Kato Mikado loose pilot

[Iain]

I pulled apart my Mikado turned 2-8-4 today to cut the little boiler mounting tabs off the frame.  When I put it back together, however, the pilot was loose, and there is a gap between the bottom of the frame and top of the pilot.  Since it's loose, the cylinders are also now a bit loose.  However, I'm pretty sure I didn't lose anything (except it seems I have).

So, the question therefore is what goes in that gap?  Can I just shim it with styrene?

[Chris333]

There is a little U shaped plastic piece that goes there.

[Iain]

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Is that it there on the left?  How does it go in there?  It doesn't seem to want to fit but one way, and that one way doesn't support the pilot.

[Chris333]

It's the front of the steam chest. It goes like this:



The pilot itself should have 2 wings that tuck into each cylinder. The cylinders should spread apart away from the frame, Tuck the pilot into them and squeeze the cylinders back to the frame.


Other than that I have no idea what's going on.

[Iain]

Interesting, as that was the only way I could get it on, and the pilot was still extremely loose, flopping around.

[glakedylan]

not knowing if it will help
as I have not tried such a kitbash and not overly experienced with the loco
but could you provide a photo of the back side of that piece that only seems
to fit in one place and one way.
just wondering if there is anything on the back side that might add info
to this question's answer.
fwiw

sincerely--

[Mike C]

  Will re-installing the pilot stays and steps firm it up ?

[mmagliaro]

When you slide the pilot in, and then push the cylinders back in from the sides, they should frame the pilot and keep it from flopping around.

Can you post a close-up photo from the front, boiler shell off, showing how you have put the pilot back in and
the cylinders back in.    That pilot is sometimes confusing.   It can feel like it's in and the cylinders are back in, but
they can be in wrong and the pilot will be loose.

[Lemosteam]

Take a second look at Crhis333's picture- I discovered this while working on my I1- note that one cylinder casting is higher than the other.  it can be installed in two positions, one is correct.  If I am not mistaken the lower position is the correct one.  This position is what traps the pilot and snaps the cylinder to it.

[strummer]

I'll bet that's it; hadn't noticed that before. Good spotting.

Mark in Oregon