K4 to K5 Conversion

by Hank Mummert

Courtesy of Sam Vastano

 
BOWSER PARTS 
1 #100718 I-1s Boiler Kit
1 #3-200  K-4s Mech. Kit
1 #815
#91045 
Pilot or
Brass Pilot (not needed if doing modernized engine)
1 #70168 M-1a Cylinders
1 #70165 M-1a Cylinder Saddle
2 #70139 M-1a Cylinder heads
2 #70167 M-1a Snifter Valves
2 #70146 M-1a Upper valve gear guides (need to drill these out slightly to clear the K-4 valve gear)
1 #150630
#150635
High Side Tender (if the Bachman tender is not used) or
newer Bowser tender which is the closest to the one used on the K-5
2 #2990 USRA tender trucks (closest to K-5 type)
1 #70065 Feedwater Pump
1 #70161 Feedwater Heater (or Cary #13-137)
1 #70162 Feedwater Pipe Large
1 #70163 Feedwater Pipe Small (they go on the fireman’s side of the smoke box)
1 #70164 Pipe (cold water?)  for the engineers side of the smoke box
1 set #70123 Brass Valve Guide Hangers (Cut the ends off and the back.  Then glue the flat part onto the K-4 valve gear hanger.) 
1 #100513  K-4s Piping Assembled (You will need to study photos and slightly modify it to fit the K-5)
2 #90053 Pilot Bracket Steps
1 #90092 Left Injector
1 #90093 Right Injector
1 set #190-294 Starter Valves
1 #70274 Tank (fireman’s side in the same location as on the K-4)
1 #90332 or
#90081
Stoker Motor (needs to be modified to fit under cab and clear piping-may want to file off the back)
4 #190-377 Boiler Steps
2 #90454 Smoke Box Steps
1 #90479 Cab Vent or Hatch
1 set #190-390 Trailing Truck Bearing Plates
1 set #90061 Pilot Truck Brake Shoes
1 set #190-382 Window Shades
1 #190-378 Whistle Shield (post war engine)
1 #90450 Cinder Deflector (cab top)
2 #190-479 Ash Pans
2 #190-379 Under Cab Steps

 
CAL-SCALE PARTS
1 set #90336  Sand Pipes (closest made to K-5.  Bowser uses them for its M-1a)
4 #90328 Marker Lamps (two for pilot, two for tenders)
2
2
#90329
#13-159
Angled Marker Lamps (for upper smoke box for Pre-war) or
Marker Lamps for late 1940s-early 1950s.
K-5 5698 didn’t have upper markers from about 1940 until about 1947
1 #90413 Mechanical Lubricator (You will have to modify it to fit or use another type.  May have to modify the mounting pin and mount it to the cylinder saddle.)
1 #90424 Bell (glued to bottom of head light bracket)
1 #32111 Keystone number plate  or   use #190-238 which comes with one
For the engineer’s side cold water pipe, use about a 3/64 diameter brass wire.  You will have to study pictures of the K-5 as these changed locations over the years.  Also you might want to add a #90344 cold water pump under the engineer’s side of the cab and run the piping to it.  Similar modifications to the stoker because of under cab clearances may need to be made.
 

Photos