I picked up a used lionel engine for a pretty good price but the only problem is some of the screw holes that hold the body to the frame are stripped out. Does anyone know if there are screws available that are slightly oversize to compensate for the stripped out holes?[;)]
Yes, your hobby/train shop should have some. Take the old one and size it up larger. I got a bunch from a guy from PA who travels to train shows with parts. We also have a nut/bolt/screw shop in Raleigh that can match anything. I’m sure you have one there in CA. Might have to let your fingres do the walking. [8D]
If you’re talking about screw holes through a plastic shell into a sheet-steel frame, you might try reclosing the holes in the metal with a punch. Use one that is somewhat larger than the hole and work against something like an anvil. The idea is to spread the metal inward from the area surrounding the hole; and it’s not that difficult to do.
Or, for a temporary fix, you could always use a good glob of blue Loctite(the removable kind). When you need to take the shell off, a turn should free the screws, and they can be pulled out.