Doodlebug Question

[765 Fan]

For the first release of the EMC Gas Electric (Doodlebug), how does one remove the body from the chassis for servicing and lubrication?

[rogertra]

Well, you did ask: -

They are a bugger to open up, but here's how I went about it. There are
4 tabs on each side of the underframe that engage with slots in the
glazing material. Starting from the rearmost pair, which are directly
above the rear wheel of the rear truck, I carefully spread the body
shell with 2 thin steel rules. When the tabs were disengaged I held the
sides of the body shell out with some tapered wooden skewers. I happened
to have some, but I reckon toothpicks would be suitable as well.

Moving to the next tab, which is above the triple valve/air reservoir,
repeat the process. The next tabs are above the battery box/fuel tank -
do the same again. The last tabs are halfway between the baggage
compartment doors and the grab irons behind the cab. When you spread the
body shell here the underframe should drop out.

Once the body and frame are separated, there are a number of
modifications that I made to cut down on the noise. I removed the
glazing material from the sides of the body shell, then cut away and
discarded the portion that is adjacent to the motor. You can replace the
glazing on the baggage door with thin clear styrene or similar.

The important thing is to prevent the PC board on top of the motor from
touching the glazing - it transfers vibrations from the motor to the
body and makes it act like a sounding board. While you're at it, remove
the piece of thick black paper that sits under the PC board. It also
buzzes and vibrates. I placed a tiny dob of Blu-Tak under the PC board
when reattaching it, also as an anti vibration measure.


Cheers

Roger.

[765 Fan]

I suspected that was the case but since breaking things is one of my specialties, I decided to ask for help. Your reply is particularly helpful with the location of the tabs...
Thanks again...

Dan