[T-Man]

The video's have to uploaded to a site like You tube, Then the link is added here under the media button

 

[T-Man]

You have to watch it with the shell off. Look at the armature spinning to see if it rises a lot. Maybe there is a ball bearing missing. Make sure the oil is on all of the axles it could be a stubborn dry spot.

 

[T-Man]

Lionel stopped using Supplements online when they had their big redo. For MPC you want Lionel Supplement 1-9.
If you are lucky it can be found in a Internet archive. Some Lionel parts are timeless so you can find a modern day replica of it. Look for a modern day engine close to yours. The most wanted item for MPC switchers is the trucks and couplers. They break.

 

[T-Man]

Try oiling the gear shafts, no grease. Did you check the worm gear under the armature?

 

[T-Man]

Remove the brushplate and pull the armature up. You may have to disconnect a wire. The axle will have the worm gear. It is shot. Post a picture of it.

 

[T-Man]

The truck will have to come off. Sooner or later. It does not matter.
Next engine you get. check that gear first. That is the one that needs the grease.
See if you can get the part number for that gear.

 

[T-Man]

Your first post says nothing about the spinning armature.
How many times have I showed the armature plates after cleaning. The Brush plate always gets wiped down and the brush holders are cleaned.
The top bearing gets oiled, and the bottom drive/worm gear gets greased. This is where you read about cleaning out old grease. In this area, the old grease hardends up. What happens over time the wheel bearings wear out. With this extra space the brass worm gear wears out to the point the teeth are slipping.

This problem is found in the initial inspection but was overlooked this time.
The clue was watching the wheels trying to turn and never settle on a constant rpm.

Brass worm gear and two axle bearings.

 

[T-Man]

There could be a wire holding it down. They are tight fitting pry it up from two sides.
No, leave the thrust bearing screw alone.
When you open it you will find out if it is plastic or brass.

 

[T-Man]

Just check the worm gear all 360. It only needs one flat spot to miss.
Oil the axle oil will also soften the grease too. Oil the top bearing too by the spring.
Was there a bearing on the bottom?

 

[T-Man]

That is where it would go. A small ball bearing.

 

[T-Man]

Glad to hear it is working better. To improve the traction, you can replace the tires. If it has a problem with the incline just lengthen it out more. I discovered how worn some of my old engines are by putting them on a incline.