you guys are fast!.... 

One of the motors is toast............ The leads are all melted off.... Some kid years ago tried to do something to it and messed it up....LOL... Not sure who that would be.....

 

How do you take one of these apart with out wrecking it? That kid still can destroy stuff with the best of em..LOL

 

So If I am looking for a replacement motor if I could find it, would it be just called a Hemi? Or is there something else I need to know? 

 

Yep need some lead wires too, but I figure I might be able to make them or something.,..

 

I was able to get two of the cars running around the track but the tires are so dry rotted they dont really move well if at all...   

[Isaac S.]

I have some lead wire coming tomorrow (hopefully) and I could send some to you. I will just have you pay for shipping (55 cents). I will PM you when it comes. 

 

Look here on ebay-https://www.ebay.com...4782/bn_1925352 and watch the newly listed. 

 

This seller also has many old 1/32 parts and he is very easy to deal with. I emailed him once and in a matter of hours I was able to buy an Eldon motor. https://www.ebay.com...872.m2749.l2754

 

Just because the leads have been over-soldered doesn't mean it is toast either. 

 

Just bend back the little clips that are crimped into the endbell and then you can pull it off. Don't bend them too far, they snap very easily. 

 

Make sure to solder the leads correctly though. Solder the wire and then solder it onto the motor. 

 

Tires are SUPER expensive in my book also so I have an 80/20 mix of STP and lighter fluid and once rubbed into the tires and allowed to soak in they are fairly soft but it doesn't fix cracks, cracks can be filled in with rubber gasket maker. 

[tallman8251]

Isaac:

 

Thanks for the good info, yep been trolling Ebay and Craigslist for parts.

Check out my handi work back in the day.. LOL  I dont think that one is recoverable. LOL.. Maybe the insides for parts.

When you say end bell is that the side with the gear or without?

 

I actually have the missing leads. Just need to solder them on to my one other motor that actually works. Thank you though appreciate the gesture....

I will try to take apart the really damaged motor first and see how that goes before I attempt the other non working motor..., I tried hooking juice up to both of them on the solder joints and did not get anything so I pretty sure they are done.

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[Isaac S.]

All good ideas, I do think the one is too far gone. 

 

I would say both are "endbell's" but the one with the brushes is on the side opposite of the gear. 

 

Make to to contact that ebay seller I bet he would be able to find something for you. 

[Gary Bluestone]

Sorry to disagree !!! DON'T Sand the rails. That will remove the zinc coating which prevents rust ! Use a metal polish like Solvol Autosol of Flitz or clean with an eraser or ink eraser. The green motors are Wasp. Very difficult to rebuild  because  of the 2 part plastic can. In the last years a smaller motor was fitted with a plastic spacer but they weren't great. The upgrade is the chrome can however I usually looked for other scrap cars to find motors. EJ's may have brush parts. You may have some luck by just oiling the bearings, cleaning the commutator without disassembling the can, using electrical  cleaning fluid, making sure the brushes and springs are fitted and adding lead wires. The wasps run great when they are set up properly.

[Gary Bluestone]

The wasp doesn't have an endbell like others. The brushes and springs are held in the plastic motor case with some fold over tabs.

[Gary Bluestone]

Paul Gage may make that tire which has a centre rib or groove. The EJ's tires I got were for Revell and flat inside. If the old tires are not cracked, they may be sanded.

[don.siegel]

Tires are usually hopeless and a urethane replacement will transform the car's performance; if they've got a center groove, don't think Paul Gage or EJ's does those. Try Electric Dreams if they still handle the Ortmann tires from Germany - he makes a very wide range! 

 

Do check ebay for these motors, a lot of them pop up and shouldn't be too expensive. But do follow Isaac's advice for taking the motors apart if needed; not too hard and lots of fun! 

 

Don 

[Bill from NH]

When you check a Paul Gage eBay auction, his store lists a 1/32 Strombecker tire category in bright yellow at the bottom of the first page. 

[Isaac S.]

Gary, I also hate to disagree but the definition of an endbell is a "brush holder" so I say that the Strombecker motors still have an endbell. 

 

Thanks for the extra info on the name. This is interesting as they still have many Hemi roots and parts. 

 

For what Pete is doing I don't think disassembly should be very difficult. I do agree that oiling the bearings is a good idea though. 

 

I never knew about the zinc coating, that is very interesting.  I would definitely agree with you on polishing instead of sanding. 

