More Le Mans Motor Lovin'

[Coelacanth]

I was finally able to get some restoration done on some incomplete Le Mans motors I had stashed in a Ziploc bag, with a big thanks and shout-out to Craig from New Zealand, cas22 on the forum. We traded some parts and what came my way--after a nearly 2 month wait--was a NIP Le Mans Gold endbell. I've had a sticker-less 480 Gold can and everything BUT the endbell for years and you know how it is when you have something you just can't complete, it just bugs and eats at you. Well, after years of having that feeling, I can now complete that 480 Gold!

[GeneralZod]

Those Le Mans are some of the prettiest motors ever made. Now she just needs some new clothes!

[Coelacanth]

I had previously done a mix-and-match while restoring an otherwise pristine blue 480S can--because I had 2 of the blue plastic endbells in really bad condition--using a Gold endbell on it because the motor was excellent except for the shabby endbells. I also have a 360 Gold in need of restoration. So with the addition of the Gold endbell I received from Craig, I can now complete restoration on two motors, not just one. However, here's what I had to work with, this is the better of the two 480S blue endbells. Yikes. Dreadful blobs of solder everywhere, solder gun melting of the blue plastic in places...I honestly don't know why I didn't throw it out, it looked so bad, I might've thought it was a goner. But I figured I'd try to rescue it.

After carefully removing the solder all over the place, the most challenging part being the brushes soldered directly to the brush hoods, and a good toothbrushing with WD-40 to clean everything up, it actually looked like it might be a survivor.

Now, I'll be able to swap the Gold endbell installed on my good 480S onto my 360 Gold when I restore it, and put this now-half-decent rescue victim blue endbell on my 480S.

[RC10th]

Looking good

I still kick myself every time I see a Le Mans as my local hobby shop owner said he'd give me a good deal on Le Mans motors. He had stacks and stacks left over but I failed to take any as I was a Reedy guy.

If only I could go back in time

[Coelacanth]

And finally, my Le Mans motor lineup is done. 240ST (meh), 480S, 480 Gold, 240SB and 360 Gold. It's missing quite a few but now I have 2 more completed motors instead of parts in a bag, thanks to Craig's Gold endbell.

[1300GT]

Hey! What's wrong with the 240ST? At least it's not a Mega Motor.

I know, they just don't grab your attention like the three piece can Le Man's.

Are you going to get a reproduction 480 Gold sticker or try to find an original?

[coxbros1]

the 240st is one of the greatest little rippers out there!

[R6cowboy]

Beautiful lineup. Those motors look so nice.

[Coelacanth]

Hey! What's wrong with the 240ST? At least it's not a Mega Motor.

I know, they just don't grab your attention like the three piece can Le Man's.

Are you going to get a reproduction 480 Gold sticker or try to find an original?

I don't like motors that you can't remove the endbell and do a proper job of cleaning and restoration. The 240ST is indeed a fantastic budget high-performance motor, but the fact you can't disassemble it--unless you risk mangling the can by bending the tabs retaining the endbell--and that it doesn't have an aluminum endbell--and because it's the most common of all the Le Mans motors--means it doesn't end up on my list of desirable motors.

Wasn't there a guy who did reproduction stickers with the correct metallic shine? Was that MCI? I can't remember. I might consider buying a 480 Gold and 360 Gold sticker for my motors because theirs are both a little flawed and marked up.

[coxbros1]

The guy is Ultrahive.....unbelievable decals....problem is he will blacklist u even if u try to move his products!

[Coelacanth]

The guy is Ultrahive.....unbelievable decals....problem is he will blacklist u even if u try to move his products!

Ahh, I was afraid it might be him. I won't even bother trying to contact him. I've had no experience buying from him, good nor bad, but the reputation definitely preceeds him.

[coxbros1]

sux too cause i have had his le mans decals....off the hook!

[TheDiamondOne]

240s is lemans overall greatest motor, considering money, looks, power, etc.

[Coelacanth]

For me, it's the 240SB. It's an absolute beast, I consider it the top dog, performance-wise, of the classic Le Mans motors. But I hear you, the brown anodized aluminum isn't quite as eye-catching as the red 240S.