[R-390] RF deck, points of clarification

[Roger Ruszkowski]

Bob,

I agree with you on the gear wear and the need to hone off some of the sharp edges if needed.
But first you must determine if needed is needed.
A good cleaning and re lube goes a long way.
Maybe only a few gears need dressing and can be taken care of one at a time in the cleaning process.
Also look to see if any of the split gears are over loaded and need to be adjusted.
There is a lot of details to address in the gear train care, adjustment, lube and alignment.

Roger

I think - and correct me if I'm wrong - BUT the methods presented so far 
ill make it smoother to operate - BUT - absolutely will not resolve the 
ssues of an old RF Deck with many years of use.  The instance that I 
ave is one of the first Collins Contract R-390As.  The wear on the 
ront panel said a lot.  I did NOT find this in my '67 EAC.
The issue that first bites anyone, is the wear on the sides of the 
ears.  Chuck please chime in on this!
I feel the sides of the gears, and I can feel that very slight "edge" on 
he sides of the teeth of the gears.  You can clean, degrease, and lube 
ith any concoction you so desire.  The reality is, unless you take the 
ear train apart, gently hone the sides to remove that edge, then you'll 
ever get that spin by one finger smoothness of the gear system.
I've worked on gears of many types and cuts.  When you have "split" 
ears with a spring to take up the backlash, and they have and edge on 
he sides of the teeth, you have to fix the real issue before all this 
ubrication.
Bob - N0DGN