 

I do agree that the Hemi 300 is an upgrade though, they are vary fast and fun.

[tallman8251]

Thank you Everyone! I am a little nervous to take apart the motor though especially with the mention of springs....

 

So is a Hemi 300 a drop in motor?

[Isaac S.]

I do not specifically know but it could be. It would still be an Ebay find and more expensive at that. See picture. 

[don.siegel]

I think the Strombecker Hemi is a bit bigger than their Wasp, but to be checked. 

 

In any case, the Wasp would be a lot more affordable, as would the "standard" version of the Hemi, the TC-32, with blue endbell. If I get a chance I'll try to check the fit - but it's 3 days before Christmas, and my clients have woken up! 

 

Don 

[Isaac S.]

 

Here is a side by side I found, looks very similar. 

 

You should be able to get a used TC-32 for less than $10 I would say, same with the Wasp I would say. But why not pay $20 for a fast motor. Could even get the Hemi 400 or a rewound one for about 25-30. The Hemi 400 is balanced and I think it has a better wind too. 

[don.siegel]

It's the Hemi 300 - the Hemi 400 is the 36D sized model. But you don't really need higher performance on a home track - and the TC32 is already a pretty good motor! 

 

They do look pretty much the same. 

 

Don 

[Bob Lalich]

The TC-32 is definitely bigger than the Wasp motors. The TC-32 also has a screw-in brush holder, rather than the press fit cap found on the Wasp. The Hemi will not fit the common Strombecker black plastic chassis, which I would guess is the chassis found in the cars listed at the beginning of this thread.

If you do not want to attempt repairing the old Wasp motors or finding working ones, there is an adapter for standard S-can motors which will then fit the black plastic Strom chassis. I have replaced all the green Wasp motors in my Strombecker cars with the black plastic chassis. Here is an example. You will note that I have also replaced the stock axles and wheels. The motor in this Cheetah is a performance version of the S-can, and the car is among the fastest non-magnet cars in my stable.

 

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[Isaac S.]

Thanks for the good info guys! I always thought the 400 was just the Hi-Po version but now I know which one is the 36D Hemi. 

[Alchemist]

Belated "Greetings and welcome" Pete!

 

My condolence in regards to your father's passing!

 

Rediscovering your vintage slot car items that you shared with your father and wanting to resurrect them, to me, is a great tribute to your father as well as keeping his spirit alive!

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

The brethren of this website are all very knowledgeable and always ready and willing to assist each other, which is why I value the camaraderie here.

 

I too am still learning about slot cars, with what I had missed in my youth.

 

Have fun "restoring" your slot cars Pete!

 

The Strombecker/Pactra Hemi motor is my all time favorite motor!

 

Happy Holidays everyone!

 

Ernie

[tallman8251]

Thank you all again..

So I took apart one end of the bell housing and parts fell out...

So Any idea how this goes back together?  One of the springs went inside the Metal Pin still in the housing... is that pin supposed to float / Move?

The other pin goes in the other side but was laying in the bell housing when I took it apart....

 

Any ideas where I can get a motor and adapter like the one shown by Bob?

 

the Blue bell motor looks like it may work?!!   Looked on Ebay for Both and of course nothing there... Instant Gratification is not in my future I guess.

 

I am originally from Burbs of Chicago, my dad was truck driver.... I have the old manual that came with the set and was looking at the address of the company..

Makes me wonder if he got it straight from the factory, he was good at picking things up like that from the factory.....Kind of cool thinking that he possibly got it right from the factory...

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[don.siegel]

Just did a quick search; here are some possibilities: 

 

https://www.ebay.com...0EAAOSw5EFf394m

 

https://www.ebay.com...0EAAOSw5EFf394m

 

https://www.ebay.com...NwAAOSw49tf2QeT

 

Not as many as I thought, but a lot of these types of motors are in miscellaneous lots, not identified as Strombecker. 

 

Where are you from in Montana? My cousin married a gal from Billings and I've been there a few times. 

 

Don 

[tallman8251]

Thanks Don, Saw those... Actually keeping an eye on the yellow one.

Still hoping to just get a motor to get the old cars back up and running.

My 7 year old daughter thinks they are pretty cool and we have been playing around a bit with them so even more incentive to get things working

 

I am over west of Bozeman,  Billings is COVID central right now...  Poor folks are having a rough go of it.....